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 BHOPAL,
CAPITAL OF MADHYA PRADESH, is fascinating amalgam of scenic
beauty, historicity and modern urban planning. It is
situated on the site of an 11th century city, Bhojapat,
founded by Raja Bhojapal. The founder of the existing city
was, however, an Afghan soldier of fortune. Dost Mohammed
(1708-1740).
Fleeing from Delhi in the chaotic period that followed
Aurangzeb's death, Dost Mohammed encountered the beautiful
Gond queen Kamlapati, who sought his aid after the murder of
her consort. A charming legend relates how the queen would
recline in a lotus that would drift across the lake on
moonlit nights. The tow lakes of Bhopal still dominate the
city, and are indeed itsnucleus; along their shores stand
silent sentinels that testify to the growth of a city.
Bhopal today presents a multi-faceted profile; the old city
with its teeming marketplaces and fine oldmosques and palace
still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former-rulers,
among them the succession of powerful Begums who ruled
Bhopal from 1819 to 1926. Equally impressive is the new city
with-its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens,
broad avenuse andstreamlined modern edifices.
Jama Masjid have Gold spikes crown the minarets of
this beautiful mosque built in 1837 by Kudsia Begum. Moti
Masjid is Architecturally akin to Delhi's Jama Masjid, this
imposing mosque was built by Sikander Jehan, daughter of
Kudsia Begum, in 1860.The Taj-ul-Masajid is one of the
largest mosques in Asia, built by Nawab Shahjehan Begum
around a courtyard with a large tank in the centre and with
an imposing double storeyed gate-way with 4 recessed
archways and 9 imposing cusped multifoiled openings in the
main prayer hall. The Quibla wall in the prayer hall is
carved with 11 recessed arches, while the mimber is made of
black basalt. The structure is enlivened by the limpid
expanse of water in the tank outside the northern wall. The
monumentality of this structure was much greater originally
when it faced the towering bastions of the Fatehgarh Fort. A
three-day Ijtima congregation held here annually draws
people from all over the country.
Gohar Mahal
Situated behind Shaukat Mahal on the banks of the Upper Lake
is Gohar Mahal, which is an architectural gem dating back to
the times of Kudsia Begum, also known as Gohar Begum, who
built this sprawling palace in 1820. The Mahal is a
magnificent expression of the fusion of Hindu and Mughal
architecture.
Bharat Bhawan
One of the most unique national institutes in India, Bharat
Bhawan is a centre for the performing and visual arts.
Designed by renowned architect, Charles Correa, the contours
of Bharat Bhawan merge in exquisite harmony with the
landscape creating a visual impact of spacious and natural
elegance. The centre houses a museum of the arts, an art
gallery, a workshop for fine arts, a repertory theater,
indoor and outdoor auditorium, a rehearsal room and
libraries of Indian poetry, classical and folk music. Open
from 2 pm to 8 PM everyday except Mondays.
Van Vihar
This safari-park is located on a hill adjacent to the Upper
Lake, with an area of 445 hectares. In these natural
surroundings, wildlife watchers can view a variety of
herbivorous and carnivorous species. Open everyday, except
Tuesday, from 7-11 am and 3-5.30 PM
Upper and Lower Lakes
The Upper Lake is divided from the Lower Lake by an
overbridge. M. P. Tourism's Boat Club on the Upper Lake
provides facilities for exciting trips by sail, paddle and
motor boats.
Chowk
In the heart of the city, the Chowk is lined with old
mosques, havelis, reminders of a bygone era. The shops in
its narrow alleys are treasure troves of traditional Bhopali
crafts : silver jewellery, exquisitely fashioned beadwork,
embroidered and sequined velvet fashioned purses and
cushions.
Government Archaeological Museum
A fine collection of sculptures are on display here from
various parts of Madhya Pradesh. Highlights of the
collection are paintings of various schools, copies of
paintings from the Bagh caves near Mandu and the statues of
Alakshmi and the Buddha. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Laxmi Narayan Temple and Museum
This beautiful temple on the Arera Hills has a Museum
attached to it which houses a collection of sculptures from
Raisen, Sehore, Mandsaur and Shahdol districts of Madhya
Pradesh. The museum is open from 9am to 5pm everyday except
Mondays. More Museums in Madhya Pradesh
Regional Science Centre
Basically a science museum, located on the picturesque
Shamala Hills, Regional Science Centre houses about 300
participatory exhibits distributed equally in 'Invention' &
'Fun Science' galleries, and a 'taramandal' (Planetarium).
The museum remains open from 10.30 am to 6.30 PM on all days
except Mondays.
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