Bhopal (BPL in short), my home town was previously called as Bhojpur and is now called as Bhopal from 1819 onwards.Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, India, is a fascinating amalgm of scenic beauty, old historic city, and modern urban planning. It is also known as City of Lakes. Bhopal, is a town with a rich tradition, great culture, ancient temples of stunning architectural and artistic grandeur and friendly people.

It is situated on the 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja but present city was established by an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed (1707-1740). Fleeing from Delhi in the chaotic period that followed Aurangazeb's death, Dost Mohammed encounterde the beautiful queen Kamlapati, who sought his aid after the murder of her consort.

A charinng legend relates how queen would recline in lotus barge that , on moonlights, would drift across the lake. The The two lakes of Bhopal still dominate the city, and are indeed its nucleus. Bordered along their shores stand silent sentinels that testify to the growth of the city. Bhopal today presents a multi-faceted profile, the old city with its market places and fine old mosques and palaces still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers, among 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, board avenues and streamlined modern edifices.

Access to Bhopal

Air regular flights connect Bhopal with Delhi, Gwalior, Indore and Bombay Rail. Bhopal is on the Delhi-Madras main line. major trains going from Bombay to Delhi via Itarsi and Jhansi also pass through Bhopal.

Road Regular bus service connect Bhopal with Indore (186 km), Mandu (285 km), Ujjain (188 km), Khajuraho(383 km), Panchmarhi (195 km), Gwalior (423 km), Sanchi (46 km), Jabalpur (295 km) and Shivpuri (311 km).
Sight seeing

Taj-ul-Masjid is said to be the largest mosque in the country. The building of this towering edifice was begun by Shahjehan Begum (1868-1901) but was incomplete on her death and was completed only after 1971.
The great queen, Bhopal's eigth ruler, left many monuments and to her goes the credit for postal system, railways and water works in the city. The most feature of the mosque are its hall with inter-arched roof, broad facade, spacious courtyard and smooth marble flooring. A three day Ijtima congregation held here anually draws people from all over the country.

Jama-Masjid was built in 1837 by Kudisa Begum and has gold spikes in the minarets of this beautiful mosque.
It is believed that about centuries earlier, a queen of the grandson Raja Bhoja (1059-1080) founded a temple here known as Sabha Mandala.

Moti-Masjid architecturally a kin to Jama Masjid in Delhi. It was built in 1860 by daughter of Kudisa Begum (Sikhander Jehan).

Shaukat Mahal & Sadar Manzil is situated at the entrance to the chowk area in the heart of the walled city, Shaukat Mahal is an architectural curiosity. It is a mixture of styles in Occidental idioms sets it apart from pre-dominantly Islamic architecture of the area.
It was designed by Frenchman, siad to be a descendant of Bourcbon kings of France.
Nearby is elegant once-opulent Sadar Manzil, Hall of public audience of former rulers of Bhopal.

Bharat Bhawan is one of the most unique national institutes in India. It is a center for performing visual arts. Designed by renowed architect Charles Correa, its contours merge in exquisite harmony with the landscape creating a visual impact of spacious and national elegance.
The centre houses a museum of the arts, an art gallery, a workshop for fine arts, a reportory theatre, indoor and outdoor auditoria, rehearsal room and libraries of Indian poetry, Classical and Folk music.

Tribal Habitat is an open-air exhibition of tribal house types located on Shamla Hills. The Tribal Habitat is a presentation of actual size dwellings typical of contemporary tribal cultures in various states of India.
The exhibition highlights the architectural features and has elaborately displayed interiors. The surroundings have been re-constructed to match some of the interesting environmental features of tribal villages.

Archaeological Museum is a fine collection of sculptures from various parts of Madhya Pradesh are displayed. Some of collections are Paintings of various schools, copies of paintings from Bagh Caves near Mandu and the statues of Lakshmi & Buddha.

Chowk>is the heart of old city. It is lined with old mosques and havelis, reminders of bygone princely life-styles.
The shops in its narrow alleyways are treasure of traditional Bhopali craft like silver jewellery, fashioned beadwork, embroidered sequined velvet purses and cushions.

Miscellanous

Bhopal LakesThe two lakes (Upper lake & Lower lake) dominate the city and are indeed its nucleus. The Upper Lake is divided from the lower lake by an overbridge and is six sq.km in area. Clubs provide facilities for exciting trip by sail, paddle and motor boats.

Other Places Gandhi Bhawan (Mahatma's Museum), Van Vihar (Safari - Parkon a hill adjacent to Upper Lake in natural surroundings), and aquarium (Collection of various species of fish).

Excursions> Islamnagar - has synthesis of Hindu and Islamic decorative art. Sanchi - a masterpiece of Buddhist art, Bhimbhetka - an archaeological treasure and Bhojpur - famous for Shiva temple and cyclopean dam.

People here fleuently speak in Hindi, Bhojpuri and English but generally find people of all castes Telegu, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam, Punjabi etc.

Bhopal which was in a position near the bottom of the hierarchy in India, have been move to a position of substantian economic success, increased political power and a significant degree of improved status and recognition from other states. This most important factor in the strategy for advancement has been due to some organizations.

Bhopal has produced many politicians, film artists, business people and professionals.

I invite you all to visit my home (town) ... A land of stupendous dimensions, colorful, exotic, traditional, modern. The destination of the nineties.  A land for recreation, peace, adventure and business, Bhopal is an interesting amalgamation of tradition,peace and modernity.