Madhya Pradesh Introduction

History and Geography

Madhya Pradesh is the second largest Indian Sate in size with an area of 3,08,000 sq.km. Geographically it occupies a pivotal position in the country.

King Ashoka first among all, ruled over Ujjain. A sizeable portion of Central India was part of the Gupta empire (300-500 A.D.). The Muslims came into Central India in the beginning of 11th century. First of all, Mahmud of Ghazni came over here and then Mohammad Gouri, who incorporated some parts of Central India into his ruling territory of Delhi. Central India was also part of the Mughal empire. During the period between the beginning of the influence of Marathas and the death of Madhoji Scindia in 1794, Marathas were on the ascendant in Central India but later on the small states started coming into existence. These small states became the cause of perpetuation of British power in the country.

Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, the Gond Maharani Kamalapti and Queen Durgawati, etc., were women rulers whose names have left an indelible imprint on Indian history for their outstanding rule. Madhya Pradesh came into being on 1 November 1956. It was reorganised on 1 November 2000 to create a new Chhattisgarh state. The successive state, now, is bounded in north by Uttar Pradesh, east by Chhattisgarh, south by Maharashtra and west by Gujarat and Rajasthan.

                    AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is the mainstay of State's economy as 74.73 per cent of the people are rural. As much as 49 per cent of the land area is cultivable.

The net sown area during 2010-11 was estimated at about 2,08,36,000 ha. (both Rabi and Kharif). The food grain production was 171.77 lakh metric tones. The productivity of major crops like wheat, rice, pulses has also been good.

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Industry and Minerals

Madhya Pradesh has entered the era of high-tech industries such as electronics, telecommunications, automobiles, Information Technology, etc. The State produces optical fibre for telecommunication needs. A large number of automobile industries have been established at Pithampur near Indore. Prominent industries in the public sector in the state are Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. at Bhopal, Secruity paper mill at Hoshangabad, Bank Note Press at Dewas, newsprint factory at Nepanagar and Alkaloid factory at Neemuch and Oman Bina Refinery at Agasod near Bina in Sagar district.

An air cargo complex is coming up at Pithampur. The Government of India has set up a Special Economic Zone at Indore. Foreign Direct Investment is being promoted by implementing the comprehensive Economic Development Policy.

The State Government has announced an Industries Promotion Policy offering attractive incentives for investment in the State. The Government of India has also sanctioned a National Auto Testing and Research and Development Infrastructure Project to be set up at Pithampur in Dhar district.

Madhya Pradesh is a mineral rich State. The state produced minerals worth Rs.1590.46 crore in the year 2009-10. It produces 21 types of minerals. The output of minerals in 2008-09 was dolomite 1.98 lakh metric tones, diamond 16810 carats, limestone 285.43 lakh metric tonnes, bauxite 10.10 lakh metric tones and copper are 19.32 lakh metric tonnes. The coal production was 728.72 lakh metric tonnes. The State is famous for its traditional handicrafts and handloom cloth manufactured in Chanderi and Maheshwar.

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Irrigation and Power

The net area under irrigation was 65.43 lakh hectares in the year 2009-10. A Rs.1919 crore Water Sector Restructuring Project is being implemented to restore irrigation facility in five lakh hectare by renovating the exiting irrigation system in 30 districts.

Madhya Pradesh is rich in low-grade coal suitable for power generation and also has immense potential of hydro-energy. Total installed power generation capacity in year 2010 was 9878.25 M.W. There are eight hydro-electric power stations with 922.95 MW installed capacity.

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Development Initiatives

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has been implemented in all 50 districts. MP has topped in the country in its implementations. National Horticulture Mission has been launched to boost horticulture production and productivity in the State.

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Transport

Roads: The total length of roads in the State is 91968 kms. The length of national highway in the State is 4280 km while State highway extends to 8729 km. The State government has taken up the construction and upgradation of roads in a big way and about 70 thousand km of roads will be constructed and upgraded.

Railways: The main rail route linking northern India with southern India passes through Madhya Pradesh. Main junctions in the state are Bhopal, Bina, Gwalior, Indore, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Ratlam and Ujjain. The divisional railways headquarters are at Bhopal, Ratlam and Jabalpur.

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Festivals

A number of festivals are celebrated in Madhya Pradesh. An important tribal festival is Bhagoriya marked by traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. Shivratri is celebrated in Khajuraho, Bhojpur, Pachmarhi and Ujjain and has its own local flavour while Ramnavami festival at Chitrakoot and Orchha has a unique sense of devotion imbued with tradition. Festivals of Orchha, Malwa, Pachmarhi bring to the fore, repertoire of culture and art of the people. Tansen Music Festival, Gwalior, Ustad Allauddin Khan Music Festival of Maihar, Kalidas Samaroh, Ujjain and Festival of Dances at Khajuraho are some of the well known art festivals of Madhya Pradesh. An annual Narmada Festival has been started from this year at Bedhaghat in Jabalpur, famous for its marble rocks. A Shivpuri Festival has been started from this year at Shivpuri. Betwa festival has been started at Vidisha from this year.

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Tourism Centres

Madhya Pradesh Folk Dance

Perfectly preserved medieval cities, refreshing and enchanting wildlife sanctuaries and some of the holiest and most revered pilgrim centres offer to the tourist the most fulfilling experience. Tranquil beauty of Pachmarhi, glittering splendour of Marble Rocks and roaring sound of Dhuandhar Fall at Bedaghat, Kanha National Park, with its unique Barasingha and Bandhavgarh National Park with its prehistoric caves and wildlife are some of the major attractions of the State. Dhuandhar Fall at Bedaghat, Kanha National Park, with its unique Barasingha and Bandhavgarh National Park and prehistoric caves, wildlife are some of the major attractions of the State.

Gwalior, Mandu, Datia, Chanderi, Jabalpur, Orchha, Raisen, Sanchi, Vidisha, Udaygiri, Bhimbetika, Indore and Bhopal are the places well-known for their historical monuments. Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, Ujjain, Chitrakoot and Amarkantak are major centres of pilgrimage. Unique temples of Khajuraho are famous all over the world. The temples of Orchha, Bhojpur and Udaypur attract large number of tourists as well as pilgrims. Archaeological treasures are preserved in the museums at Satna, Sanchi, Vidisha, Gwalior, Indore, Mandsaur, Ujjain, Rajgarh, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa and many other places. Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Amarkantak have been declared as holy cities for their integrated development in accordance with their religious significance. Burhanpur is being developed as a new tourist destination.