Bhopal

STD Code: 0755

HISTORY

He is supposed to have created the lakes around which the city is built, by constructing a dam or pal. Hence Bho-pal. The present city was laid out by the Afghan chief Dost Mohamed Khan. Dost Mohamed had been in charge of Bhopal during Aurang zeb's reign but took advantage of the confusion following his death in 1707 to carve out his own small kingdom.

HOW TO GET THERE

■ By Air: Jet Airways and Alliance Air connect Bhopal to Delhi, Indore and Mumbai.

INFORMATION AND ORIENTATION

■ Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation: 4th Floor, Gangotri, TT Nagar, tel: 277 8383

The capital of Madhya Pradesh takes its name from its legendary 11th century founder Raja Bhoj.

WHERE TO STAY

■ Welcomheritage: Noor-us-Sabah, VIP Road, Kohe-Fiza; tel: 522 3333
■ Palash Residency (MP Tourism): T.T. Nagar; tel: 255 3006

WHERE TO EAT

■ Open-air Barbecue: They have an excellent variation of Mughlai fare. Try the Chicken Bhopali Rizala; Jahan Numa Palace, Shamla Hills; tel: 266 1100, 223 5100
■ Nishevan: Try their Mughlai and Hyderabadi cuisine; Nisarga Hotel; tel: 2558948/9

WHAT TO SEE

■ The Lakes:

The larger Upper Lake covers six square km and a bridge separates it from the cross the other way there's a footbridge which brings you out right on the Hamidia Rd corner. You can rent boats to go out on the lakes which are very pictuesque when they reflect lights fror houses around the lake at night.

■ Gohar Mahal: Situated on the banks of the Upper Lake, Gohar Mahal was built in 1820 by Qudsia Begum. It is a great blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture.

 

■ Shaukat Mahal:

Shaukat Mahal is a French curiosity amidst a sea of overwhelmingly Islamic architecturein theChowk area. Located in the heart of the walled city, Shaukat Mahal was designed by a Frenchman, and its post-Renaissance and Gothic styles are clearly evident.

ART GALLERIES

■ Rupankar: Bharat Bhawan, Shamla Hills They exhibit contemporary urban, folk and aboriginal art. They hold ceramic and litho workshops and have facilities for stone craft and metal casting.

MUSEUMS

■ State Archaeological Museum, Banganga Marg: They have artefacts, sculptures, and coins from different parts of Madhya Pradesh.
■ Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Shamla Hills: Have a look at the dwellings typical of contemporary tribal cultures from various states of India. The museum showcases their architecture, crafts and pottery.

PLACES OF WORSHIP

■ Taj-ul-Masjid: Commenced by Shah Jahan Begum, but never really completed, the Taj-ul-Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. It's built around a vast courtyard with a large tank in the middle, it has an imposing gateway and a well-designed prayer hall. It has a huge pink mosque with two massive white-domed minarets and three white domes over the main building.
■ Jama Masjid: The Jama Masjid was built in 1837 by Qudsia Begum and is surrounded by the bazaar. This handsome mosque is crowned with has very squat, short minarets.

SHOPPING

The old Chowk constitutes the main shopping area of Bhopal. Silver jewellery, beadwork bags, embroidered and sequinned velvet purses and cushions are popular. For handicrafts, check out Mrignayani Emporium in New Market, TT Nagar.