There is a saying in Bhopal that those who visit the city once will always return. Bhopal is the capital city of India's largest state Madhya Pradesh, and is located on the latitude 23°16' north and longitude 77°36' east. Situated in the north-western part of the state, it lies along the slopes of a Sandstone ridge, which is a part of the Malwa Plateau. It is 744 kilometers south of Delhi, and 779 kilometers north-west of Mumbai (Bombay).

Bhopal was once a small, sleepy picturesque town on the banks of an immense and beautiful lake, with lush forests and leisurely days filled with shatranj (chess) of shikar (hunting), picnics, and quiet fishing trips. The new Bhopal is an antithesis of the old. One of the greenest cities of India, it has wide, clean, well-lit roads lined with fiery, statuesque Gulmohar trees. Even today, despite becoming the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh and the consequent influx of people, it retains about it an almost ethereal quaintness and calm.

Bhopal city is also referred to as the City of Lakes because of the two beautiful lakes that are situated in the center of the city. The city itself sits on the banks of a vast lake spanning almost 10 square miles, which dominates the landscape and gives it a magnetic, mesmerizing quality. The tranquility of the lake is perhaps responsible for the calm, laid-back attitude that pervades the entire city. This air affects all those who visit the city, and clings fast to the fabric of Bhopal despite the invasion of modernity.

Fast Facts

Area - 284.9 square kilometers

Altitude - 523 meters

Languages - Hindi, Urdu, and English

History

The history of Bhopal dates back to the 11th century A.D., when the legendary King Bhoj built it. It is believed that the name Bhopal is a distortion of the founder's name. However, the region soon came under Mughal rule and remained a part of that empire till the death of the Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 A.D.

After a few years of turmoil, the small princely state of Bhopal and the present-day city, was founded by an Afghan soldier called Dost Mohammad in A.D. 1723. He is said to have assisted Rani Kamlapathi, the queen of the Gond tribals of the Norbada region, in protecting her territory from the attacks at the Rajput Thakurs.

Due to the lack of capable male rulers, the Begums of the royal family ruled Bhopal for close to almost a 100 years after that. The Begums were deeply religious and conservative, led very austere lives, and were keenly interested in the administrative aspects of the state. The third Begum, Nawab Sultan Jahan, was one of the most able rulers of the state.

Her son Nawab Hamidullah ascended the masnad (throne) in A.D. 1926, and was deeply involved in the political developments of his time. He had believed it imperative for the princes to remain united during Partition and advocated this strongly in his capacity as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes. Bhopal was one of the last states to sign the 'Instrument of Accession' in A.D. 1947. Thus, it was under him that Bhopal's transition from a sleepy town into a major developing metropolis took place.

Best Seasons, Climate, and Clothing

The weather in Bhopal during the summers (April to June) is quite hot, but the winters (November to February) are cool and pleasant. It experiences south-western monsoon rains during July-September. Though Bhopal can be visited throughout the year, it is advisable to avoid it during the summer season. Cotton clothing is ideal throughout the year in Bhopal.