Bhopal is known as one of the oldest city of India as its history takes us back to the eleventh centaury. The foundation of the city was laid by the Parmara King Bhoj (1000-1055), who had his capital at Dhar. The city was initially known as Bhojpal named after Bhoj and the dam (`pal`) that he is said to have constructed to form the lakes bounding Bhopal. Bhopal was founded by one of Emperor Aurangzeb's Afghan soldiers Dost Mohammed Khan in 1723 A.D. Dost Mohammad managed to establish his small kingdom in Bhopal. The city survived several wars and became a princely state in British India in 1818.
Later Bhopal was ruled by the Begums of the royal family for a period of 100 years. The administrative aspects of the state were taken care of quite capably by the begums and they generally used to lead strict and sober lives. The peaceful rule of Begums led to the rise of a unique mixed culture in Bhopal. The Hindus were given important administrative positions in the state. This led to communal peace and a cosmopolitan culture took its roots. Among all the rulers of Bhopal, most able rulers of the state were Nawab Sultan Jahan and consequently her son Nawab Hamidullah. He also took keen interest in the political affairs of the state and it was under his rule that this sleepy town was transformed into a developing city.
In the present day, Bhopal is a city of considerable beauty. It is known as the "City of Lakes". Bordered along their shores are the old city with its marketplaces, magnificent mosques and palaces, and the new city with its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern buildings. The Bhopal State joined to the mainstream of developing independent nation on 1st June 1949 and subsequently became capital of Madhya Pradesh. The economy of Bhopal is centered on cotton, chemicals, and jewelry. Bhopal is also famous throughout India for the detailing done on wedding dresses & sarees, and for ‘batua’ style embroidered purses.
|
