Ujjain to Bhopal

Bhopal was formerly a part of Bhopal princely state, which was founded in 1723 by Dōst Moḥammad Khan, an Afghan adventurer, and was the second largest Muslim principality of the British Empire. In its struggles with the Marathas, Bhopal was friendly to the British and concluded a treaty with them at the outbreak of the Pindari War in 1817. The Bhopal Agency, created in 1818, was a subdivision of the British Central India Agency and comprised the princely states of Bhopal, Rajgarh, Narsinghgarh, and several others. The headquarters was at Sehore.

Bhopal was constituted a municipality in 1903. At India’s independence in 1947, Bhopal remained a separate province until 1949, when it acceded to India. In 1952 the nawab’s absolute rule was abolished, and a chief commissioner’s state was established. It merged with Madhya Pradesh in 1956, and Bhopal replaced Nagpur as the state capital.

Bhopal is known as the “city of lakes”; its name is a derivation of Bhoj Tal (“Bhoj’s Lake”), a lake constructed by Bhoj, a Hindu raja, in the 11th century. Today that lake is the Upper Bhopal Lake (Bada Talab), which is connected to the Lower Bhopal Lake (Chhota Talab) by an aqueduct. The lakes supply drinking water and are used for recreation. Around the lakes are several palaces and a fort dating from about 1728. Bhopal has several mosques, including the 19th-century Taj-ul-Masjid, the largest mosque in India. A three-day religious pilgrimage is held at the mosque annually, which attracts Muslim pilgrims from all parts of India.

Best places to stay in Bhopal

Accommodation options are plenty in Bhopal, ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury hotels. The budget hotels are clustered near the railway station and bus stand. Mid-range hotels can be found all over the city. Maharana Pratap Nagar and Shamala Hills have a good number of mid-range hotels. Bhopal also boasts of several luxury hotels including heritage properties.

Best places to Eat in Bhopal

Bhopal has several multi-cuisine restaurants in the city as well as international fast food chains like McDonald’s. Sweets like Bafla (wheat cake dipped in ghee), Sewaiya (a dessert made from milk) and fruits are an essential part of the meal. Locals also have the habit of eating paan (areca nut and other condiments blanketed in betel leaf) after meals.