Avdisha, 8th Standard, Wisdom World School, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India - 136118

Area: 3,08,252 sq. km

Population: 7.27 crore (census 2011)

Capital: Bhopal

Jurisdiction of High Court: Madhya Pradesh

Principle language: Hindi

State flower: Dhak (Palash – Flame of the Forest)

State tree: Indian banyan

State animal: Swamp deer

State bird: Asian paradise flycatcher

Official website: http://www.mp.gov.in

Madhya Pradesh is the second largest Indian state in size with an area of 3,08,000 sq.km. Geographically it occupies a pivotal position in the country. King Ashoka, first of all, ruled over Ujjain. A sizeable portion of Central India was part of the Gupta empire (300-500 A.D.). The Muslims here in the beginning of 11th century. First of all, Mahmud Ghazni came over here and then Mohammad Gouri, who incorporated some parts of Central India into the ruling territory of Delhi. This part 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 Kamalapati 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 in November 1956. It was reorganised in 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.

Economy

Madhya Pradesh has gone from strength to strength in economic growth that has emerged as a study of success all over the country. Its GSDP has gone up from more 1 lakh crore to a whopping 5 lakh crore over the decade.

Agriculture

Madhya Pradesh has posted country’s highest agricultural growth rate which had averaged above 20 per cent over last four years. For its excellent performance in farm sector, the state has received Government of India’s prestigious. Krishi Karman Award, for last four years in a row. The state leads the country in production of pulses, oilseeds, soybean, gram, pea, garlic, guava and medicinal and aromatic herbs. Horticulture is being promoted in a big way in the state. The area under it has been extended three fold from 5 lakh hectare to 15 lakh hectare. After identifying fruit and vegetable routes, about 600 clusters are going to be developed where 50 thousand hectare will be covered under horticulture crops.

Irrigation

Top priority has been given to irrigation following which the area under irrigation has increased from more 7.5 lakh hectare ten years back to 40 lakh hectare now. Narmada-Kshipra Link Project has been successfully implemented. Three major, five medium and over 700 minor irrigation projects have been completed over last five years, thereby increasing the canal irrigation capacity by over 2.5 times.

Power

Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a total turnaround in power sector. Twelve years ago the state was reeling under acute electricity shortage and now it is power surplus. Power availability has increased from just 4500 MW twelve years ago to 17,169 MW now. Last five years have seen about 64 per cent increases in power supply. Country’s largest 130 MW solar energy plant has been established in Neemuch and world’s largest one with 750 MW capacity is coming up in Rewa district.

Industry

In order to promote micro, small and medium industries a separate MSME department has been set up. Following implementation of MSME Promotion Policy of State Government 50,000 units were registered under industry based memorandum. With an investment of over 5 thousand crore these units have provided jobs to over 2 lakh people. A target has been set to register 1 lakh MSME units.

Department of Happiness

A Department of Happiness has been set up in the state as part of efforts to create an enabling atmosphere for people to live a happy and blissful life. The concept of happiness that Madhya Pradesh aspires to pursue is primarily based on time tested Indian wisdom besides taking into account the indices that determine national growth as also the experiences of other countries in our strategies and action plans.

Transport

Roads: The total length of roads in the state is 58,423 km. The length of national highway in the state is 4,709 km while state highway extends to 10,501 km. The state government has taken up the construction and upgradation of roads in a big way and about 70 thousand kilometer of roads will be constructed and upgraded.

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

Festivals

A number of festivals are celebrated in the state. 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 are; Maihar; Kalidas Samaroh, Ujjain; and Festival of Dances at Khajuraho was 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 at Shivpuri. Betwa festival has also been started at Vidisha.

Tourist Centres

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. 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.