Bhimbetka - An Archaeological Treasure Trove

Surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhya mountain range, Bhimbetka is also known as Bhima’s Lounge (Bhima was the second of the five Pandava princes in the Hindu epic Mahabharata). A pre-historic site, its giant rock formation must have provided ample shelter to the ancient tribes that dwelt here. Recently, about 760 rock shelters of the Neolithic age (circa 8,000 b.c.) were discovered here. These shelters are decorated with picture writings, depicting the life and times of pre-historic cave dwellers. Some of the drawings in white are reminiscent of the cave paintings in Pachmarhi, making the Bhimbetka group an archaeological treasure trove, an invaluable chronicle in the history of man.

Bhopal Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum in Bhopal houses a splendid collection of sculptures brought from various parts of the state. Madhya Pradesh is situated at the very heart of India, and its rich cultural heritage often leaves visitors spellbound.
The museum in Bhopal provides a small sample of the rich traditions of the state. Highlights of the collection on display here are paintings of various schools, copies of paintings from the Bagh caves at Mandu, and statues of Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, and of the Buddha.
Further, you will find images of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer of the Universe.


There is also an image of Shiva seated with his consort Parvati, and a fine carving of an amorous couple from Khajuraho, which is the home of erotic sculptures and paintings in Madhya Pradesh.
Also, in the museum are as many as 87 Jain bronzes culled from a single site in Dhar, dating back to the 12th century Paramara Dynasty.


All in all, the museum contains an array of paintings, statues, figurines, tribal handicrafts and musical instruments, illustrating the rich cultural history of the state.

Gohar Mahal

Situated right behind the Shaukat Mahal on the banks of the Upper Lake is the Gohar Mahal that was once an architectural gem. However, the palace has not been well maintained and is currently in a dilapidated state.
Nevertheless, the archways of the palace still retain a majestic air about them and are well worth a visit.

Built by Qudisiya Begum (who was also known as Gohar Begum) in 1820, the Mahal is a wonderful expression of the fusion of Hindu and Mughal architecture.
Qudisiya Begum was the first woman ruler of Bhopal who ascended the throne of the erstwhile princely state in 1819, after her husband died in an accident (see History). From then on, political power rested with the Begums of Bhopal. The Begums were liberal and modern in their outlook, and Qudisiya Begum was the probably India’s first woman’s-libber

Islam Nagar

¤ The Attraction of The Palace

A stone’s throw away from Bhopal lies Islam Nagar, built by the Afghan, Dost Mohammad Khan who ruled over Bhopal between 1708 and 1726. It was a period of great turmoil at the Imperial Court in Delhi, following the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707.

Many of the noblemen (Dost Mohammad among them) fled the chaos in search of greener pastures. On reaching Bhopal, Dost met the Gond queen, Kamalapati, who sought his help after the murder of her husband. As romance between the two blossomed, Dost Mohammad decided to build a love nest in Islam Nagar for the two of them.
The Islam Nagar palace is a luxurious one, and lovely gardens surround both the palace and the pavilion nearby. The latter is a mixture of both Hindu and Islamic art and has columns richly decorated with floral motifs.

¤ Other Attractiions

Two other monuments in Islam Nagar worth visiting are the Chaman Mahal and the Rani Mahal. The Chaman Mahal has been aptly named, as chaman means garden in Hindi, and the palace is surrounded on all sides by beautifully manicured lawns. The palace also houses a hamam or bath where the royalty of Bhopal frolicked on many a hot summer day. Right next to it lies the double-storeyed Rani Mahal, the living quarters of the queens and other royal ladies who accompanied their menfolk when they came to this retreat for a vacatio

Jama Masjid

Compared to the Taj-ul-Masjid, the Jama Masjid is the much smaller mosque, and was built by Qudisiya Begum in 1837.

Not as grand as the Taj-ul-Masjid, the Jama Masjid is nevertheless a well-preserved monument, and its two huge minarets can be sighted from a great distance.

The mosque also has three bulbous cupolas, but the main feature of the Jama Masjid is its interior – a splendid example of Islamic architecture.
The mosque contains a series of alabaster-white columned arches that present a very pretty sight, and the inner sanctum of the mosque is built out of marble. The Jama Masjid complex also contains a small pond, and was extensively renovated after Independence

Lakshmi Narayana Temple in Bhopal

¤ Dedicated To Goddess Lakshmi

The Lakshmi Narayana Temple on the Arera Hills commands a panoramic view of Bhopal, and is also known as the Birla Temple because the Birlas, one of leading industrial families of India, have built it. The temple is built in honour of Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, and her divine consort, Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe, who is also known as Narayana.

Apart from idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Narayana, the temple also has a resplendent idol of a reclining Shiva with his wife, Parvati. Attached to the temple is the Birla Museum that houses a collection of sculptures from the Mandsaur, Shahdol, Sehore and Raisen districts of Madhya Pradesh