Madhya Pradesh is situated in the heart of India and hence the name Madhya Pradesh. The meandering valleys, lush green forests, hills and ravines add to the beauty of the state. The natural beauty of the place attracts anyone and everyone. It is bordered by the states of Rajsthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Its capital is Bhopal. It is the source of some of the most important rivers of India, including the Narmada, the tapi, the Mahanadi and the Waiganga.

History of Madhya Pradesh
The Malwa or Avanti region was inside the state of Madhya Pradesh. The region was dominated by the predecessors of the Bhils, Gonds and other tribes. They had to face attacks of the Aryans. The Aryans forced them out of the region into the south of the Vindhyas. The Malwa region excelled in art and architecture during the period of Buddhism when this area witnessed the rule of Mauryans. From 78 AD to 388 AD Vikramaditya ruled this region. Chandragupta II, who ruled from 388 to 401AD, followed him.

After the decline of the Guptas, Malwa was under King Bhoja II of the Paramaras. The rivalry between the tribes and the Rajputs made it easy for the Muslims to establish their rule. From 1435-1459, the Khiljis under Mahmud Khilji ruled the region. The assault of Babar added fuel to fire as it paved the way for establishment of a strong Muslim rule from 1526 to 1530. The Sur dynasty of Sher Shah also had its influence on it. In 1562 Akbar made it a part of the Mughal Empire and it remained so until the 18th century. After the decline of the Mughals, the tribals (Gonds) gained control of Malwa. In 1690, the Marathas followed the Mughals. Though the area was under British jurisdiction, the region was administered by the Marathas who later yielded it to the British by 1817. After Independence, Malwa was joined with the regions of Indore and Bhopal. On November 1, 1956 it was organized into Madhya Pradesh. A part of Madhya Pradesh has been separated and formed into a new state Chattisgarh from November 1, 2000.

Geography of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is situated in the center of India and is surrounded on the south by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, in the north by Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, in the east by Bihar and Orissa and on the west by Gujarat. The main rivers are Chambal, Betwa, Sindh, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi and Indravati. Forests cover one by third of the state. The inhabitants of this plateau are mostly agriculturists. The climate is extreme in the north of and is cool and breezy in the central parts and humid in the eastern and southern regions of Madhya Pradesh.

Economy of Madhya Pradesh
About 80% of the population depends on agriculture for its livelihood. The principal crops grown here are rice, wheat, soyabean, rapeseed and mustard. There are cotton textile mills which also add to the revenue of the state. The important trees which adds to the revenue system are sal, teak, bamboos. There are tendu leaves in abundance which is used widely for making beedies.

The important minerals of the state are coal, iron, manganese, bauxite, limestone, diamond, marble, sillimanite, ochre etc. The state has rich granaries of food. There are many flourishing textile mills and artificial silk manufacturing plants. The Nepa Mills produces newsprint for the country. In the public sector, huge plants, namely the Bhilai Steel plant, the Heavy Electrical and the Bailadilla are the major achievements.

Diesel engines are manufactured at Indore and attractive pottery and carpets are produced at Gwalior. The state is famous for crafts such a chanderi sarees, leather and clay toys. There are industries such as dyeing, calico printing and bleaching.

Government and politics of Madhya Pradesh
There are 230 asembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh. The leading parties of the state are BJP,BSP ,CPI, CPM, INC, NCP, SP, JD(S)

Transport of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is well connected by the medium of air, bus and rail. The common medium of transport used by the people are trains and buses. Madhya Pradesh is connected by road to the adjacent states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in the North, Gujarat in the West, Maharashtra in the South, Chhatisgarh in Southeast and Jarkhand in the East. Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation provides transit services to the passengers. It runs regular services, intercity services and interstate services connecting to the neighboring states.

Districts of Madhya Pradesh
There are 48 districts in Madhya Pradesh. These districts are grouped into 8 divisions. The 8 divisions are Bhopal, Chambl, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar and Ujjain. The districts are Annupur, Ashoknagar, Balaghat, Barwani,Betu, Bhind, Bhopal, Burhanpur, Chhatarpur,Chhindwara, Damoh, Datia,Dewas, Dhar, Dindori, Guna, Gwalior, Harda, Hoshangabad, Indore, Jabalpur, Jahbua,Katni, Khandwa,Khargone,Mandla,Mandsaur,Morena, Narsinghpur, Nemuch,Panna, Raisen,Rajgarh,Ratlam,Rewa,Sagar,Satna,Sehore,Seoni,Shahdol,Sahjapur,Sheopur,Shivapuri, Sidhi,Tikamgarh,Ujjain,Umaria,Vidisha.

Demographics of Madhya Pradesh
The total population of the state is 66,181,170. Out of which males constitute 34,232,048 and females to 31,949,122. The literacy of the state is 43.45%. The language spoken by the people is Hindi.

Culture of Madhya Pradesh
The fundamental structure of the social organization in Madhya Pradesh is particularly caste-based. Madhya Pradesh has the largest population of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. The different tribes of the state are Abujhmarias, Dhurwas, Bhils, Gond & Kol, Baigas, Pradhans, Savaras, and Banjaras.

Of the total 45 districts, 23 are tribal. The major tribes of Madhya Pradesh are Gonds, Bhils, Oraons, Korkens, and Kols. The state presents in all a varied matrix of tribal culture ranging from animists and fowlers to advanced cultivators and factory workers. Apart from the tribals, the rest of the population consists of Hindu communities, which include Rajput landholders, traditional merchant classes and established agriculturists such as the Ahirs, the Khatis, the Kunbis, the Lodhis, the Malis and others. The industries and factories in the urban areas have drawn labour from all the classes. A small percentage of Parsis, Muslims and Jains also add to the racial mosaic of Madhya Pradesh.

The peasant population wears the dhoti. Safa is worn on the head in the eastern parts of the state and pagri or paga (turban) is preferred in the western regions. The new generation wears trousers, socks and shirts. Women wear coloured lehnga and choli. A piece of cloth known as orni or lugra is used to cover the head and the shoulders.

Media of Madhya Pradesh
The leading Hindi newspaper of the state is Dainik Bhaskar. The other prominent newspapers are Nai Duniya , Raj Express, Dainik Jagran and Nav Bharat. Times of india is the English paper of the state.

Sports of Madhya Pradesh
The famous sports of the state are Cosso Cricket, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Cycling, Swimming, Tracking, Badminton, and Tabel-Tennis. The traditional games of the state are Gulli Danda, Pittu, Gadha Paddh.

Tribes of Madhya Pradesh
Tribal jewellery of Madhya Pradesh
Museums Of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh Temples
Madhya Pradesh Receipe
Folk Dances of Madhya Pradesh