Madhya Pradesh
Geographical Area : 3 08 252
Population in 2001 : 6 03 48 023
Estimated population in 2025 : 8 68 79 000
Provisional Numbers in Census 2011
Madhya Pradesh population as percentage of India : 6.00%
Population in 2011 : 7 25 97 565
Males 3 76 12 920
Females 3 49 84 645
Sex ratio : 930
Under 6 Sex ratio : 912
Number of Districts : 50
Number of habitated villages : 52,117
Capital
Bhopal
Principal Language
Hindi
History and Geography
Madhya Pradesh is the second largest Indian Sate in size with an
area of 3,08,000 sq.km. Geographically it occupies a pivotal position
in the country.
King Ashoka first among all, ruled over Ujjain. A sizeable portion
of Central India was part of the Gupta empire (300-500 A.D.). The
Muslims came into Central India in the beginning of 11th century.
First of all, Mahmud of Ghazni came over here and then Mohammad
Gouri, who incorporated some parts of Central India into his ruling
territory of Delhi. Central India 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 Kamalapti 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 on 1 November 1956. It was reorganised
on 1 November 2000 to create a new Chhattisgarh state. The successive
state, now, is bound in north by Uttar Pradesh, east by Chhattisgarh,
south by Maharashtra and west by Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the mainstay of State's economy as 74.73 per cent
of the people are rural. As much as 49 per cent of the land area
is cultivable.
The net sown area during 2007 was estimated at about 14.83 m. ha.
The food grain production was 14.45m. metric tonnes. The productivity
of major crops like wheat, rice, pulses has also been good. The
National Horticulture Mission has been implemented in 31 districts.
Industry and Minerals
Madhya Pradesh has entered the era of high-tech industries such
as electronics, telecommunications, automobiles, Information Technology,
etc. The State produces optical fibre for telecommunication needs.
A large number of automobile industries have been established at
Pithampur near Indore. Prominent industries in the public sector
in the state are Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. at Bhopal, Secruity
paper mill at Hoshangabad, Bank Note Press at Dewas, newsprint factory
at Nepanagar and alkaloid factory at Neemuch.
The cement production touched 12.49 million metric tonnes during
the period. An air cargo complex is coming up at Pithampur. The
Government of India has set up a Special Economic Zone at Indore.
Foreign Direct Investment is being promoted by implementing the
comprehensive Economic Development Policy. The State Government
has announced an Industries Promotion Policy offering attractive
incentives for investment in the State. The docks have been cleared
for the long pending Rs.10,300 crore Oman Bina Refinery Project
at Bina in Sagar district. The Government of India has also sanctioned
a National Auto Testing and Research and Development Infrastructure
Project to be set up at Pithampur in Dhar district.
Madhya Pradesh is a mineral rich State. The state produced minerals
worth Rs.90.20 in 2007. It produces 21 types of minerals. The output
of minerals in 2007 was -dolomite -164 thousand metric tonnes, diamond
- 586 thousand carats, limestone-25640 thousand metric tonnes, bauxite-475
thousand million metric tonnes and copper ore - 2191 thousand million
metric tonnes. The coal production was 25640 thousand metric tonnes.
The State is famous for its traditional handicrafts and handloom
cloth manufactured in Chanderi and Maheshwar.
Irrigation and Power
The net area under irrigation was 6,347 thousand-hectare in the
year 2008. There is a target to increase the irrigation facilities
from 39 per cent to 50 per cent. A Rs.1919 crore Water Sector Restructuring
Project has been taken up to restore irrigation facility in five
lakh hectares by renovating the existing irrigation system in 30
districts.
Madhya Pradesh is rich in low-grade coal suitable for power generation
and also has immense potential of hydro-energy. Total installed
power generation capacity in year 2007 was 9658.45 M.W. There are
eight hydro-electric power stations with 902.5 MW installed capacity.
A total of 50,475 out of 51,806 villages had been electrified.
Development Initiatives
Madhya Pradesh Rural Employment Scheme has been implemented in all
50 districts. M.P. has topped in the country in its implementation.
National Horticulture Mission has been launched to boost horticulture
production and productivity in the State.
Transport
Roads: The total length of roads in the State is 73311 kms. The
length of national highway in the State is 4280 km while State highway
extends to 8729 km. The State government has taken up the construction
and upgradation of roads in a big way and about 60 thousand km of
roads will be constructed and upgraded.
Railways: The main rail route linking northern India with southern
India passes through Madhya Pradesh. Main junctions in the state
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 Madhya Pradesh. 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 of Maihar, Kalidas Samaroh,
Ujjain and Festival of Dances at Khajuraho are 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 from
this year at Shivpuri.
Tourism 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.
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