Introduction to Bhopal: The city undulates on the banks of a vast lake spanning several square miles, which dominates its landscape and gives it a magnetic, mesmerizing quality difficult to resist. The tranquillity of the lake is perhaps, to a large extent, responsible for an air of almost deliberate indolence and complacency. It affects one unawares and stubbornly clings to the old fabric of a Bhopal that was—a small, sleepy picturesque town, a town with lush forests and leisurely days of shikars, picnics and quiet fishing trips. Even today, despite becoming the capital of Madhya Pradesh and the consequent conflux of people due to industrialization and growth, Bhopal retains about it an almost eternal quaintness and charm.
Situated in the north-western part of Madhya Pradesh along the slopes of a sandstone ridge, the city of Bhopal was built by King Bhoj in the 11th century. The region remained the part of the Mughal Empire until the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. It was ruled by the Begums of the royal family for almost a hundred years. In 1926 Nawab Hamidullah, son of the third Begum, Nawab Sultan Jahan, ascended the throne. It was under him that Bhopal acceded to India in 1947.
Bhopal is quite hot during summers. The monsoons arrive here during the month of July-September. The winters are quite cool and pleasant and are the best time to visit the city.

Sightseeing: Taj-ul-Masajid: - Said to be the largest mosque in the country, the building of this towering edifice was begun by Shah Jehan Begum (1868-1901) but was incomplete on her death and was completed only after 1971.  Jama Masjid: - this was built in 1837 by Kudsia Begum and has gold spikes in the minarets of this beautiful mosque. Moti Masjid: - architecturally akin to Jama Masjid in Delhi, it was built in 1860 by the daughter of Kudsia Begum (Sikandar Jehan). Shaukat Mahal & Sadar Manzil: - situated at the entrance to the Chowk area in the heart of the walled city, Shaukat Mahal is an architectural curiosity. Its mixture of styles in Occidental idioms sets it apart from the predominantly Islamic architecture of the area.  Bharat Bhawan: - one of the most unique national institutes in India, Bharat Bhawan is a centre for the performing and visual arts. Designed by the renowned architect Charles Correa, its contours merge in exquisite harmony with the landscape creating a visual impact of spacious and national elegance. The centre houses a museum of the arts, an art gallery, a workshop for fine arts, a repertory theatre, indoor and outdoor auditoria, rehearsal room, and libraries of Indian poetry, classical and folk music. Tribal Habitat: - an open-air exhibition of tribal house types located on Shamla Hills, the Tribal Habitat is a presentation of actual size dwellings typical of contemporary tribal cultures in various states of India. Archaeological Museum: - a fine collection of sculptures from various parts of Madhya Pradesh are displayed here. Chowk: - in the heart of old city, the chowk is lined with old mosques and havelis, reminders of bygone princely life-styles. The shops in its narrow alleyways are treasure of traditional Bhopali craft like silver jewelery, fashioned beadwork, embroidered and sequined velvet purses and cushions.

Excursions: Bhopal offers some excellent spots for daylong excursions. The paintings in the Bhimbetka caves belonging to the Neolithic age depict the life of the pre-historic cave dwellers. Sanchi presents the Buddhist works of art dating back to the third century BC. A trip to Pachmarhi located in the Satpura hills is a fascinating experience. Udaygiri and Bhojpur are other interesting places to visit around Bhopal.