Finally came the most famous charmers of Bhopal – the series of successive queens called Begums who astonishingly ruled the city, in an India ruled by Kings and Princess, through the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, situated to the north of the lakes, old Bhopal still carries some of its past with it. Here you can find the ambience of the regal era of the Begums and the Nawabs, their fine manners and their beautiful architecture. The newer city spreads to the south. The serene lakes in the centre provide moments of leisure on a winter afternoon.

The Mosques of Bhopal
Bhopal is celebrated for its mosques. The stately pink Taj-ul-Masajid is celebrated for being one of the largest mosques in India and is the grandest monument in Bhopal, begun by Shahjehan Begum in the 1870s. It has two imposing minarets that are 18 storeys high. The beauty of the azaan (call to prayer) at is dawn is a special treat. The Jama Masjid – its minarets crowned with gold spikes – was built by the Qudsia Begum in 1837. A devout Muslim, Qudsia Begum cast off her purdah (veil) and showed similar progressiveness in carrying out civic works. Her daughter, Sikander Jehan Begum built the beautiful Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) in 1860. This enchanting queen resigned in 1844-68, dressed like a Muslim prince, rode horseback, and was the first ruler to be officially accepted as Regent by the British colonial ruler in 1859.

The Begum’s Palaces
Situated at the entrance to the Chowk area, in the heart of the walled city, Shaukat Mahal was built by a French mercenary in a mix of occidental styles. Nearby, Sadar Manzil used to be the Hall of Public Audience of the former rulers of Bhopal. Situated behind Shaukat Mahal is Gohar Mahal, built by Qudsia Begum in 1820. It is a magnificent expression of the fusion of Hindu and Mughal architectures.

Shopping
At the heart of the old quarters of Bhopal, Chowk occupies pride of place. Chowk is the hub from which radiates a network of streets and Aesthetic havelis, often leading to a mosque. The shops in these narrow alleys can often surprise you with the traditional Bhopali crafts: silver jewellery, exquisitely fashioned beadwork, beaded jootis (traditional shoes), embroided and sequined velvet purses, bags and cushions.

Muesums of Bhopal
Bhopal has experimented with what a ‘museum’ can signify in a very meaning ful way, The Bharat Bhawan is a remarkable institution, a centre for the performing and visual arts also working to encourage traditional folk arts. The building, itself a delight to look at, houses art galleries, museum, auditoria, and libraries of Indian poetry, classical and folk music.

The Indira Ghandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind) displays lives and cultures of several Indian tribes. At the Government Archaeological Museum, a fine collection of sculptures is on display from various parts of Madhya Pradesh, some dating back to the 6th century.

Excursions from Bhopal
Bhimbetka, 40km from Bhopal, Bhimbetka is surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhya mountains near the legendary river Betwa. This range is covered by huge rocks and deep forests. Recent discoveries of 600 caves and rock shelters belonging to Neolithic age reveal that the whole area has been populated since time immemorial. The walls paintings of the stone age depict mythological scenes, men riding horses and elephants, war  scenes, processions and animals. Red and white dominate the paintings but occasionally green and yellow have also been used.

Sanchi
Sanchi. 46km from Bhopal, Sanchi has the singular distinction of having specimens of almost all kinds of Buddhist architectural forms, stupas, chaityas, temples and monasteries. The magnificient commemorative structure of the Great Stupa No.1 is the oldest some structure in the country. Though the construction of this stupa began during the reign of Ashoka, it was completed by his successors in the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. The relief on the Toranas or Gateways depict Jataka tales of the Buddha’s previous incarnations and main events in his life in symbolic forms like footprints, the Bhodi tree, the wheel of law,
and stupa motifs.

Fact File – Bhopal
Best Season: October to March
STD code: 0755

How to get there
Air: Linked with Delhi, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Mumbai and Rajpur.
Rail: Linked with major cities in the country.
Road: Motor able roads connects Bhopal with Agra, Ahmedabad, Indore, Jabalpur, Kana, Khajuraho, Maheshwar, Mandu, Mumbai, Orchha, Pachmarhi, Pipariya, Sanchi, Ujjain.
Accomadation: Jahan Numa Palace (Heritage Grand), Welcome Noor-us-Sabah Palace (Heritage), The Residency, Amer Palace, Arch Manor, Lake view Ashok, Nisagara, Ranjeet Lake view, Surendra vilas, Grand, Jyoti, Kwality’s Motel Shiraz, Meghdoot, Ranjit, Shrimaya, Samrat, Surya, Youth Hostel, Palash Residency (MPSTDC).