History and Geography

Madhya Pradesh is the second largest Sate in India, and geographically occupies pivotal position in the country. King Ashoka first of 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, Mahmud of Ghazni being the first of them, followed by 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, the Marathas were in power in Central India, but later on, other 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 some 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 is bound in north by Uttar Pradesh, east by Chhattisgarh, south by Maharashtra, and west by Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The District Planning Committees for the district level governance have been empowered to plan and execute development works. A system of village level governance, Gram Swaraj is operative. The Gram Sabhas have been equipped with extensive executive and financial powers regarding development matters.

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 2004-2005 was estimated at about 12.47 m. ha. The food grain production was 14.10m. metric tonne. The productivity of major crops like wheat, rice, pulses has also been good. The National Horticulture Mission has been implemented in 20 districts. A separate Horticulture and Food Processing Department has been set up.

Industry and Minerals

Madhya Pradesh has entered the era of high-tech industries such as electronics, telecommunications, automobiles, Information Technology, etc. The state is producing 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 Electrical's Ltd. at Bhopal, Security 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 tonne 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. Letters of intent for establishment of industries with an investment of Rs. 5200 crore have since been received. The docks have been cleared for the long pending Rs. 10,300 crore Oman Bina Refinary 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.

The State Government has implemented a new I.T. Policy to attract private investment in I.T. sector.

Madhya Pradesh is a mineral rich state. The state produced minerals worth Rs. 5050.05 in 2004-05. It produces 21 types of minerals. The output of minerals in 2004-05 was -dolomite - 128 thousand metric tonne, diamond - 78315 thousand carats, limestone - 24938 thousand metric tonne, bauxite-196 thousand million metric tonne and copper ore - 2054 thousand million metric tonne. The coal production was 52683 thousand metric tonne. The State is famous for its traditional handicrafts and handloom cloths manufactured in Chanderi and Maheshwar.

Irrigation and Power

The net area under irrigation was 6.19 million-hectare in the year 2004-2005. 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 2004-2005 was 7405 M.W. There are eight hydroelectric power stations with 747.5 MW installed capacity. A total of 50,475 out of 51806 villages had been electrified. Power generation is 2050 M.W.

The Government of M.P. has formed a joint venture (Narmada Hydro Electric Development Corporation) with National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation, a Government of India undertaking for execution of 1000 M.W. Indira Sagar Hydro-electric Project and 520 M.W. Omkareshwar Hydro-Electric Power Project. The Indira Sagar Project has been completed ahead of schedule. The state government has enacted Madhya Pradesh Power Reform Act for qualitative improvement in energy sector. Five companies have been constituted for generation, distribution and transmission.

Development Initiatives

Madhya Pradesh Rural Employment Scheme has been implemented in 18 districts. M.P. has topped in the country in its implementation. National Horticulture Mission has been launched to boost horticulture and productivity in the state.

Transport

Roads: The total length of roads in the state is 72416 km. The length of national highway in the state is 4676 km while State highway extends to 8099 km. The state government has taken up the construction and upgradation of roads in a big way and about 60 thousand kilometres roads will be constructed and upgraded. The year 2005 is being observed as the Year of Roads during which every month construction of an important road would be completed.

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 Bedight 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 Bhedaghat, 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 may 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.