Madhya Pradesh
State of Madhya Pradesh is centrally located and is often called as the "Heart of India". The State is home to a rich cultural heritage and has practically everything - innumerable monuments, large Plateau, spectacular mountain ranges, meandering rivers and miles and miles of dense forests offering a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife in sylvan surroundings. Madhya Pradesh is commonly abbreviated as M.P. Its name "Madhya Pradesh" means "Central Region" because it is located at Centre of India just like heart in the Human body. Till year 2000, Madhya Pradesh was the largest state of India in area-wise but after creation of Chattisgarh state from Madhya Pradesh, it become second largest state in area-wise and 6th largest state in population wise. Its among few states of India who shares their state border with other states of India and not with any other country or coastal line. Its north-east border touches Uttar Pradesh state, north-west border touches Rajasthan, western border touches Gujarat, south-west border touches Maharashtra state and south-east border touches Chattisgarh.
The history of Madhya Pradesh goes back to the time of Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler. Major portion of Central India formed parts of the Gupta Empire (300-550 AD). In the first half of the seventh century it was part of domains of famous emperor Harsha. The close of tenth century was a period of confusion. In the early eleventh century the Muslims entered central India, First Mahmud of Ghazni & then Mohammad Gori who incorporated certain parts of Central India with Sultanate of Delhi. Mughals also ruled some parts of Central India. Some great women rulers like Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, Gond queen Rani Kamla Devi & Rani Durgawati also ruled here for a brief period.
After Independence, all the states signed the instrument of accession in to the Indian Union & on 28th May, 1948 a new state, Madhya Bharat came into existence with Indore & Gwalior as its capital. In the north, as the result of merger of 35 princely states of Bundelkhand & Baghelkhand, Madhya Pradesh came into being on April 1948 & in 1952, an elected ministry was formed with Rewa as its capital.
The topography of Madhya Pradesh ranges from plateau with the Vindhya & the Satpura mountain ranges, the plains in the east, meandering rivers, rocky hills & ravines of lush green forests. State offers all important pillars of Indian tourism like Pilgrim tourism, Wildlife tourism, Heritage tourism, Adventure Tourism, History & Cultural Tourism etc.