Madhya Pradesh often called the heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh was originally the largest state in India until November 1, 2000 when the state Chhattisgarh was carved out. It borders the state Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The history of Madhya Pradesh goes back to the time of Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler. A major portion of Central India formed part 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 with Sultanate of Delhi. It also formed part of Mughal empire with the rise of Maratha's. Till the death of Madhoji Scindia in 1794, Marathas ruled supreme in Central India, but after that independent & smaller states came into being. The disintegrated smaller states paved way for British suzerainty. Some great women rulers like Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, Gond queen Rani Kamla Devi & Rani Durgawati have carved a nick for them in history. When India became independent in 1947, the British Indian province of Central Provinces and Berar formed Madhya Pradesh.

Bhopal, the capital city of the largest state in India, Madhya Pradesh, is also known as the City of Lakes because of the two beautiful lakes that are situated in the center of the city. Bhopal is a beautiful city also famous for its mosques. The city of lakes, Bhopal, is divided as; Old Bhopal and New Bhopal. Both the new Bhopal and the old Bhopal are contradictory to each other. One of the greenest cities of India, it has wide, clean, well-lit roads lined with fiery, tall Gulmohar trees.

The historic city Gwalior is situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh on the main New Delhi-Mumbai and New Delhi-Chennai rail route. About 321 km from the national capital New Delhi, Gwalior is an important city of Madhya Pradesh in India. Gwalior is an old city, known for its old and massive forts. The legend says, Gwalior derives its name from a great sage Gwalipa who cured a chief of the Kachwaha clan suffering from leprosy. Today, Gwalior is one of the most developed cities of India with factories producing cotton, yarn, paint, ceramics, chemicals, and leather products. The city is also famous for many esteemed educational institutions.

Indore is an important industrial city of central India, situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh, also known as 'Mini Mumbai'. Indore is also known as the city of the Holkars and was built by a Queen of Holkar dynasty Ahilya Bai. The city is situated in the Narmada River valley in the western part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It has a number of historical monuments and temples. The architecture of the monuments in Indore is a blend of different styles.

Almost due south of Khajuraho and east of Bhopal, the large city of Jabalpur is principally famous today for the gorge on the Narmada River known as the Marble rocks. It's also the departure point for a visit to the national parks of Kanha (160 km) and Bandhavgarh (197 km).

Jhansi, 105 km south of Gwalior, is actually just across the border in Uttar Pradesh, but for convenience we have included it here. Jhansi has played a major role in Indian history, and convenient transit point for Khajuraho, and increasingly for Orchha, only 18 Km away. The last of a string of rajas died in 1853 and the Rani Lakshmibai was forcibly retired by the British. The rani fled to Gwalior and, in a valiant last stand, she rode out against British, disguised as a man, and was killed.

The exotic images of Khajuraho are located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho is an amazing gift of love to the world. Beautifully carved structures depict every aspect of human life. There are intricate carvings of women in luring positions, on the walls, ceiling, windows and pillars of Khajuraho temples depicting carnal love. These temples were spread through a high forest region and were rediscovered only a few years ago.
These temples were built by the Chandela dynasty that survived for five centuries before falling to the onslaught of Islam. Almost all Khajuraho's temples record a century long burst of creative genius from 950-1050 AD.

Orchha means 'hidden', it is situated 16 kms away from Jhansi, on the banks of the river Betwa in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is surrounded by charming hills and greenery. This small village was once the capital of the region ( Bundelkhand). The historical monuments of Orchha still retain their pristine charm and narrate stories of war and peace, of love and destruction.

Sanchi is located 46 kms from Bhopal, on an isolated hill, it holds an unmatched place in Buddhist history. Sanchi is famous for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars standing tall from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. The Sanchi Stupa 1 is one of the most famous of these monuments and was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. He was then the governor of Ujjayini, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant from a nearby place called Vidisha. Their son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra were born in Ujjayini and sent to Sri Lanka, where they converted the King, the Queen and their people to Buddhism.

Ujjain is situated at a distance of 56 km from Indore and is one of the holiest cities for Hindus. It is situated on the bank of the sacred river Shipra in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Having mythological legends, the city also has a long and distinguished history. This ancient city was governed by great emperors like Vikramaditya and Ashoka. Kalidas, the great poet wrote his soul stirring poetry here.