India is a country that has a rich history of culture and traditions. For its geographical location in the center of India, it is also fondly called the ‘Heart of India’. With so much to explore and experience, the state attracts millions of visitors every year. Endowed with rich natural resources, rare flora and fauna, and breath-taking natural splendors, Madhya Pradesh has preserved its ancient heritage and inheritance.
Here are 23 interesting facts about Madhya Pradesh that would make you appreciate it even more:
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1. It is the second largest state in India after Rajasthan
It was the largest state till October 2000, when Chhattisgarh was part of it. With an area of 308,252 sq. km. It is also the fifth largest in terms of population.
2. First capital of Madhya Pradesh was Nagpur
After Independence Madhya Pradesh constituted only of southern parts of today’s Madhya Pradesh and north-eastern parts of today’s Maharashtra. Nagpur was its capital city.
3. The shift of the capital city
In 1956, the new Madhya Pradesh was created by combining the states of Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, and Bhopal and removing the Marathi-speaking Vidarbha region. Bhopal was made the capital city.
4. Chanderi sarees adorn the historic town of Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh
The Chanderi Sarees are also adorned around the globe for the artistry behind their creation.
5. One of the oldest cave collections in India
Touted as one of the oldest cave collections in India, some of the rock shelters were inhabited more than 100,000 years ago. Bhimbetka site has the oldest known rock art in the Indian sub-continent, dating back more than 30,000 years.
6. The amazing Khajuraho Temples
These ancient and one-of-a-kind temples in the world are adorned with intricate erotic and sensuous carvings. The sculptures showcase the open, progressive and artistic heritage of the time. These monuments are the epitome of architectural marvel and elegance.
7. Wildlife at Bandhavgarh
‘Land of the Tigers’, Bandhavgarh National Park is the place with the highest density of Royal Bengal tigers in the world and is home to some of the most exotic wildlife, which is difficult to spot in other parts of India. There is a saying about the park, that goes “In any other park, you are lucky to spot a tiger, in Bandhavgarh you are unlucky if you don’t spot (at least) once”.
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8. Birthplace of legendary people
Madhya Pradesh has been the birthplace of many legends of India, the likes of Chandra Shekhar Azad, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Kailash Satyarthi, Jaya Bachchan, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and many others.

Nobel Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi. Financial Times
9. The inspiration for “Jungle Book”
Rudyard Kipling was inspired by the forests of Kanha National Park to write the famous children’s novel “Jungle Book”.
10. Marble rocks of Bhedaghat
Situated at Bhedaghat by the side of river Narmada, the Marble Rocks present picturesque scenery. The river was carved out of an eight-kilometer beautiful gorge through these soft marble rocks and is a popular tourist spot. It is also famous for the beautiful “Dhuadhar” waterfalls.
11. A mineral rich state
Madhya Pradesh has the largest reserves of diamond and copper in India. It is also rich in coal, manganese bauxite, and dolomite.
12. Rich history of Indian classical music
For centuries, Madhya Pradesh has been famous for its classical and folk music. In fact, India’s two medieval legendary singers, Tansen and Baiju Bawra were born near Gwalior.
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Swami Haridasa with Tansen and Akbar at Vrindavana. wikimedia
13. Sandipani Ashram – The school of Lord Krishna
As per the Bhagavata Purana, it was at the Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain, that Lord Krishna, his brother Balrama and their friend Sudama completed their education and mastered every single lesson taught by Guru Sandipani, who was a Rishi (Sage) in Ujjain.
14. Largest number of tribal groups in India
Madhya Pradesh is home to a large number of ethnic groups and tribes namely Gond, Bhil, Bagia, Korku, Bhadia, Malto, Kaul, Dhar, and many more. As per the 2011 census, the tribal/Adivasi population is 21.1% of the total population of the state.
15. The city of temples – Ujjain
Being one of the four places in India where Kumbh Mela is hosted, Ujjain is often referred to as the “City of Temples”, as it houses some of India’s most popular temples.
16. Massive road and rail network
Being a landlocked state with no coastline, bus and train services cover most of Madhya Pradesh. It has a humongous 99,043 km of road network, including 20 National Highways and a 4948 km long rail network that crisscrosses the state.
17. Low literacy rate of Madhya Pradesh
As per the census of 2001, the literacy rate in the state is about 70.6%, which is lower than the national average of 74.04%.
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18. The historic city of Gwalior
Gwalior is Madhya Pradesh’s tourist capital. This historic city is replete with forts, museums, and other historic monuments, which gives a glimpse of the bygone era. Patankar bazaar, is a popular market, offering the tourist a great selection of handicrafts, wall hangings, dolls, artificial jewelry, etc.
19. Rivers of Madhya Pradesh
Narmada is the longest river in Madhya Pradesh and has many tributaries. Tapti river runs parallel to the Narmada and the two rivers together, provide drainage to almost a quarter of the land area of the state. Surprisingly, all the rivers which drain in the Ganges, flow from South to North!
20. The beautiful hills of Pachmarhi
Situated at an altitude of 1,352 meters above sea level, Pachmarhi is a very popular tourist hill station located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. It is also widely known as “Satpura ki Rani” (Queen of Satpura). The name Pachmarhi is derived from the Hindi words ‘Panch’ (Five) and ‘Marhi’ (Caves), believed to have been carved out by the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata era, during their thirteen years of exile.
21. The Great Stupa at Sanchi
Commissioned in the 2nd century BCE by the Mauryan Emperor ‘Ashoka’, the Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India built over the relics of Buddha. The town of Sanchi is central to many Buddhist Stupas, all within a few miles of it.
22. Has the largest reserve of Diamond in India
Madhya Pradesh has 11 metric tonnes of graphite deposits which were discovered in the Betul district.
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23. Bhopal’s old newspapers
Farz is the only Sindhi newspaper in Bhopal and Nadeem is the oldest Urdu daily.
With such a rich history and beautiful places to see, Madhya Pradesh is truly a spectacular place.
Also read- 25 Incredible Places To Visit In Madhya Pradesh Which Makes It Your Next Traveling Destination
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