Indore

Indore i/ɪnˈdɔər/ , is the most populous city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It serves as the headquarters of both Indore District and Indore Division. Indore was described by the Economic Times as the commercial capital of the state. It is also considered as an education hub of the state and houses campuses of both the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Management. Located on the southern edge of Malwa Plateau, the city is 190 km west of the state capital of Bhopal. With a census-estimated 2011 population of 2,170,295 (municipal corporation) and 3,254,238 (urban agglomeration), the Indore Metropolitan Area's population is the state's largest. The city is distributed over a land area of just 530 square kilometers making Indore the most densely populated major city in the central province. It comes under Tier 2 cities in India.

Indore traces its roots to its 16th century founding as a trading hub between the Deccan and Delhi. The city and its surroundings came under Hindu Maratha Empire on 18 May 1724 after Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I assumed the full control of Malwa. During the days of the British Raj, Indore State was a 19 Gun Salute (21 locally) princely state (a rare high rank) ruled by the Maratha Holkar dynasty, until they acceded to the Union of India. Indore served as the capital of the Madhya Bharat from 1950 until 1956.

Indore's financial district, anchored by central Indore, functions as the financial capital of the Madhya Pradesh and is home to the Madhya Pradesh Stock Exchange, India's third oldest stock exchange.

Indore has been selected as one of the 100 Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under Smart Cities Mission, it is an urban development vision to integrate multiple information and communication technology. It has also qualified the first round of Smart Cities Mission and has been selected as one of the first twenty cities to be developed as Smart Cities.

History

The Maratha Raj (Holkar Era)

By 1720, the headquarters of the local pargana were transferred from Kampel to Indore, due to the increasing commercial activity in the city. On 18 May 1724, the Nizam accepted the rights of the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I to collect chauth (taxes) from the area. In 1733, the Peshwa assumed the full control of Malwa, and appointed his commander Malhar Rao Holkar as the Subhedar (Governor) of the province. Nandlal Chaudhary accepted the suzerainty of the Marathas.

On 29 July 1732, Bajirao Peshwa-I granted Holkar State by merging 28 and half parganas to Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder ruler of Holkar dynasty. His daughter-in-law Ahilyabai Holkar moved the state's capital to Maheshwar in 1767, but Indore remained an important commercial and military centre.

British Era (Indore/Holkar State)

In 1818, the Holkars were defeated by the British during the Third Anglo-Maratha War, in the Battle of Mahidpur by virtue of which the capital was again moved from Maheshwar to Indore. A residency with British resident was established at Indore, but Holkars continued to rule Indore State as a princely state mainly due to efforts of their Dewan Tatya Jog. During that time, Indore was established the headquarters of British Central Agency. Ujjain was originally the commercial centre of Malwa. But the British administrators such as John Malcolm decided to promote Indore as an alternative to Ujjain, because the merchants of Ujjain had supported anti-British elements.

In 1906 electric supply was started in the city, fire brigade was established in 1909 and in 1918, first master-plan of city was made by noted architect and town planner, Patrick Geddes. During the period of Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II (1852–86) efforts were made for the planned development and industrial development of Indore. With the introduction of Railways in 1875, the business in Indore flourished till the reign of Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar, Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar III and Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar.

• Tookajee Rao Holkar II, Indore, from a drawing by Mr. W. Carpenter, Jun.," from the Illustrated London News, 1857

• HH Tukoji Rao Holkar III, The Maharaja of Indore (1890-1978) by James Lauder, London

• Investiture of His Highness The Maharaja Yeshwant Rao II Holkar Bahadur of Indore 9 May 1930

Post-independence

After India's independence in 1947, Holkar State, along with a number of neighbouring princely states, acceded to Indian Union. In 1948, with the formation of Madhya Bharat, Indore became the summer capital of the state. On 1 November 1956, when Madhya Bharat was merged into Madhya Pradesh, the state capital was shifted to Bhopal. Indore, a city today of nearly 2.1 million residents, has transformed from a traditional commercial urban centre into a modern dynamic commercial capital of the state.

Arts, music and theatre

The Yeshwant Club (named after Late HH The Maharaja Yeshwant Rao II Holkar of Indore) and Sayaji Club/Hotel (named after Late HH The Maharaja Sayaji Rao III Gaekwad of Baroda) are big sponsors for art & music and invite talents from across world. The major art centres in Indore are the Devlalikar kala Vithika, Ravindra Natya Grah (RNG), Mai Mangeshkar Sabha Grah, Anand Mohan Mathur Sabhagrah, DAVV auditorium, Brilliant Convention Centre, etc.

The city has a good Rock/Metal Music culture which is growing. Nicotine, one of the city's earliest and most renowned band is widely known for being the pioneer of Metal Music in Central India.

Festivals

All national festivals such as Holi, Gangaur, Teej, Rang panchmi, Baisakhi, Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janmashtami, Mahavir jayanti, Navratri, Durga puja, Dussehra, Ganesh Utsav, Deepavali, Ramzan, Gudi Padwa, Bhaidooj, Eid, Christmas, Bahai Navruz on 21 March and others like Nagpanchmi, Ahilya Utsav, are celebrated with equal enthusiasm. There are many shiva temples in Indore. Mahashivratri is celebrated to a large extent in Indore. Abhivyati, Hind Rakshak and many more organisations conduct garba mahotsav open for people to watch as well as play.

Rang Panchmi

Rangapanchami is celebrated five days after Dulendi or Holi, and has much bigger importance in Indore than main Holi festival itself. and is celebrated by Indorians in their own distinct style.Here, it is celebrated like Dulendi, but natural colours with or without water are thrown out in the air or poured on others for the whole day by youngsters all over the city. On the event of the festival, the local municipal corporation sprinkles colour mixed water on the main streets of old Indore. Earlier Fire Brigade vehicles were used for this purpose. This stylised Rangapanchami celebration in Indore holds back its roots in the Holkar Reign and continues to be celebrated with the same vigour till date.[better source needed]

Entertainment

Indore has many malls and cinema halls. Much new entertainment will be seen in Indore in the coming months when the city will gain a roller-coster ride, a drop tower, and go-karting track along with many new sources of entertainment. Often there are circuses and magic shows set up at different places which are good sources of entertainment.[better source needed]

Parks and recreation

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Park also known as Pipliyapala park or Indore regional park, it is developed by the Indore Development Authority (IDA). Development of the park is on the 80 acres of land of the pond and 42 acres land near this tank. There is a canal, which covers the whole park starting from one point of the pond and ending at the other part. Attractions in the park include a musical fountain, jumping jet fountain, artists' village, maze, French gardens, bio-diversity garden, mist fountain, fast food zone, boating, and a mini cruise named "Malwa Queen" with two decks accommodating 80 people, a restaurant and private party rooms.
• Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalay or simply Indore Zoo is one of the oldest zoological parks of Indore spread over the area of 4000 sq m. Known for its species like white tigers, Himalayan bear and white peacock, Indore zoo is also a centre for reproduction, protection and exhibition of animals, plants and their habitats.

Historical places

• Rajwada Palace

Rajwada is a historical palace in Indore city. It was built by the Holkars of the Maratha Empire about two centuries ago. This seven storied structure is located near the Chhatris.

• Yeshwant Club

The Yeshwant Club came into existence in the year 1934 at the behest of late HH The Maharaja Tukoji Rao III Holkar of Indore. The Club was established for beloved son, Yuvraj Yeshwant Rao Holkar. Spread over 14 acres it isa Maratha legacy of the Holkar rulers of Indore State. Inititally the club was opened for Maratha royalty, nobility, aristocracy and the officers (Natives and British) of the Holkar State. Later its doors were opened for the business elites. Post-Indian Independence, the admission criteria was revised according to the changing times. HH Maharani Usha Devi, the daughter of late HH Maharaja Yeshwant Rao II Holkar of Indore is the Chief Patron of the Club, the Honorary Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh being the President of the Club. Today, the Club offers a unique blend of culture, sports and entertainment, which makes it one of the best-managed Clubs in the country.

Nearby attractions

There are various places which tourists and citizens of Indore like to visit for weekends and occasion or Holidays.

Maheshwar

Maheshwar is a town in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh state It was the capital of the Malwa during reign of the Maratha Holkars till 6 January 1818, when the capital was shifted to Indore by Malhar Rao Holkar III. Maheshwar has been a centre of handloom weaving since the 5th century. Maheshwar is the home of one of India's hand loom fabric traditions. It is about 90 km from Indore and known for temples, ghats, fort and palaces.

Mandavgarh or Mandu

Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the present-day Mandav area of the Dhar district. It is about 99 km from Indore and knows for its forts, palaces and natural landscape.

Patalpani waterfall

It is 35 km from Indore towards Mhow.