Madhya Pradesh, often referred to as the Heart of India. It has its roots in the Prehistoric Ages. The history of Madhya Pradesh can be easily divided into ancient, medieval and modern. The ancient history of Madhya Pradesh deals with the rise of Ujjain and several ruling dynasties. Its medieval history witnessed the rise of the Muslim rule in India and the modern history narrates the tales of imperialism and the battle to achieve freedom.
¤ Ancient History
One of the earliest dwellings of mankind can be found in the pre-historic caves of Bhimbetka, a place close to Bhopal. The early history of Madhya Pradesh goes back to 320 BC when Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan Empire which included many places of modern day Madhya Pradesh. Ashoka, the great Mauryan emperor was powerful in the Malwa region. It is also believed that Ashoka’s wife was from Vidisha, a town north of today's Bhopal. With the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire became weak and theregion came under the rule of Sakas, Kushanas, and some local dynasties during the 3rd to 1st centuries BC. The Satavahana dynasty of the northern Deccan ruled theregion in between 1st and 3rd centuries AD. Towards the end of 4th century the region came under Gupta dynasty and it continued for over 150 years and finally collapsed towards the end of the 5th century. Ujjain became the predominant commercial center of western India during the ancient period.
¤ Medieval History
The medieval history of Madhya Pradesh goes back to the period after 5th century. The medieval history of Madhya Pradesh witnesses the rise of Harsha of Thanesar who reorganised the states of Northern India. With the decline of Gupta Empire, India was divided into several small states. But the reorganization was carried out by King Harsha of Thanesar before his death in 647AD. During this period the rise of Rajput clans was significant. From 950 to 1050AD the Paramaras of Malwa and the Chandelas of Bundelkhand constructed the fantastic series of temples at Khajuraho in the north of the state. Between the 12th and 16th centuries, theregion saw continuing struggles between Hindu and Muslims rulers or invaders. Important independent regional kingdoms include Tomara Rajput kingdom of Gwalior and the Muslim Sultanate of Malwa, with its capital at Mandu. With the Akbar`s ascension to the throne of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh became his stronghold from 1556 to 1605 AD. Madhya Pradesh once again underwent transfer of powers when the Marathas snatched away the reins of power from the Mughals in 1720. They ruled over Madhya Pradesh till 1760 AD.
¤ Modern History
Madhya Pradesh was a strong hold of Mughal emperor Akbar from 1556 to 1605. After Aurangzeb died in 1707, the Mughal Empire declined and Marathas began to control over the state. Between 1720 and 1760 the Marathas took control of most ofMadhya Pradesh , and Maratha clans established semi-autonomous states under the nominal control of the Maratha Peshwa. The power of the Marathas came into an end in 1761 after the defeat in the battle of Panipat.
In between 18th and 19th century the British were expanding their dominion in India from bases in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. The state ushered into the modern period with British supremacy. Several freedom fighters, including Chandrasekhar Azad, hailed from this Central Indian state. Most ofMadhya Pradesh came under British Supremacy when the British won the third Anglo-Maratha War. Then the regions including Indore, Bhopal, Nagpur, Rewa, and dozens of other small areas became princely states of British India.
When India got her independence in 1947, the former British Central Provinces and Berar and the princely states of Makrai and Chhattisgarh were made a separate state with Nagpur as the capital. In 1956, the states of Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, and Bhopal were merged intoMadhya Pradesh, and the Marathi-speaking southern region Vidarbha, which included Nagpur, was ceded to Bombay state. Then Bhopal became the new capital of Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh remained as the largest state of the country from 1956 to 2000. In November 2000, as part of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act, the southeastern portion of the state carved out to form the new state of Chhattisgarh with a huge tribal population. Today Madhya Pradesh stands out as an important state in the Indian sub-continent with its historical places, natural beauty, an interesting demography and numerous places of interest.
¤ Ancient History
One of the earliest dwellings of mankind can be found in the pre-historic caves of Bhimbetka, a place close to Bhopal. The early history of Madhya Pradesh goes back to 320 BC when Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan Empire which included many places of modern day Madhya Pradesh. Ashoka, the great Mauryan emperor was powerful in the Malwa region. It is also believed that Ashoka’s wife was from Vidisha, a town north of today's Bhopal. With the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire became weak and theregion came under the rule of Sakas, Kushanas, and some local dynasties during the 3rd to 1st centuries BC. The Satavahana dynasty of the northern Deccan ruled theregion in between 1st and 3rd centuries AD. Towards the end of 4th century the region came under Gupta dynasty and it continued for over 150 years and finally collapsed towards the end of the 5th century. Ujjain became the predominant commercial center of western India during the ancient period.
¤ Medieval History
The medieval history of Madhya Pradesh goes back to the period after 5th century. The medieval history of Madhya Pradesh witnesses the rise of Harsha of Thanesar who reorganised the states of Northern India. With the decline of Gupta Empire, India was divided into several small states. But the reorganization was carried out by King Harsha of Thanesar before his death in 647AD. During this period the rise of Rajput clans was significant. From 950 to 1050AD the Paramaras of Malwa and the Chandelas of Bundelkhand constructed the fantastic series of temples at Khajuraho in the north of the state. Between the 12th and 16th centuries, theregion saw continuing struggles between Hindu and Muslims rulers or invaders. Important independent regional kingdoms include Tomara Rajput kingdom of Gwalior and the Muslim Sultanate of Malwa, with its capital at Mandu. With the Akbar`s ascension to the throne of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh became his stronghold from 1556 to 1605 AD. Madhya Pradesh once again underwent transfer of powers when the Marathas snatched away the reins of power from the Mughals in 1720. They ruled over Madhya Pradesh till 1760 AD.
¤ Modern History
Madhya Pradesh was a strong hold of Mughal emperor Akbar from 1556 to 1605. After Aurangzeb died in 1707, the Mughal Empire declined and Marathas began to control over the state. Between 1720 and 1760 the Marathas took control of most ofMadhya Pradesh , and Maratha clans established semi-autonomous states under the nominal control of the Maratha Peshwa. The power of the Marathas came into an end in 1761 after the defeat in the battle of Panipat.
In between 18th and 19th century the British were expanding their dominion in India from bases in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. The state ushered into the modern period with British supremacy. Several freedom fighters, including Chandrasekhar Azad, hailed from this Central Indian state. Most ofMadhya Pradesh came under British Supremacy when the British won the third Anglo-Maratha War. Then the regions including Indore, Bhopal, Nagpur, Rewa, and dozens of other small areas became princely states of British India.
When India got her independence in 1947, the former British Central Provinces and Berar and the princely states of Makrai and Chhattisgarh were made a separate state with Nagpur as the capital. In 1956, the states of Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, and Bhopal were merged intoMadhya Pradesh, and the Marathi-speaking southern region Vidarbha, which included Nagpur, was ceded to Bombay state. Then Bhopal became the new capital of Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh remained as the largest state of the country from 1956 to 2000. In November 2000, as part of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act, the southeastern portion of the state carved out to form the new state of Chhattisgarh with a huge tribal population. Today Madhya Pradesh stands out as an important state in the Indian sub-continent with its historical places, natural beauty, an interesting demography and numerous places of interest.
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