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Bhopal : A Heritage walk The Capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, is renowned for several specialities, ranging from its cuisine and culture to heritage. In a new occasional column, Anita Channer and Shashi Sahai bring us glimpses of this city as an urban destination, taking you through not only what is there to see or do in Bhopal but also where you can sample the best of the local cuisine and also do local shopping. 58

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Taj Ul Mosque

Darululoom Taj Ul Mosque

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Taj Ul Mosque is the popular mosque of the city. Nawab Shah Jehan Begum started building this mosque in 1887 and it was still undercunstruction when she died in 1901. The mosque is spread over 11,000 sqm, with coverd area of 2400 sqm. Its minarets rise to over 67 m in the skies. The mosque can also accomodate 125 persons for staying overnight. A very important aspect of thismosque is its library which has a rare collection of over 20,000 books.

Dome of Darululoom Taj Ul Mosque

Darululoom Taj Ul Mosque Gate

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About 20 km from the city centre is Islamnagar, a fortress with an entire city within. Built as Jagdishpur by Rajput rulers in the late 17th century, it was captured in 1715 by a Muslim ruler, who eventually captured entire Bhopal region. The fortress has several important monuments like Chaman Mahal, a palace with a royal hamam and a beautiful garden, a arare Mughal garden in Central India. The architecture is a unique melange of the Rajput, Mughal and Malwa styles. Rani Mahal or the palace of the Queen, has been built around an open courtyard with buildings on raised plinths and carved arches encircling it. The Rani Mahal leads to a museum, which has several portraits of the Islamic rulers. Beyond the museum is Charbagh, a typical Mughal garden with water courses, fountains and water chutes, fed by water from a near-by river drawn up animals, filled into high reservoirs and allowed to flow down to the gardens.

Boat Club

Shahid Gate

Islam Nagar

Bhopal Gate is the city’s martyr’s memorial, located in the heart of the old city. The denizens of the city and tourists alike gather at the lake for boating and sailing. Bharat Bhavan is a rich repository of numerous tribal handicrafts and artefacts. ManasBhavan is a museum of human history with a rich collection as well.

Bharat Bhawan

Chaman Palace

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Rani Palace

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Bhopal, like many Indian cities, is clearly divided into two - old and new. each section reflecting its own culture, architecture and attractions for visitors. While the new city has its shopping malls, but the best buys can still be found in the lanes and by lanes of the old city, which is also home to the best culinary delights of the city. Shan-e-Bhopal is a unique restaurant is decorated like a railway station, with a real coach, platform etc to give the visitors the impression of a railway station. The restaurant is a big hit.

Sulemani Tea

Bhopal is also famous for its varitey of cuisine, with outlets like Sulemani Tea, which has a salty taste and is the most popular beverage of the Old City. The tea is downed after a sumptuous dinner with delicacies like Kababsand Niharis, reflecting the Islamic influence on the city.

Shan-e-Bhopal Restaurant Old Bhopal market

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Prehistoric caves at Shamla Hills

Shamla Hills in Bhopal are also a must see for touirists. The hills are home to a cluster of 20 prehistoric caves, with a very rich collection of paintings and designs predating even the Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilization. The caves are part of a larger network of caves and rock paintingsfound inthe Narmada Valley Civilization that flourished over large parts of Madhya Pradesh several millenium ago. 66

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