Indore: History, How To Reach Indore, Best Time To Visit, Tourism

Indore is the largest city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It’s also the most densely populated city in central India. Indore is known as the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh. It’s also known as the “City of Cotton Mills”.

Name:	Indore – Street Food Capital of India
Location:	Indore District, Madhya Pradesh
Climate:	Summers: 42° C (Max), 30° C (Min) | Winters: 11° C (Max), 4° C (Min)
Best Time to Visit:	October to March
Nearest Airport:	Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Domestic Airport
Railway Station:	Indore Junction Railway Station
Must Visits:	Central Museum, Chhatris, Chokhi Dhani, Kanch Mandir, Lal Baag Palace, Rajwada, Annapurna Temple, Bada Ganpati Temple (25 ft. idol), Crystal Temple, Deoguradia (monolithic rock temple built in 7th century), Hrinkar Giri, Gomat Giri
Language Spoken:	Hindi, Marathi, Malawi, and English.
STD Code:	0731

Indore is a dazzling city, which is also an important commercial center of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This historical city is world renowned for its glorious past and is located just 190 km towards west from the state capital Bhopal. Geographically, it is located on the southern edge of the Malwa plateau, on the banks of River Saraswati and River Khan, which is somewhat the central point of India. Indore city comes under the administrative district of Indore and is spread over an area of 3,898 square kilometers. It is situated at an elevation of 553 m above the average sea level and thus, has a humid subtropical climate. This type of climate includes extremely hot and scorching summers (April-May), cools winters (mid-November-February) and pleasant monsoons (July-September) with an average rainfall of 890-970 mm yearly. October to March is the ideal time to visit this beautiful city.

In its early years, the city of Indore was known by many different names like Ahilyanagri (1607-1794) and Indhur (1800-1950). Some of the folklores say that the present name Indore had been derived from Indreshwar temple, constructed by Ved Manuj in the year 1741. Rao Nandlal Chaudhary is believed to be the founder of Indore city, as this is the place where he built a fort named Shree Sansthan Bada Rawala to protect his people from Mughals. In 1733, Malhar Rao Holkar was declared as the Maratha Governor, who was later succeeded by his daughter in law Ahilyabai who ruled the empire from the palace-fort at Maheshwar. Many magnificent Hindu temples which are architectural marvels at this time were made during her reign as she was a great patron of architecture. After Independence in 1947, Indore became the part of the Indian State of Madhya Bharat, which was later divided into Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra on November 1, 1956.

Indore is the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh with a bulk of industries ranging from automobile to pharmaceuticals and from software to retail. The city also serves as the home for Pithampur, the Special Economic Zone which is known as the Detroit of India. Indore has a plethora of historical monuments and architectural marvels, which attract thousands of tourists to this charming city, to experience our rich cultural heritage. Central Museum, Chhatris, Chokhi Dhani, Kanch Mandir, Lal Baag Palace, Rajwada, Annapurna Temple, Bada Ganpati Temple (25 ft. idol), Crystal Temple, Deoguradia (monolithic rock temple built in 7th century), Hrinkar Giri (Jain Temple) and Gomat Giri (Jain Temple) are some of the favourite attractions amongst tourists. Presenting a charming blend of historicity and modernness, the city of Indore proves itself to be one of the most popular tourism destinations of the state.

Best Time to Visit Indore

Indore, a city where historical past, technological advancements and architectural grandeur walks hand in hand, is inarguably the most important tourist hub of Central India. Nestled on the banks of River Narmada, Indore, popularly deemed as ‘Mini Mumbai‘, is wadded with a spate of historical monuments that testifies to the courage, affluence and innovative artisanship of the Holkars. The most recent advancements in the field of textiles, automobiles, and IT industry have made the city one of the leading commercial centers in India. Adding to the natural and economical triumph is the number of educational institute spread across the city that attracts scores of aspiring students from across the world. To know more about the beauty and glory of Indore, do take out some time to explore the blissful lanes of the land. However, before you plan your trip, make sure you visit the place at the right time to enjoy your vacation to the utmost. Explore the article below to know more about the best time to visit Indore.

When To Go To Indore

Season

Thanks to its positioning on the geographical map, Indore enjoys a moderate climate all throughout the year. The summer season, which extends from April to June, is usually intense with mercury levels shuttling between 35° C to 40° C. During the peak summer days, the temperature can even skyrocket to 45° C. Nevertheless, the evening land breeze blowing from Malwa plateau brings a comforting change from the blistering sunny days of summers. From July to September, the city receives light drizzle that lowers the intensity of simmering summer largely. During the winter months of November to February, Indore witnesses extremely cold weather with temperature ranging between to 2° C to 3° C.

Best Time To Explore Indore

Although there is no particular time to visit the city, yet the months between October to March are considered as the best, as the city looks great post-monsoon. The popular festivals of Indore, namely Deepavali, Ganeshotsava and Rang Panchami are all celebrated with great fanfare during this time that helps you to explore the cultural side of this city. When planning a visit to Indore, make sure you have a fair idea of the weather conditions and do carry all the necessary cloths to make yourself comfortable.

Places To See

Endowed with a slew of tourist attractions, Indore is visited by tourists from around the world. Ranking high on Madhya Pradesh’s list of tourist cities, the city captivates the attention of every visitor by its historical monuments, temples and other architectural splendors. Some of the notable attractions of the city are Rajwada, Kanch Mandir, Central Museum, Lalbagh Palace and Chatri Bagh. A slew of good hotels in the city offer best service at affordable rates. Therefore, the tourists can pick their accommodation according to their interest and pocket.

History of Indore

A flourishing city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Indore is placed on the western part of the state, close to the capital city of Bhopal. Being located in the center of the sub-continent, the place is deemed as an important stopover. For many decades, Indore remained as the capital of Holkar dynasty until Rani Ahilyabai Holkar shifted her administrative court to Maheshwar. During the peak of the Mughal Empire, the place was relatively peaceful until the intervention of the Maratha rulers. The royal members of Indore enjoyed the privileges of confirmatory rights given to them by the Mughal rulers such as Aurangzeb, Alamgir and Farukhshayar. During the British rule, the capital of Holkar became a part of the East Indian Company. The futile efforts by the Marathas to resist the English invasion demolished the last Hindu kingdom in the region. The British ruled this area until Indian Independence in 1947. Read the article to know more about the history of Indore.

Indore History

Early Founders

Rao Nandlal Chaudhary, the zamindar of this region, is believed to be the founder of Indore. According to the legends, once Rao Nandlal was on his way to the Indreshwar Temple, situated close to the banks of the River Saraswathi, when he came across a site that was well protected by natural barriers and looked safe. Impressed by it, he shifted his capital there, erected a citadel, and named it as Indrapur. He erected the Fort Shree Sansthan Bada Rawala to protect his group of followers from the constant raids of the Mughal Emperors. Although the city was named after the Indreshwar temple, it later came to be known as Indore.

Mughal Rule

With the invasion of the Muslim rule in the continent, just like the rest of the states in northern India, Madhya Pradesh also went through a phase of power struggle. Although there were not many turbulent and gory battles fought between the rulers of this region, there was indeed disharmony among the Mughal and the Maratha kings. During the climax of the Mughal reign in India, Rao Nandlal visited the Delhi Sultan to make peace with him. The Indore landlord is believed to have pleased the Islamic king who gifted him two jewel studded swords. During the peace treaty, the Indore zamindar accepted the confirmatory sanad that also gained him a close acquaintance with the Raja Savai Jai Singh of Jaipur that eventually earned him a place in the Durbars of India. The above events not only earned the respect of the royal members but also led to the formation of influential allies with the rulers of this region. Meanwhile, during 1713, when the Delhi Sultan favored a particular Nizam as the future administer of the Deccan region, further conflicts broke out between the Marathas and the Mughals.

Holkar Rule

In the year 1733 A.D., Baji Rao Peshwa regained control over Malwa. It was during this time when the Peshwa king honored the Malhar Rao with the title ‘Subhedar’. Over the years, the decedents of the Holkar family went by the name of Maratha Maharajas in this region. Thus, historians believe that Malhar Rao is said to have established the Holkar dynasty. He ruled the region as a governor but was also given the control of the Malwa army in the year 1724. Towards the end of his reign in 1766, the Maratha Malwa emerged as an independent kingdom. After his demise, the region was administered by Malhar’s daughter-in-law, Ahilyabai Holkar, who managed to keep Malwa away from the ambitious clutches of the British. She controlled the region from 1767 to 1795 from Maheshwar. Ahilyabai Holkar, besides being an able warrior, strategists and an administrator to the people, was also a patron of structural design as seen from the enormous amount of wealth that she contributed towards building many Hindu temples across India.

British India

When India was beginning to feel the dominance of the English rule, the Malwa region also experienced the same. In 1818, the Holkars were overpowered by the British in the third attempt of the Anglo-Maratha War in the Battle of Mahidpur. The defeat in Mahidpur also led to the signing of the treaty of Mandsaur. The truce settlement involved the town of Mhow falling under the British occupied territory. The town of Mhow later became a military base in this region.

Post-Independence

After India attained its independence in the year 1947, just like other princely states, Indore was merged with the state of Madhya Pradesh. Indore, today, enjoys the privileges of being Madhya Pradesh’s summer capital. During the reorganization of the states in 1956, Bhopal was named as the future capital of the state.

Shopping

Indore, despite of its royal roots, has succeeded to transform itself into a major commercial centre today. Over the last few decades, there have been substantial changes in the city, resulting in the phenomenal growth of Indore, from a small quiet town to a thriving business destination. With the establishment of several markets, the economy of the city has grown many folds. Today, Indore mainly holds distinction as one of India’s significant industrial hub. However, despite of its growth, the city has managed to retain much of its old world charm and princely influence that can be well perceived from the different works of art found in the city. Boasting of a spate of traditional hand weaves and international designer brands, shopping in Indore is a wonderful experience. Besides its wide spread collection of textiles, Indore is also well known for its handicraft goods, wooden items, jewelry and more. Read the article to know more on the shopping places in Indore.

Shopping Places In Indore

MT Market

Although Indore cannot be tagged as a shopper’s paradise, the city lanes are wadded with several small shops that trade in local specialties and handwork fabrics, ranging from beautiful zaris to colorful tie-and-dye fabrics to stunning block prints and lots more. Talking about clothes, one cannot forget to mention the classic Maheshwari and Chanderi saris that are known for their exquisite zari work on glittering brocades and stunning hues. If you wish to pick a few saris for friends and family, then visit MT market, one of the oldest markets in the city and the biggest wholesale hub. You can also visit Rajwara market for more traditional designs. However, if you are looking for contemporary patterns fused with traditional fabric work, then Sitlamata Bazaar is the place to go.

Topkhana & Jail Road

Apart from clothes, Indore is also famous for its handicraft products like wooden cravings, handmade paper items, and several kinds of souvenirs that make for wonderful keepsakes. The best place to shop for such artifacts is Topkhana and Jail Road. If you plan to pick up something from here, then make sure that you haggle hard to bag a good deal on your purchases. Also, check out the government-managed emporiums in the city located on MG Road. You can be assured about its quality even though the prices in these places remains fixed.

Bara Sarafa & Chotta Sarafa

The love affair between women and the sparkling array of gems is an old one. Bara Sarafa and Chotta Sarafa are two great places to pick up a few trinkets and splurge on cosmetic jewelries. The shops in this market area have a large spread out of both modern and traditional Indian jewelry designs, making this place a hot favorite with women and gold lovers.

Khajuri Bazaar

If clothes and jewelry do not interest you, then you can browse through the bookstores situated in the city. For all those avid bookworms, you can visit the book houses at Khajuri Bazaar. The shops in this market place has a nice collection of both Indian and international authors.

Kothari Market & Heritage Market

Apart from traditional weaves and handlooms, Indore’s shopping lanes boasts of several international brands such as Lee, Nike, Louis Philippe etc. that attracts high-end buyers. The best place to indulge on branded clothes is Kothari Market and Heritage Market.

Places To See In Indore

A trip to the industrial town of Indore is likely to win your hearts. Wonder how? This historical city, that was once home to the Holkars, is swathed with eye-catching monuments, sacred shrines, countless tourist shops and local stalls selling finger-licking cuisine that are sure to bowl over any tourist visiting this place for the first time. Lodged within the western confines of Madhya Pradesh, Indore, with its regal elegance and commercial importance, have always attracted the attention of globetrotters and tradesman alike. Being the imperial seat of the Holkars, the city sashays several historical monuments and religious places that reveals oodles about the architectural splendor and imperial loftiness of the place. With its intriguing tales from the pasts, mind-blowing monuments and endless allurements, Indore serves as a major tourist attraction in India. To explore more about the city and know all about the tourist attraction here, scroll down the article below.

Tourist Attractions

Rajwada Palace

Historical Rajwada Palace, situated in the main city square near Khajuri Bazaar, serves as the magnificent remnant of the Holkar dynasty. This impressive seven-storied edifice of Holkar’s attracts tourists by its renowned structure, which is a rich fusion of French, Mughal and Maratha architecture. Boasting of nearly 200-year-old history, the palace serves as a backdrop for well-laid gardens, dazzling fountain and artificial waterfall.

Lalbagh Palace

Lalbagh Palace, spread across a sprawling area of 28 hectares of land, stands as the commanding testimony of Holkar dynasty. Established in 1886 by Tukoji Rao Holkar II, the construction of this mansion was completed in the year 1921 by Tukoji Rao Holkar III. With the exceptional display of culture and opulence, the Lalbagh Palace serves as a memento of the rich heritage and royal past of Indore. Being the ancestral palace of the Holkars, the edifice once hosted a number of royal receptions and other functions. A part of the main building now stands as a museum, which displays the rich collection of rare paintings, sculptors and other signature items.

Kanch Mandir

Kanch Mandir, built by Sir Hukamchand Seth, is a famous Digambar Jain temple, which captivates the attention of the vistors by its charming beauty and elegance. This exceptional temple, made of glass and mirrors, is a sheer pleasure to watch. The floors, walls, ceilings and pillars, ornamented with mirrors, serves as the major attraction of the temple.

Bijasen Tekri

Bijasen Tekri, the beautiful vantage point in Indore, offers a panoramic view of the entire city and attracts huge number of tourists by its breathtaking view of the setting sun and famous Bijasen Mata temple. This temple, established in the year 1920, draws the attention of huge crowd during Navratri. Apart from temple, the hillock houses a stunning museum of border security force.

Bada Ganapati

Bada Ganapati, built in the year 1875 during the reign of Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar, serves as an important religious attraction in Indore. As the name suggests, the temple is admired for housing a large idol of Ganapati, measuring about 8m from crown to foot. This stunning deity made with precious stones, gold, silver and other metals looks amazingly beautiful.

Central Museum

Central Museum, also known as Indore Museum, is one of the must-visit places in the city. With its fine collection of artifacts of the prehistoric times, the museum takes you across some of the finest paintings, sculptures and other architectural relics of the past. The museum remains open on all days of the week except on Mondays.