Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh combines scenic beauty, historicity and modern urban planning. It is situated on the site of an 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja.

Bhopal today presents a multi-faceted profile; the old city with its teeming market places and fine old mosques and palaces still bear the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers; among them the succession of powerful Begums who ruled Bhopal from 1819 to 1926. Equally impressive is the new city with its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern edifices.

The capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal was built in the 11th century by Raja Bhoja of the Parmara Dynasty. Originally known as Bhojapal, the new city of Bhopal has came a long way in time to become one of the most historically rich and cultural treasure cove of India. This city is renowned for its mosques and due to the presence of two beautiful lakes it is also known as the City of Lakes.

Bhopal is situated on the north western part of Madhya Pradesh and lies along the sandstone ridge of the Malwa Plateau. Sharing a rich historical past in its foundation, the Bhopal city is demarcated in two halves by the Upper Lake and Lower Lake. The city can be visited throughout the year but it is advisable to avoid the scorching summer.

A city of the nawabs and the begums, so ethnic and magical has turned into a popular tourist destination in recent years. Apart from its scenic beauty Bhopal boasts  a large number of   tourists spots steeped in history and legends which are of great national heritage. Some are real masterpieces of architectural excellence.

Among the mosques the notable ones are Jama Masjid, Taj-ul-masjid and Moti Masjid. Moti Masjid was built by Sikander Jahan Begum and the Taj-ul-masjid which is the largest mosque in India was started by Shah Jahan Begum. It remained incomplete during her reign and was finished by the Government in 1971. The capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal presents a versatile profile, combining a picturesque silhouette of the city, with its historical monuments, mosques and temples and palaces along with the historicity, scenic grandeur and modern planning. There are a number of tourist attractions in Bhopal that fails to tire the enthusiastic traveler, visiting this old extraordinary city. Bhopal is divided significantly into the old city and the new city. While the old city still bears the aristocratic impression from the ancient times, the new city too do not fail to impress the visitors with its tourist places such as beautiful luxuriant parks, broad roads and avenues and modern buildings.

The city of Bhopal is often called the city of mosques due to the presence of a number of historical mosques and monuments within its walls. One such mosque, relatively smaller in size but not less important is the Moti Masjid. It was built by Sikander Begum in the year 1860; the beautiful Moti Masjid is an important historical landmark of the Muslims in Bhopal. The architectural design of the Moti Masjid has a striking resemblance to the famous Jama Masjid in Delhi.

Behind the history of Moti Masjid lies the history of one of the most significant characters in the history of Muslim women in India, Sikander Begum. Being a relatively liberated and progressive woman compared to the time in which she lived, Sikander Begum had built roads, bridges and a number of graceful and elegant monuments such as the Moti Masjid in Bhopal .The Moti Masjid was built in 1860 and since then it is one of the most significant landmarks in Madhya Pradesh.

The Moti Masjid, Bhopal is a relatively smaller sized monument that was built in the year 1860 by Sikander Jahan. The mosque has two dark red towers with golden spikes. The architecture of the Moti masjid resembles the Jama Masjid in Delhi. Because of the sparkling white façade, the Moti masjid is also called the Pearl Mosque.

Bhopal can be easily reached by regular flights and trains from different important cities such as Delhi, Gwalior, Mumbai and Indore. There are also daily buses to Bhopal that take the tourists to this walled city. Moti Masjid inside the city premises of Bhopal can be easily reached by any transport, local or private.

One of the biggest and most graceful of all the mosques in India is the Taj-ul-masjid which means ' The Crown of mosques’. Against the backdrop of the historical city of Bhopal, the Taj-ul-masjid displays a spectacular sight.

The construction of the Taj-ul-masjid, Bhopal witnessed alternative spans of active and inactive time periods, during the rule of the succeeding Begums. However the construction of the mosque could never be completed due to the shortage of funds. It was as late as 1971 that work was resumed and the Taj-ul-masjid finally stood in all its grandeur.

Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a mesmerizing fusion of picturesque beauty, old historic charm and contemporary urban planning. The earlier city Bhojapal was founded by Raja Bhoja in the 11th century, but the modern city was established by an Afghan warrior, Dost Mohammed. His descendants further built Bhopal into the gorgeous city as we can see it today. Bhopal is rightly famous for its lakes as it has two most stunning lakes – Upper Lake and Lower Lake.

Raja Bhoja created the Upper Lake in Bhopal in the 11th century while the construction of an earthen dam across the Kolans River. One can clearly get the picture of the immaculate planning strategy of the erstwhile rulers that gets manifested through this man –made lake. It is the nucleus of the city and is prominent for its unsurpassed charm and grandeur that still beguiles its visitors. The lake has crystal clear waters and boasts of a tranquil ambience.

The lake is an ideal resort for the various thrilling trips by sail, paddle and motorboats. The cool breeze keeps blowing all day long and soothes the fatigued senses of the tourists who come to relax here after a frenzied day of sightseeing. It is also a favored spot for picnics as the tourists and locals enjoy the panoramic views while sipping coffee and munching snacks.

The Lower Lake on the other hand is positioned in the heart of the city so you can take a close look at the city. It is great fun to bask in the beauty of the pristine lake and the panoramic vistas of the city simultaneously. Along with enjoying a languorous stroll around this lake, you can make good use of the boating and sailing facilities that are provided here.

Significant tourist spots like Government Archeological Museum are also located close to the Lower Lake in Bhopal. Besides, a host of other tourist attractions also lie in close proximity to this stunning lake. These are the Chowk, Van Vihar Safari Park, the Aquarium and the Lakshmi Narayan Temple.