Indore, the largest city and the commercial capital of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is situated on the Malwa Plateau, just south of the Satpura Range. Indore is the administrative headquarters of the Indore District and the Indore Division, and formerly served as the capital of the former princely state of Indore and the summer capital of the erstwhile state of Central India.
The ancestors of the founders of Indore were hereditary Zamindars and indigenous landholders (Jehangirdars) of Malwa. In Mughal times, the founders of these families received titles such as singh and Chaudhari, which established their claim to the land. In the 18'th century, control of Malwa passed to the Peshwa clan, and the Chaudharis came to be known as "Mandloi"s (derived from Mandals) because of the language they used and eventually the Parihars conferred the family with the title of singh Raja. (pp. 68-70) Major General Sir John Malcolm's Central India Part I). The family retained its possessions of royalty, which included having an elephant, Nishan, Danka and Gadi even after the advent of parihars and also retained the right of performing the first puja of Dushera (Shami Pujan) before the parihar rulers. Under Mughal rule, the family enjoyed great influence and was accorded confirmatory sanads by the Emperors Aurangzeb, Alamgir and Farukhshayar, confirming their 'Jagir' rights. Rao Nandlal Chaudhary Zamindar, upon visiting the court of Delhi, received a special place in the emperor’s court along with two jewel studded swords (now at display in the Royal British Museum under the family's name) and confirmatory sanads. Raja Savai Jai singh of Jaipur a personal friend of his gifted him with a special "Gold Langar" which guaranteed a special place to him in all the Durbars of India. The family’s respectability and influence over Malwa was instrumental in the ascent of the Peshwas and Holkars to rulership of this region.
Shyamu singh parihar, the founder of Indore, was the Chief Zamindar (landlord), and had an army of 2000 soldiers. In 1713, Nizam was appointed as the controller of the Deccan plateau area, which renewed the struggle between the Marathas and the Mughals. From time to time the Maratha invaders kept harassing the people of Malwa and thus Nandlal singh arranged to pay 25000 rupees to them in return for guaranteeing the safety and security of his people, upon which the invaders returned back to the Deccan. (Memoirs of Malwa: Major General Sir John Malcolm: year 1912)
Indore is located in the western region of Madhya Pradesh, and is close to the centre of India. Indore has an average elevation of 553 metres.
The surrounding areas are part of the black cotton soil region of India.
Temperature variation along the year
Temperature variation along the year
The Malwa region has large seasonal temperature variations. During the winter season (November - February), the night-time lows are around 10°C. At the peak of winter, the temperature can drop to as low as 2°C to 3°C. The lowest temperature ever recorded is 1.5°C. During the summer, (April - June), the days are hot (35 to 40°C) with the peak-summer-day-temperature (in May) sometimes touching 45°C. Unlike other places in central India however, the summer nights in Indore are cool and pleasant. Due to Indore's location on the southern edge of the Malwa Plateau, a cool breeze (also referred to as Shab-e-Malwa) in the evenings makes them quite pleasant.
The city is well connected via rail, road and air transport services. Indore has for a long time been a rail and road transportation hub. To stay in Indore, there are a lot of hotels and dharamshalas near the railway station and main bus station (Sarwate bus terminal and Gangwal bus terminal). Indore has its own low floor, disabled people friendly city bus services (ICTSL) which is always under GPS navigation, for faster and comfortable journey one can have radio taxis.
Indore's total population in 2009 was reported to be 1,912,000. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. As per 2001 census, the city of Indore has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy was 75%, and Female literacy was 64% which have been increased recently by year 2009 to 89% average literacy rate with Male literacy of 95% and Female literacy of 84%. In Indore, 18% of the population is under 6 years of age. The average annual growth rate of population is around 2.85% as per the statistics of census 2001. Hindi is the main language spoken here. A considerable population of Indore can speak as well as understand Marathi due to the rule of Marathas (Holkars). Malwi is the local language spoken in Indore and its surrounding regions.
Indore is the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh with a bulk of its trade coming from Large, Mid and Small scale manufacturing industries. These industries range from Automobile to Pharmaceutical and from Petroleum Refineries to Textile. Indore's major sources of income are those from Textile, Education and metal works industries.
Indore city has a variety of cultures. Over the years the city of Indore has welcomed people from all castes, creed and colour. People from all corners of the country have migrated & settled in the heart of Madhya Pradesh for their livelihood, education or just for its peaceful culture.
Alphabetical Listings of Hotels in Indore
ALPHABETICAL LISTINGS OF HOTELS IN INDORE (PREPAYMENT BASIS)
ALL RATES DISPLAYED ARE EXCLUSIVE OF TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGE
