Know Your state Madhya Pradesh – Madhya Pradesh General Knowledge Notes (Part 2)

We explored some of the aspects of Madhya Pradesh in the previous blog, which makes it incredible. If you haven’t read that already, click here – Know your State ‘Madhya Pradesh’ – Part 1. In continuation with the preceding blog, here we are going to study other important aspects of the state.

Which empire formed the major portions of Central India? Where was Kailash Satyarthi, the famous children’s rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner born? Do you guys know where Madhya Pradesh stands in terms of economy?

Madhya Pradesh is a wonderful tiny world full of beauty, charm, and adventure. This state is a plateau as it is home to the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. Madhya Pradesh is perhaps the most Hindu of all Indian provinces.

Let’s study about historical aspects of Madhya Pradesh.

HISTORY Pradesh Madhya Pradesh GK Notes :

Paleo-historical investigations & exhumations dispense a glance of the bygone days from the earliest times to about the 13th century AD. The state had some developed ancient civilization which reflected the glorious & harlequin history of its rulers, warriors & a rich cultural past.

• Historically known as Malwa, Madhya Pradesh was the second-largest centrally located state in India.
• The history of Madhya Pradesh repudiated to the heyday of Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler.
• Major portion of Central India formed part of the Gupta Empire (300-550 AD).
• In the first half of 7^th century, the state was ruled by famous emperor Harsha. The end of 10^th century was a period of confusion.
• In the early 11^th century the Muslims entered central India. Firstly Ghazni and then Mohammad Gori invaded certain parts along with the Sultans of Delhi.
• The breaking up into smaller states unclogged for the British crown. Some great women rulers like Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, Gond queen Rani Kamla Devi & Rani Durgawati have carved a niche in history.
• After Independence, all the states signed into the Indian Unions & a new state named Madhya Bharat came into existence with Indore & Gwalior as its capital on 28th May, 1948.
• Vindhya Pradesh formed in April 1948 in the north, was the result of the merging of 35 princely states of Bundelkhand & Baghelkhand, & in 1952 a popular ministry was formed as its capital Rewa.
• The state of Bhopal was formed in June, 1949.
• The state of Madhya Pradesh was formed on 1st November 1956 by the amalgamation of Mahakosal, Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, Bhopal state & Seronj sub division of the Kota District of Rajasthan.
• Chhatisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1st November 2001.
• At present Madhya Pradesh comprises 52 districts which are further subdivided into 412 tehsils & became the second largest state in India.

ENVIRONMENT Madhya Pradesh GK Notes:

With its largest forest cover and abundant natural resources, Madhya Pradesh has always been a rich state. Most of the population of the state depends on natural resources for their livelihoods.

• Madhya Pradesh has a distinct and diverse topography and hence a wide range of variations in the soil and vegetation.
• The forest forms in the state include:
  1. Dry thorn forests
  2. Tropical moist deciduous forests
  3. Tropical evergreen forests
• Highest peak of Madhya Pradesh is Dhupgarh (Satpura range) with an altitude of 1,350 m.
• The major rivers of Madhya Pradesh are Chambal, Betwa, Sindh, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi and Indravati.
• Bhedaghat which is famous for Dhuandhar falls has the world-famous marble rock mountains situated on the banks of river Narmada.
  • Major Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Madhya Pradesh namely: Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Karera, Madhav, Indravati, Bandhavgarh, Bori, Gangau, Noradehi, Barnawapara, Sitanadi, Achanakmar.
• Kanha National park which is also a tiger reserve is the largest National Park of MP. The famous novel Jungle book by “Rudyard Kipling” draws its inspiration from the forests of Kanha National Park.
• The state is divided into agro-climatic zones including:
  1. Kaimur Plateau and Satpura Hill
  2. Satpura Plateau
  3. Vindhyan Plateau
  4. Narmada valley
  5. Wainganga valley
  6. Bundelkhand Region
  7. Gwalior Region
  8. Malwa Plateau
  9. Nimar Plateau
  10. Jhabua Hills
  11. Leeshiv

ECONOMY Madhya Pradesh GK Notes:

The economy of Madhya Pradesh is the tenth-largest state economy in India. The economy of this state depends on agricultural activities. Wheat, Jowar, Rice, Pulses, Groundnuts and Millets are the main food crops. They are grown in the main agricultural regions of the state namely Chambal Valley, Narmada Valley, Malwa and Rewa plateau.

• Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of soya beans in the nation.
• The major industries of Madhya Pradesh are BHEL at Bhopal, Security paper mills at Hoshangabad, Bank Note Press at Dewas, Newsprint mill at Nepanagar and Alkaloid factory at Neemuch. Panna is the most famous diamond mine of Madhya Pradesh and India.
•  Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh is famous for Bauxite, Copper and Dolomite.
• Betul and Chhatarpur in the state are famous for fire clay, China clay and Coal reserves.
• The Morena district is famous for honey production.
• The state has the largest reserves of diamond and copper in India.

GDP: ₹9.62 lakh crore

Rank (as per GDP): 10^th

Per capita GDP: ₹59,052

Sector-wise GDP: Agriculture: 45 %, Industry: 20%, Services: 35% (2017-18)

Revenues: ₹ 54,655 crore

EDUCATION Madhya Pradesh GK Notes:

Madhya Pradesh had a literacy rate of 70.60% according to the 2011 census. According to 2009–10, the state had developed 105,592 primary schools, 6,352 high schools, and 5,161 higher secondary schools. The state has 208 engineering & architecture colleges, 208 management institutes, and 12 medical colleges.

SPORTS Madhya Pradesh GK Notes:

State government of Madhya Pradesh had declared Mallakhamba as the State Sport in 2013. Some popular sports in the state are Kabaddi, hockey, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, cricket, volleyball, cycling and swimming etc. Furthermore, traditional games like kho-kho, gilli danda, sitoliya, kanche and langdi are also popular in the rural areas.

Here are some more interesting facts about MADHYA PRADESH:

• Kailash Satyarthi, the famous child rights activist who won the Noble Peace Prize in sharing with Malala Yousufzai of Pakistan was born in Vidisha of MP.
• Gwalior has been computed as one of the important cities that contributed towards the historic richness of India. This city of Madhya Pradesh is rich in art and architecture, which suggests that it makes a great destination for sightseeing tour in MP.
• Maheshwar is a small town dedicated to Lord Shiva situated on the bank of Narmada River often referred to as the ‘Varanasi of Central India’. 
• Chitrakoot is the Hill of Many Wonders that stretches in both Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Chitrakoot is believed to be a sacred town that bears historic and spiritual significance as it was said that in the forest of Chitrakoot, Lord Rama stayed for 11 long years of their exile.
• Bandhavgarh is famous for the home of White Tigers. The national park at Bandhavgarh was once the hunting ground of the King of Rewa.

Therefore, this was the detailed study about the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh that will help in your preparation for competitive exams like SSC CGL, CDS, Civil Services and NDA etc.

In the next blog, we would be discussing some interesting facts and trivia about the state of Maharashtra. Click here for Know your State – ‘Maharashtra’.

 THANK YOU