Indore Tourism and Travel Guide
History of Indore: Situated on one of India’s oldest pilgrimage routes from Mahakaal at Ujjain on river Kshipra, to Omkareshwar on the river Narmada andIndore onwards to Rameshwaram, Indore was a convinient resting place.
It was on the route of the Marathas of Deccan on their way to North India. These Maratha guerilla warriors were in constant battle with the Mughal empire. Their army transit camps here attracted the local Zamindars (landlords) who, drawn by the promise of lucrative trade, settled in the villages on the confluence of the Khan and Saraswati rivers, thereby laying the foundation of this commerce centre in 1715. In 1741, temple of Indreshwar was erected in the town, from which it derives the name Indore.
The trade centre grew rapidly under the holkar dynasty (1733-1818). The remains of their two century old palace still stand in the main square (called Rajwada). The city became the capital of the Indore princely state in 1818 after the British forces under Sir John Malcolm defeated the Holkars led by Rani Krishnabai Holkar at Mahidpur. She signed the treaty of Mandsaur by which the control of Indore went in the hand of the East India Company. Between 1948 and 1956, Indore served as the summer capital of the former Madhya Bharat state. Currently, it is the commercial capital of M.P.
Shopping In Indore
Indore is an interesting shopping destination in Madhya Pradesh. While shopping in Indore, be on the look out for the typical bangles and jewelry, wood-carved products and the beautiful Chanderi and Maheshwari silks.
IndoreIndore has a number of interesting markets where you can roam around and shop for things .The oldest market in Indore is the Maharaja Tukuganj Cloth Market, popularly known as MT market which can transform you into a princess with its dazzling array of of brocades and zari work in brilliant designs. The traditional Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees with their distinctive borders will make good gifts to take home from Indore.
For handicrafts, you should go to Jail Road and Top Khana where you can choose from items ranging from tribal mementos and paper mache articles to terracotta and woodcarved objects. Rajwara is the place to shop for traditional fabrics while in Bara Sarafa and Chotta Sarafa you will find an impressive collection of jewelery. For the different handcrafted curios and souvenirs of Madhya Pradesh, you can check out the Government State Emporium on M G Road.
Indore is one of the most prominent cities in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
How to reach Indore by Air: Indore has an airport, which links Indore with the major cities in India by direct flights.
How to reach Indore by Rail: Indore is connected to Delhi and Mumbai by rail. There are regular express trains, which connects Indore with major cities in India.
How to reach Indore by Road: Indore is well connected by bus with Ujjain (55 km, 1½ hours) and Bhopal (186 km, 5 hours).
