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Madhya PradeshThe majority of the inhabitants are Hindi-speaking Hindus, but Urdu and other languages are also spoken. A large aboriginal population (c.5 million), principally Gonds, inhabits the forested regions. There are four major universities and numerous colleges in the state. Madhya Pradesh is governed by a chief minister and cabinet responsible to a bicameral legislature with one elected house and by a governor appointed by the president of India.
Nominally within the Mughal empire, the area was ruled during the 16th and 17th cent. by the Gonds and in the 18th cent. by the Marathas. The British occupied it in 1820. Berar, originally belonging to the domain of the Nizam of Hyderabad, was incorporated in 1903; from then until 1950 the state was called Central Provinces and Berar. In 1956 it greatly increased its area with the addition of Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, and Bhopal. That area was decreased significantly in 2000 when Madhya Pradesh's southeastern portion, the subject of separatist movements since the 1920s, became the new state of Chhattisgarh.
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- Madhya Bharat
Madhya Bharat or Madhyabharat, former state, 46,400 sq mi (120,176 sq km), W central India. It comprised 25 former princely states. In 1956 it was incorporated into Madhya Pradesh state. Gwali...
- Gond
Gond, ethnic group in central India. The group is now divided among the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharshtra, and Madhya Pradesh; in Madhya Pradesh there was a small but powerful Gond kingdom ...
- Damoh
Damoh, town (1991 pop. 105,043), Madhya Pradesh state, central India. It is a district administrative center and a market for metal products, handwoven cloth, soap, cattle, and oilseed.
- Sagar
Sagar, city (1991 pop. 257,119), Madhya Pradesh state, central India. Sagar is a regional market for wheat, cotton, and oilseed. Such industries as sawmilling, oil, and flour milling are impor...
- Lashkar
Lashkar, city, Madhya Pradesh state, central India. Formerly the capital of Madhya Bharat state, it adjoins Gwalior town and is a modern commercial center and transportation hub. Victoria Coll...
- Jabalpur
Jabalpur, city (1991 pop. 888,916), Madhya Pradesh state, central India, on the Narmada River. It is a district administrative center and an important rail junction and military post. Manufact...
- Burhanpur
Burhanpur, city (1991 pop. 172,710), Madhya Pradesh state, W central India, on the Tapi River. The city is a rail junction with trade in textiles and oilseed. The manufacture of gold and silve...
- Datia
Datia, town (1991 pop. 64,477), Madhya Pradesh state, N central India. It is a district administrative center and a market for food grains and cotton products. Handloom weaving is an important...
- Dhar
Dhar, town (1991 pop. 59,246), Madhya Pradesh state, central India. It is a district administrative center and a market for cotton, grains, and oilseed. Dhar was the capital of the kingdom of ...
- Khandwa
Khandwa, city (1991 pop. 145,133), Madhya Pradesh state, central India. Khandwa is a district administrative center and a market for cotton, timber, and grain. There are cotton gins, sawmills,...
