About Indore

Indore, the center of Indian Territory, is the heart of India, which gleams with grandeur, history, growth, and modernity. This largest city of Madhya Pradesh has a unique confluence of natural abundance, historical edifices, and contemporary structures, all mixed into one. Situated at an altitude soaring 553 m above the sea level, Indore is full of architectural elegance and industrial progress.


This diversity also spans to the culture of this city where history beautifully co-exists with the contemporary. Indore is the nucleus of education and health care sector in India with numerous educational institutes dotting the whole city.

History of Indore:

History of this city is inter-weaved with the battles between Marathas, Mughals, and British while its erstwhile reigns rested with the Zamindars of Malwa plateau on which the city is located. These zamindars or landlords were affluent and quite dominant in this region.

The families of these zamindars enjoyed the status of being confirmatory Sanads conferred on them by Mughal emperors. Rao Nandlal Chaudhary was the most influential zamindar of Malwa having an army of 2000 warriors behind him. He also held a distinctive position in the court of Mughal emperors who presented him two jewel studded swords as a mark of recognition.

Around 1713, the entire region of Deccan Plateau went into the reigns of Nizam of Hyderabad. While the conflicts were constantly going on between Marathas and Mughals, Rao Nandlal one visited Indreshwar Temple on the banks of Saraswati river.

Finding it to be a safe and nature protected place, he built a citadel here and named it Indrapur which later changed over to Indore under British raj.

Later this area was handed over to Maratha rulers, Holkars under the control of Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of this dynasty. Indore was a princely state and an integral part of Holkar Empire until the rise of British in this region. Till acceding to Indian Union on independence in 1947, it was ruled by them. Later on, it became the summer capital of Madhya Bharat before its merger into Madhya Pradesh in 1956.

Climate and Geography of Indore:

As the city is located in the Central parts of India, it has a mix of humid subtropical and savanna tropical climate. While winters and monsoons are soothing, summers are awash with blistering heat.

The summer season ranging between April and June is laden with high temperatures soaring above 42° C. Though despite such intense days, the evenings are rather cool and breezy here due to its apt location on Malwa Plateau.

Winters in Indore are usually dry with average climate ranging between 26°- 30° C. But some nights can be really chilly with temperature falling below 4° C. The southwest monsoons bring cool showers of rain in Indore during the months of Mid June to Mid September.

At an average elevation of 553 m above the sea level, this city has an intersection of two vast rivers namely Saraswati and Khan. It is perched on the southern tip of Malwa Plateau with Vindhyachal range standing towards its south. 

Architecture in Indore:

Its architecture is inspired by several dynasties that ruled this place over the centuries. Fascinating edifices ranging from typical Maratha architecture propounded by Holkars to Mughal and British styles are certain to allure every visitor with their historical relevance.

Though, the major impact has been laid by the Holkar dynasty which amalgamated grandeur and elegance in every structure erected during their regime. The palaces and chhatris built in that era perfectly depict their love for the art and architecture.

Economy and Industry in Indore: 

As an industrial center, Indore is major contributor to the economy of entire central region. It has industries varying in scale and form including the agriculture, IT, and automobile industries.

Along with Pithampur, it is truly the business capital of Madhya Pradesh. The Global investor’s summit organized in the city is attended by 21 nations and is a landmark of industrial development in this city.

Textile industry is the soul of its economy and traditional business of Indore. Today, it has large number of textile manufacturers and exporters working across the city. Also it is a preferred destination for IT giants like Infosys and TCS who have already planned their new corporate addresses in Indore.

Pithampur SEZ and Sanwer Industrial area have major industries located along with many leading factories operating in the city itself.

With sectors like pharmaceuticals, automobile and consumer durables, real estate sector is also booming in this progressive city.

Art and Entertainment in Indore:

The diverse ethnicity of Indore city reflects in its art and crafts as well. Notable art centers and theaters of performing arts are located within the city.

Handicrafts including Tie and Dye, Hand Block Painting, Batik, Jute work, Zari, and leather toys are the highlights of its art while it also boasts of renowned cultural theaters and performing arts studios to encourage the budding artists of the city.

For entertainment, the city has many sources like cinema, print media, radio, as well as electronic media. Major Hindi dailies are published in the city along with numerous Television channels churning out entertainment for people of Indore.

People and Culture of Indore:

The dense population of Indore city comprises of denizens hailing from different cultural backgrounds. Though Marathi is the common language for majority of population, Hindi, English, and Gujarati are the most commonly spoken languages here.


The people of Indore are hospitable and vibrant to enjoy their life to fullest. Due to its industrial development and education centers, it also has large migrated population that adds to the multiplicity in ethnic culture of this city. True to its cosmopolitan fervor, these communities live in perfect harmony in Indore.

This diversity has spanned the scope of festivities in this city which celebrates each festival with great élan. Holi, Diwali, Rakhi, Anant Chaudas, Eid, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, and Ahilya Utsav are the common festivals celebrated by people of Indore.

Even the food culture of Indore is as varied as its people are. North Indian, Marathi, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Malwa to South Indian, every corner of India can be tasted in this city at its exclusive eateries.

Indore is particularly famous for its delectable sweets and namkeens like Poha, Jalebi, Mawa Bati, Khopra Pak, Malpua, Kebab, and Kachoris. Keeping up with the pace of its progression, city has many Intercontinental, Chinese, and Western fast food restaurants as well.

Tourism in Indore:

Tourism is also a major source of revenue in this city which is laden with historical heritage to the core. Its erstwhile rulers were great patrons of art and architecture. They have endowed the city with magnificent temples and palaces along with other monuments reminding of that glorious era.

Main attractions in Indore are:

• Central Museum
• Lal Baug Palace
• Rajwada
• Chokhi Dhani
• Town Hall
• Chhatris
• Kasturbagram
• Bija Sen Tekri
  
  

Religious places in Indore:

• Gomatgiri
• Kanch mandir
• Khajrana Ganesh Mandir
• Bada Ganpati
• Gita Bhawan
• Annapurna
• Gurudwara Imli Sahib

Parks in Indore:

• Regional Park
• Kamla Nehru Park
• Adventure and Water parks

Excursions from Indore:

The city has many nearby attractions for the travelers to be explored on their trip to Indore. These include places like:

• Maheshwar
• Mhow
• Patal Pani
• Dhar
• Mandu
• Omkareshwar
• Ujjain
• Jhabua
• Wanchoo Point
  
  

Shopping in Indore:

Indore is the ideal destination for shopaholics with numerous markets and shopping malls present aplenty in the city. The markets are full of buzzing activities and beautiful merchandise offered by its local shopkeepers. Textile being the famous industry here, it showcase splendid varieties of Chanderi and Maheshwari along with intricate Zari work on fabrics.

Madhya Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation promote these handlooms of Madhya Pradesh in Indore. Markets like MT cloth Market; Topkhana; Heritage market; Sitlamata Bazar; Bada and Chota Sarafa Market are the main shopping places of this city.

Connectivity of Indore:

Indore is aptly connected with the whole country through its excellent rail, road, and air transport. These means are frequently available for the convenience of its residents as well as tourists.
Indore has its own Airport called Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport which is also the busiest airport of this entire region. It connects the city with all prominent cities of the country and has numerous flights boarding from here daily.

Indore is an integral part of Ratlam Division under Western Railways. It has both meter gauge as well as broad gauge railway lines running from it.

The main station of city is Indore junction while there are 4 other stations in Lokmanya Nagar, Saifee Nagar, Lakshmi Bai Nagar, and Rajendra Nagar. Regular trains join the city with the rest of India.

Through 3 main national Highways and 2 state highways, Indore is connected to nearby cities and the whole of country through its road transportation. NH 2, NH 59, and NH 59A along with State Highway 31 and 27 are the lifelines of its road network. 
Even within the city, Indore possesses brilliant road transport including metro taxi, proposed metro rail, Indore city Bus, and Auto rickshaws. Indore local bus transport is an exemplification of well managed transportation operating on 36 routes within city limits.

The radio taxis or metro taxis are also a preferred mode of transport for people in Indore. On every prominent location, these means are available for convenience of daily commuters.

Demographics and Facts about Indore:

Indore has some of the first in India or only of its kind structures that include 40 feet highest idol in world of Lord Ganesha, Privilege of having IIM and IIT, India’s first Bowling alley, and Rajwada, the only palace with 7 storey entrance in world.

Area: 530 sq km
Population: 3,272,335
Sex Ratio: 924
Literacy Rate: 82.32%
STD Code: 0731