Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, the "heart of India", is the country's second-largest state by area. It is home to some of India's finest tiger reserves – Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench and Panna – and to extraordinary heritage: the temples of Khajuraho, the stupas of Sanchi, the rock shelters of Bhimbetka, the fort of Gwalior and the medieval town of Orchha.

The region was part of ancient kingdoms such as Avanti, with its capital at Ujjain, and later the Mauryan, Gupta and Paramara empires. The Marathas – the Scindias, Holkars and others – ruled much of it in the 18th century. The present state was formed on 1 November 1956, and Chhattisgarh was separated from it in 2000.

Madhya Pradesh lies mostly on plateaus, crossed by the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. The Narmada flows west through a rift valley between them, and the Chambal, Betwa, Son and Tapti also drain the state. A large share of the state is forested.

Agriculture is central – the state is among India's top producers of soybean, wheat, pulses and garlic. Indore is a major commercial city, and tourism around wildlife and heritage is growing.

Hindi is the official language, and the Gond and Bhil communities have rich traditions of painting and music. Ujjain hosts the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, the Khajuraho Dance Festival celebrates classical dance, and Chanderi and Maheshwari saris are famous weaves.