A small durbar town in central India, Bhopal has evolved into the nerve center of Madhya Pradesh. Founded by Raja Bhoj, the city has picturesque lakes that are as old as the city itself. Even after industrialization, Bhopal retains its charm with alleyways and crowded markets in the old part of the city. There is a beautiful fusion of ancient and colonial times in this city, as well as its Mughal past. The places to visit in Bhopal have many heritage sites that still stand as a testament to its strong survival during the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984. Time unfolds the beautiful journey of architecture with all its ebbs and flows as one sees through the lens of time.
There are many masterpieces on the map of this city, and here are a few that should not be missed.
1. Bhopal Tribal Museum | Places to Visit in Bhopal
The city of lakes also has many museums. The Bhopal tribal museum, designed by Ar. Revathi Kamath stands out with its response to the culture, context, and community. It is an ode to the region’s art and artists. The museum takes you on an immersive journey with well-designed themed galleries. It showcases multidimensional aspects of art, architecture, lifestyle, and ritual of tribal communities. It narrates stories spanning seven acres in close response to the microclimate and local aesthetics.
2. Bharat Bhavan
Designed and built by master architect Charles Correa, Bharat Bhavan is a cultural centre built by the government of India. Located on a hillside, the structure slopes down towards the lake with a series of terraces and courtyards. The route of the museum through terraces embraces a natural gradient while housing art galleries, a library, an artist’s studio, and a tribal museum. At the edge of the site sits an amphitheatre with the framed backdrop of a scenic lake. With the perfect blend of tradition and contemporary, it is a prime example of Indian Modernism.
3. IIFM, Bhopal | Places to Visit in Bhopal
Designed by Ar. Anant Raje, an Indian institute of forest management, sits with the legacy of Kahn’s architecture. The campus of IIFM was designed with the thought of spaces perceived as one single entity. The plan of the building tries to create a sense of community while acknowledging the need for various activities to be independent. The central court acts as the heart of the design while being surrounded by a library, auditorium, and seminar hall. The building stands tall with its strong sense of symmetry and offers a platter of knowledge in terms of design, scale proportions, and materiality.
4. Bhopal Haat
Haat Bazar was designed and envisioned as a proper display and marketplace of handicrafts, handlooms, and utility items. The gist of the design was to create an informal, cosy and colourful ambience. The design respects the undulation on site with the plazas at various levels. It houses a total of 48 sales counters on one side and the food plaza on the other. Being the heart and soul of the trades, the Bhopal Haat stands out by being a site-sensitive and functionally appropriate design.
5. Vidhan Sabha of Bhopal | Places to Visit in Bhopal
Vidhan sabha of Bhopal is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture designed by none other than Charles Correa. The geometry consists of the structure divided into nine compartments that are developed around a central core. The site sits on the highest point of the capital complex of area hill, capturing and overlooking Bhopal. The structure is surrounded by a curve wall. The dome roof and walkways follow the same style contrasting the conventional architecture from the modernist style.
6. Shahjahanabad of Bhopal
Built by Sultan Shah Jahan Begum, Shahjahanabad is one of the first examples of Mughal architecture in Bhopal. The site is home to many conserved spaces and brilliant examples of adaptive reuse. The Gol Ghar is now used as a museum which is followed by the Taj–ul–Masjid, the largest Masjid in India. The mosque is made up of red sandstone, with white marble domes and minarets. With a mosque and Gol Ghar, the site also has the Indo-Saracenic style of the Bab-e-Ali cricket stadium.
7. Jama Masjid Bhopal
Pilasters, Charbagh style planning, and floating columns are the definition of the Islamic architecture of Bhopal. Jama Masjid is no exception. The Masjid is divided into two parts by a series of columns. The masjid’s symmetrical and beautiful elevation is formed by octagonal minarets on either side of the prayer hall. They are 5-storeyed high. Each story has 32 balconies with intricate support of brackets. The central dome with padmakosha and golden Kalash is what makes it even more iconic.
8. Taj Mahal Palace of Bhopal | Places to Visit in Bhopal
The Taj Mahal of Bhopal was built as a residence for Shah Jahan Begum. It reflects the grandeur of its counterpart in Delhi. It took 13 years to construct this palace followed by 3 years of celebration by the very happy begum. The palace welcomes one with the 50 by 50 feet gallery enclosed in the courtyard. The structure holds many stories of the past. With time, it has been in deteriorating condition. As of now, many proposals for adaptive reuse are being considered for the same.
9. Raisen fort of Bhopal
Raisen is an 800 -year-old fort that is home to a temple and a mosque. Made up of large local stones, the palace has nine entrance gateways. It is surrounded by four other palaces Badal Mahal, Rohini Mahal, Itradaan Mahal & Hawa Mahal. The highlighting factor of this fort complex is The Motiya Talab is a water conservation system with around 40 wells.
10. Gohar Mahal | Places to Visit in Bhopal
Gohar Mahal is the architect’s heaven to learn about Hindu and Islamic architecture. The elaborate archways, intricate designs, patterns, decorations, and religious motifs mark the elevation and interior of the mahal. Wooden truss with slate roofs complements the load-bearing structure of the palace.
11. Moti Masjid
This mosque symbolizes and represents the Jama Masjid of Delhi. It was constructed when Sikander Begum ruled Bhopal and built roads, bridges, and palaces. Symbolizing the city’s development, this was a major structure during that time.
12. Sardar Manzil
Sardar Manzil is a palace converted into a municipal corporation. Located at the entrance to the Chowk, the city’s heart, it stands adjacent to the Shaukat Mahal. Besides being a place for a public audience, Sardar Manzil also served as a place for public meetings. It is one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in Bhopal.
13. Shaukat Mahal | Places to Visit in Bhopal
In comparison to other structures in Bhopal, this building is unique. There is an air of royalty and French influence in the palace, denoting the time of Bourbon Kings. Currently, under renovation, this 180-year-old Mahal houses 21 families. Bhopal’s famous Royal Quadrangle includes this palace, which was gifted to the First Woman Ruler.
14. Bhimbetka Caves
Bhimbetka caves are discovered by V.S Wakankar in 1957 and have been the site of hundreds of cave shelters, 500 of which are etched with graphics. According to mythology, the name “Bhimbhetka” comes from “Bhimbaithka”, the place where Bhima from the Mahabharata sat. There are striking similarities between the carvings and those from Australian and French caves.
15. Sanchi Stupa | Places to Visit in Bhopal
As one of the first Indian prototypes of Buddhist architecture, the Sanchi Stupa inspired other pagodas and stupas. The Stupa represents Buddha’s remains and serves as a sacred burial mound. As a whole, it consists of three main components. The anda (hemispherical mound), the harmika (square railing), and the chattra (A pillar supporting three umbrella disks). It consists of burnt bricks and plaster on the exterior, with a layer of burnt bricks in the core.
Reference List
- Bhopal.net. 2022. A Short History of the City of Bhopal | International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal. [online] Available at: <https://www.bhopal.net/what-happened/setting-the-stage-for-tragedy-1969-1984/a-short-history-of-the-city-of-bhopal/>
- Sen, S., 2022. 25 Captivating Places To Visit In Bhopal – The City Of Lakes In 2022. [online] Traveltriangle.com. Available at:
- Deshpande, R., 2022. The architectural heritage of Bhopal – Top 10 places for architects. – archEstudy. [online] archEstudy. Available at: <https://archestudy.com/architectural-heritage-of-bhopal-top-10-places-for-the-exploring-architect/>
