A market stall at the Iqbal Maidan garden in Old Bhopal, with the Moti Masjid mosque in the background.

Bhopal Heritage Walk

Explore the streets of Old Bhopal and hear the incredible stories of history captured in the grand buildings and busy alleyways.

The exterior of the 18th century Moti Mahal palace, which is adjacent to a royal quadrant of eight palaces at the centre of Old Bhopal. – © Michael Turtle

The interior of the Gauhar Mahal palace from the early 19th century, built by the first female ruler of Bhopal, Qudsia Begum. – © Michael Turtle

Construction of the Taj-ul-Masajid mosque began in the middle of the 19th century but the building wasn’t completely finished until 1985. – © Michael Turtle

The exterior of the 18th century Moti Mahal palace, which is adjacent to a royal quadrant of eight palaces at the centre of Old Bhopal. – © Michael Turtle

The heart of the old city of Bhopal is the Chowk, where the city’s heritage comes together with grand palatial buildings and labyrinthine lanes lined with shops and cafes. Exploring this part of the city – either with a guide or independently – offers a fascinating insight into the history of Madhya Pradesh’s capital city.

In the centre of the old city is the Jama Masjid mosque, built between 1832 and 1857 by the first female ruler of Bhopal, Qudsia Begum. Although it was her granddaughter Shah Jahan Begum, the third female ruler of Bhopal, who created the magnificent Taj-ul-Masajid mosque that has become one of the city’s most impressive landmarks.

The main entrance to the Taj-ul-Masajid mosque, which is built with red sandstone and is one of the largest mosques in India. – © Michael Turtle

Close to another of OId Bhopal’s main mosques, Moti Masjid, is a fine collection of old palaces built during the period of the Begums, the Muslim female leaders. Some of the palaces have had restoration work, while others are in various levels of disrepair. Most are centred around the Iqbal Maidan garden, where you’ll find market stalls, people playing games, and views through the old city gates down to the lake.

The Sikandari Darwaza overlooking the Bara Talab at the western end of the Iqbal Maidan garden in Old Bhopal. – © Michael Turtle

The Islamic history in this part of Bhopal and the magnificent public buildings that are left from the time of the Begum leaders are well worth exploring to see a different side to the city.

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