{{About|the district|its eponymous headquarters|Bhopal}} {{redirect|Huzur|the underground station|Huzur (Istanbul Metro)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Bhopal district | settlement_type = [[Districts of Madhya Pradesh|District]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] | total_type = Total | native_name = | image_skyline = {{Photomontage |size = 300 |photo1a = Deewali New market.jpg |photo1b = Gond Mahal S-MP-31 (14).jpg |photo2a = Van Vihar National Park pic5.jpg |photo2b = Shaurya Smarak Garden 2.jpg |photo3a = Tajul Masajid, Bhopal 4.jpg |photo3b = AIIMS Bhopal Front.jpg | spacing = 4 | position = | color_border = white | color = white | foot_montage =}} | image_caption = Clockwise from top-left: [[New Market, Bhopal|New Market]] on the eve of [[Diwali]], Gond Mahal in [[Islamnagar, Bhopal|Islamnagar]], [[Shaurya Smarak]], Tajul Masajid, Bhopal, [[Van Vihar National Park]], AIIMS Bhopal | image_map = MP Bhopal district map.svg | map_caption = Location of Bhopal district in Madhya Pradesh | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = Bhopal | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Madhya Pradesh]] | subdivision_type2 = Division | subdivision_name2 = [[Bhopal division|Bhopal]] | established_title = Established | established_date = | seat_type = Headquarters | seat = [[Bhopal]] | parts_type = [[Tehsils of India|Tehsils]] | parts_style = para | p1 = | area_total_km2 = 2772 | area_footnotes = | population_as_of = 2011 | population_total = 2,371,061 | population_footnotes = <ref name="censusindia.gov.in"/> | population_urban = 1917051 | population_density_km2 = auto | demographics_type1 = Demographics | demographics1_title1 = [[Literacy in India|Literacy]] | demographics1_info1 = 82.3%<ref name="http">{{cite web|title=Total Population, child population in the age group 0-6, literates and literacy rates by sex: 2011|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/mp/table-2.xls|publisher=Office of The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Government of India|access-date=18 July 2011}}</ref> | demographics1_title2 = Sex ratio | demographics1_info2 = 911/1000<ref name="censusindia.gov.in"/> | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = [[Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha constituencies]] | leader_name1 = [[Bhopal (Lok Sabha constituency)|Bhopal]] | leader_title2 = Collector & District Magistrate | leader_name2 = Avinash Lavania IAS | timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] | utc_offset1 = +05:30 | registration_plate = MP 04 | blank_name_sec1 = | blank_info_sec1 = | blank_name_sec2 = | blank_info_sec2 = | website = {{URL|https://bhopal.nic.in}}, {{URL|https://smartbhopal.city}} | official_name = }}
'''Bhopal district''' (Hindi: भोपाल ज़िला, {{IPA|hi|bʱoːpaːl zɪlaː}}) is a [[List of districts of Madhya Pradesh|district]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] state in central [[India]]. The city of [[Bhopal]] serves as its administrative headquarters. The district is part of [[Bhopal Division]].
== History ==
Bhopal district was carved out of the erstwhile [[Sehore district|Sehore District]] of Bhopal division vide M.P.Govt. Notification No.2477/1977/Sa/One/ dated 13 September 1972.The district derives its name from the district head-quarters town Bhopal which is also the capital of Madhya Pradesh. According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India, Bhopal derives from "Bhoj Pal" named after the legendary founder of the city.<ref name="History of Bhopal">{{cite web |last1=Khanal |first1=Bhavesh |title=History of Bhopal |url=https://bhopal.nic.in/en/history/ |website=bhopal.nic.in |publisher=District Administration |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>
The early history of the present-day district area is obscure. According to a legend, the area was part of ''Mahakautar'', a barrier of dense forests and hills separating North India from South India. 10th century CE onwards, names of [[Rajput]] rulers (including [[Bhoja]]) [[Malwa]] appear in the historical records. The number of Muslims rose after invasions by the [[Delhi Sultanate]] under [[Iltutmish]]. In 1401, [[Dilawar Khan Ghori]] (father of [[Hoshang Shah]]) took control of the territory, ruling from [[Dhar]].<ref name="Census_2011_Handbook"/>
In the 14th century, a [[Gondi people|Gond]] warrior Yadoram established a kingdom headquartered at [[Mandla|Garh-Mandla]]. At the time of [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] invasion of [[Malwa Subah|Malwa]] in 1561, the area was subdivided into territories known as ''chakla''s. The present-day Bhopal district was part of the Ginnor chakla, which comprised 750 villages. The Gond warlord Nizam Shah controlled these villages from his fort of Ginnorgarh. After his death, the Afghan mercenary [[Dost Mohammad of Bhopal|Dost Mohammad Khan]] managed the state's affairs on behalf of his widow Kamlapati. After her death, Khan usurped the territory, and acquired neighbouring territories to establish the [[Bhopal State|Bhopal princely state]]. He founded the town of [[Islamnagar, Bhopal|Islamnagar]], and also established the modern city of [[Bhopal]].<ref name="Census_2011_Handbook"/> His son Yar Mohammad Khan paid tribute to the [[Maratha confederacy|Marathas]]. After his death, there was a war of secession between Sultan Mohammad Khan and [[Faiz Mohammad Khan]], during which the [[Nawab of Bhopal|Nawabs of Bhopal]] had to cede some territories to the Marathas. Faiz was a religious recluse, and his step-mother [[Mamola Bai]] effectively ruled the state on his behalf. His successors maintained good relations with the [[East India Company]], which eventually came to rule India.<ref name="Census_2011_Handbook"/>
Between 1819 and 1926, Bhopal was ruled by four female rulers, including [[Shah Jahan Begum of Bhopal|Shah Jahan Begum]] and [[Sultan Jahan, Begum of Bhopal]]. After independence of India, her son [[Hamidullah Khan]] expressed his wish to retain Bhopal as an independent unit, leading to public protests. On 30 April 1949, the Nawab relented and signed an [[Instrument of Accession]] to the [[Dominion of India]].<ref name="SRBakshi_OPRalhan_2007">{{cite book | title = Madhya Pradesh Through the Ages | author = S.R. Bakshi and O.P. Ralhan | publisher = Sarup & Sons | year = 2007 | isbn = 978-81-7625-806-7 | pages = 360 }}</ref> The state was taken over by Government of India on 1 June 1949, resulting in the formation of [[Bhopal State (1949–56)]].
After the [[States Reorganisation Act]] of 1956, Bhopal state was integrated into the [[Sehore district]] of the newly formed state of [[Madhya Pradesh]]. The Bhopal city was declared as the capital of Madhya Pradesh. On 26 January 1972, the Government of Madhya Pradesh announced that Bhopal would be made a separate district. The Bhopal district was officially carved out of the [[Sehore district]] on 26 November 1972.<ref name="Census_2011_Handbook">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=District Census Handbook 2011: Bhopal|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2327_PART_B_DCHB_BHOPAL.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807042945/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2327_PART_B_DCHB_BHOPAL.pdf|archive-date=7 August 2015|access-date=|website=|publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India}}</ref>
==Geography== {{climate chart | Bhopal | 10.2|25.3|12.9 | 12.4|28.6|7.8 | 17.1|33.6|7.2 | 21.8|38.3|4.5 | 25.5|40.7|8.0 | 25.3|37.0|114.0 | 23.1|30.6|355.8 | 22.4|28.8|388.4 | 21.4|30.5|195.8 | 18.4|32.0|26.2 | 14.1|29.0|13.7 | 10.9|25.9|12.4 | source=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090404045153/http://www.imd.gov.in:80/section/climate/bhopal1.htm IMD] | float=left | clear=left }} The district has an area of 2,772 km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="censusindia.gov.in" />
Bhopal District is bounded by the districts of [[Guna District|Guna]] to the north, [[Vidisha District|Vidisha]] to the northeast, [[Raisen District|Raisen]] to the east and southeast, [[Sehore District|Sehore]] to the southwest and west, and [[Rajgarh District|Rajgarh]] to the northwest.
The city of Bhopal lies in the southern part of the district, and the majority of the population resides within Bhopal municipality. The town of [[Berasia]] lies in the northern part of the district.
==Demographics==
{{historical populations|11=1901|12=1,43,958|13=1911|14=1,56,354|15=1921|16=1,40,300|17=1931|18=1,63,747|19=1941|20=1,88,608|21=1951|22=2,35,665|23=1961|24=3,71,715|25=1971|26=5,72,169|27=1981|28=8,94,739|29=1991|30=13,51,479|31=2001|32=18,43,510|33=2011|34=23,71,061|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Table A-02 Decadal Variation in Population Since 1901: Madhya Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/43356/download/47048/23%20A-2%20Madhya%20Pradesh.pdf |website=census.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>|align=center}}
{{bar box |title=Religions in Bhopal district (2011)<ref name="religion">{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: Madhya Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11381/download/14494/DDW23C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=[[Census of India]] |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> |titlebar=#FCD116 |left1=Religion |right1=Percent |float=right |bars= {{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|74.05}} {{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|22.16}} {{bar percent|[[Jainism]]|brown|1.09}} {{bar percent|[[Christianity in Madhya Pradesh|Christianity]]|dodgerblue|0.99}} {{bar percent|[[Buddhism]]|mediumblue|0.91}} {{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.80}} }}
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Bhopal District has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 2,371,061,<ref name="censusindia.gov.in">{{cite web |title=District Census Hand Book – Bhopal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/686/download/2392/DH_2011_2327_PART_A_DCHB_BHOPAL.pdf |website=[[Census of India]] |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> roughly equal to the nation of [[Latvia]]<ref name="cia">{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison:Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004507/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 June 2007 | access-date = 2011-10-01 | quote = Latvia 22,04,708 July 2011 est.}}</ref> or the US state of [[New Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php |title=2010 Resident Population Data |publisher=U. S. Census Bureau |access-date=2011-09-30 |quote=New Mexico - 2,059,179 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019160532/http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php |archive-date=19 October 2013}}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 189th in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).
The district has a population density of {{convert|855|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}. Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001-2011 was 28.46%. Bhopal has a [[sex ratio]] of 918 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males, and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 80.37%. 80.85% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 15.08% and 2.93% of the population respectively.<ref name="censusindia.gov.in"/>
{{Pie chart |caption = Languages of Bhopal district (2011) |label1 = [[Hindi]] |value1 = 84.67 |color1 = orange |label2 = [[Urdu]] |value2 = 6.76 |color2 = green |label3 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]] |value3 = 2.61 |color3 = red |label4 = [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] |value4 = 2.23 |color4 = limegreen |label5 = Others |value5 = 3.73 |color5 = grey }} At the time of the [[2011 Census of India]], 84.67% of the population in the district spoke [[Hindi]], 6.76% [[Urdu]], 2.61% [[Marathi language|Marathi]] and 2.23% [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] as their first language.<ref name="language">{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Madhya Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10211/download/13323/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2300.XLSX |website=[[Census of India]] |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>
==Places of interest== *[[Van Vihar National Park]] *Upper Lake ([[Bhojtal]]) *[[Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya]] *Gohar Mahal *[[Birla Mandir]] *[[Tribal Museum Bhopal | Tribal Museum]] *[[Regional Science Centre, Bhopal | Regional Science Center]] *[[Taj-ul-Masajid]] *[[Kerwa Dam]] *[[Bhadbhada Dam]]
== Subdivisions == The Bhopal district has three tehsils: [[Berasia]] Kolar and Huzur. There are two [[Community development block in India|community development blocks]]: Berasia and Phanda. The two tehsils are further sub-divided into units known as ''Patwari Halka''s.<ref name="Census_2011_Handbook"/>
=== Cities and towns ===
Berasia tehsil:
# [[Berasia]] (municipality)
Huzur tehsil
# Bhopal (municipal corporation) # [[Kolar, Madhya Pradesh|Kolar]] (municipality)
In 2019, Kolar was declared a separate tehsil.<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/kolar-becomes-third-tehsil-of-state-capital-from-tuesday/articleshow/67334294.cms Kolar becomes third tehsil of state capital]</ref>
{{Villages in Berasia tehsil}} {{Villages in Huzur tehsil}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://bhopal.nic.in Bhopal District web site]
{{Geographic location |Centre = Bhopal district |North = [[Guna district]] |Northeast = [[Vidisha district]] |East = |Southeast = [[Raisen district]] |South = |Southwest = [[Sehore district]] |West = |Northwest = [[Rajgarh district]] }} {{City of Bhopal}} {{Districts of Madhya Pradesh}} {{Minority Concentrated Districts in India}} {{Bhopal Division}} {{Authority control}}
{{Coord|23.2667|N|77.4|E|type:adm3rd_source:itwiki|display=title}}
[[Category:Bhopal district| ]] [[Category:Districts of Madhya Pradesh]] [[Category:Minority concentrated districts in India]] [[Category:1972 establishments in Madhya Pradesh]]