"Madhya Pradesh" means "middle state" in
Hindi.
The modern Indian state is situated in the subcontinent's
geographic center.
Madhya Pradesh was founded from the old Central Provinces,
Berar State, and many princely kingdoms when India gained independence in 1947.
Large swaths of the state, notably in the Vindhya Mountain
and Satpura ranges, are inaccessible and underdeveloped.
A substantial majority of adivasis (indigenous tribal
people) live in Madhya Pradesh, and many of them are destitute.
The Chandella temples at Khajuraho and the caves at
Udayagiri are two important archaeological sites in Madhya Pradesh.
The Narmada River, one of India's seven sacred rivers, and
the holy city of Ujjain are sacred locations (tirthas).
For general information on Madhya Pradesh and other Indian
states, see Christine Nivin & al., India. 8th ed., Lonely Planet, 1998.
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