Indore history

The history of Indore is inextricably linked to the rise of the Maratha Empire and the Holkar dynasty, which transformed a small settlement into a thriving centre of power and trade. Although a settlement at the confluence of the Khan and Saraswati rivers had existed for centuries, serving as a stopover for pilgrims, its modern history begins in the 18th century. The key figure in the city's establishment was Malhar Rao Holkar, a Maratha military commander. In 1733, he was granted these lands by the Peshwa (Prime Minister) and established a military camp here. The status of the capital was definitively secured for Indore under Malhar Rao's daughter-in-law, the distinguished ruler Ahilyabai Holkar, who reigned from 1767 to 1795.

The rise of Indore was driven by several factors. Firstly, the city became the capital of the powerful Holkar State, one of the key states in the Maratha Confederacy, which provided it with stability and resources for growth. Secondly, its strategic location in the fertile Malwa region made Indore an important point on trade routes. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, the state became a protectorate of British India, which, despite the loss of political independence, contributed to further economic development.

Under the rule of the Holkar dynasty, Indore evolved into a significant economic and cultural hub. In the 19th century, the city grew rapidly thanks to the cotton and opium trade. The rulers, particularly Ahilyabai Holkar, were actively involved in the construction of temples and palaces, shaping the city's unique architectural appearance, which combined Maratha, Mughal, and European styles. The magnificent Rajwada Palace, founded by Malhar Rao Holkar back in 1747, became the symbol of the dynasty's power and prosperity.

Chronology of Key Events

The history of Indore is a journey from a small trading settlement on a riverbank to a modern metropolis, recognised as the cleanest city in India. Each date in this chronicle marks an important stage in shaping the unique character of the city, where the heritage of Maratha rulers sits alongside advanced technologies.

• 1715 — Local landowners found a trading settlement on the banks of the Khan River. This event is considered the starting point in the history of the city, which emerged at the intersection of pilgrimage and trade routes.
• 1733 — Malhar Rao Holkar receives these lands from the Peshwa as a reward for military successes, laying the foundation for the dynasty that ruled the region for two centuries.
• 1747 — Construction of the Rajwada Palace begins. This majestic seven-storey building became the symbol of royal power and the main architectural landmark of the historic centre.
• 1818 — After the Battle of Mahidpur and the signing of a treaty with the British, the capital of the state is officially moved from Maheshwar to Indore, kickstarting its rapid urbanisation.
• 1875 — Opening of the Holkar railway line. Connecting the city to the country's unified transport network stimulated the export of cotton and opium, turning it into a major trading hub.
• 1906 — Electrification of the city. The arrival of electricity gave a powerful impulse to the development of the textile industry and the modernisation of production.
• 1918 — The famous Scottish urban planner Patrick Geddes develops the first master plan for urban development, the ideas of which regarding landscape preservation remain relevant today.
• 1947 — The last ruling Maharaja, Yashwant Rao II, signs the instrument of accession of the state to the Indian Union, ending the era of monarchy.
• 1948 — The city receives the status of the summer capital of the newly formed state of Madhya Bharat, which contributes to the development of administrative infrastructure.
• 1956 — As a result of administrative reform, the city becomes part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Although Bhopal becomes the administrative capital, Indore asserts its title as the commercial capital of the region.
• 2009 — Opening of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). The city becomes a unique educational hub, the only one in the country to host campuses of two of the most prestigious institutions simultaneously — IIT and IIM.
• 2017 — Indore ranks first in the national cleanliness survey Swachh Survekshan for the first time, becoming an example of effective urban management and maintaining its leadership in subsequent years.

Stages of Formation: From Trade Route to Smart City

The development of Indore is the story of the transformation of a strategically important trading post into the economic capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The city has journeyed from a princely residence to a modern metropolis, becoming a shining example of urbanisation in central India. Below are the key milestones that have defined the modern look and status of the city.

• Formation of a Trade Hub (18th Century)
  Due to its location on the Malwa plateau, the city initially developed as a key point on the trade route between Delhi and the Deccan. This laid the foundations for its commercial character, which remains to this day, making trade the bedrock of the local economy.
• Creation of Regular Urban Planning (19th Century)
  During the period of British influence and the rule of the later Holkars, elements of European town planning began to be introduced in the city. The appearance of wide roads, street lighting, and organised markets (bazaars) turned the chaotic settlement into a structured city.
• Textile Boom and the "Mini-Mumbai" Moniker (Early 20th Century)
  The opening of the first textile mills radically changed the region's economy. Cotton cultivation and processing attracted huge investments and a workforce, giving the city the unofficial status of an industrial centre comparable to Bombay (Mumbai).
• Infrastructure Breakthrough: The Railway (1870s)
  The construction of the railway line connecting the city with major ports and centres of the country became a catalyst for exports. This event definitively secured the city's status as the main commercial hub of Central India.
• Status as Capital of Madhya Bharat (1948–1956)
  In the early years of independence, the city served as the summer capital of the state of Madhya Bharat. This period contributed to the development of administrative infrastructure, the construction of government buildings, and the expansion of housing for civil servants.
• Emergence as an Educational Hub (Late 20th – Early 21st Century)
  The opening of prestigious institutes (including the unique combination of IIT and IIM in one city) transformed the city into a centre of intellectual capital, attracting youth from all over the country and stimulating the development of the service sector and startups.
• Transformation into a "Smart City" (Modern Era)
  In recent decades, the city has made an incredible leap in the sphere of municipal services and ecology. The implementation of advanced waste management and street cleaning systems allowed it to repeatedly win the title of the cleanest city in the country, which attracted new investments in the IT sector and the construction of the "Super Corridor" (technology park).

Architectural Eclecticism: From Maratha Palaces to High-Tech

The appearance of Indore is a visual chronicle frozen in stone. The city does not have a single architectural style; instead, it charms with a blend of eras, where traditional Indian architecture sits alongside majestic European classics and modern urbanism. The urban fabric of the city developed from chaotic medieval bazaars around the royal residence to the clearly planned wide avenues of the "Smart City".

Era of the Holkar Dynasty: Maratha Style and Mughal Influence

In the 18th and 19th centuries, when the city was establishing itself as the capital of the state, the dominant style was a mixture of Maratha and Mughal architectural traditions. Buildings of this era are distinguished by their massiveness, the use of local stone and wood, as well as rich carvings.

• Style: Indo-Islamic synthesis, Maratha architecture.
• Characteristic features: Exquisite jharokha balconies, cusped arches, chhatri domes, massive wooden doors, and internal courtyards (wadas).
• Iconic landmarks:
  • Rajwada Palace — A unique seven-storey structure, where the lower floors are made of stone in the Maratha style, and the upper ones are of wood, reminiscent of Mughal pavilions.
  • Krishnapura Chhatris — Royal cenotaphs on the banks of the Khan River. These are masterpieces of stone carving with ribbed domes and pyramidal spires, typical of the region's temple architecture.

Colonial Period and "European Renaissance"

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Holkar rulers, inspired by travels across Europe, as well as the British administration, began actively introducing Western styles. This period gifted the city its most pompous and majestic buildings, turning Indore into a showcase of European architecture in the heart of India.

• Styles: Indo-Gothic, Neoclassicism, Italian Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Palladianism.
• Characteristic features: High clock towers, stained glass windows, Greek colonnades, rich stucco moulding, parquet floors, and the use of red sandstone combined with white marble.
• Iconic landmarks:
  • Lal Bagh Palace — One of the most impressive palaces on the subcontinent, combining elements of Renaissance, Palladianism, and Baroque. Its interiors resemble Versailles, and the gates are a replica of the gates of Buckingham Palace.
  • Gandhi Hall (formerly King Edward Hall) — A striking example of the Indo-Gothic style with a clock tower topped with a dome and pointed arches.
  • Daly College — An example of the Indo-Saracenic style, which united British Victorian architecture with Indian motifs.

Modernity: Modernism and Smart City

After gaining independence and especially in the 21st century, Indore began to grow rapidly upwards and outwards. The modern stage of urban planning is characterised by functionalism and a drive for sustainability, turning the city into the commercial capital of the state.

• Styles: Modernism, Postmodernism, High-Tech.
• Characteristic features: Glass facades of business centres, multi-level interchanges, wide highways (the famous "Super Corridor"), and organised residential complexes.
• Development: The city became a pioneer in the country in implementing the "Smart City" concept, which is reflected in the standardisation of street infrastructure and the appearance of modern public spaces that contrast with the historic centre.

Distinguished Figures of Indore

The city of Indore, with its rich history and cultural heritage, has been the birthplace and centre of activity for many outstanding personalities — from wise rulers to global stars in arts and sports. These individuals have left an indelible mark not only on the history of the city but also on all of India.

Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795)

The legendary ruler of the Malwa kingdom from the Holkar dynasty. Although she moved the capital to Maheshwar, her reign is considered a "golden age" for the entire region, including Indore. She was renowned for her wisdom, justice, and extensive charitable activities, building numerous temples and dharamshalas (rest houses for pilgrims) throughout India. Her contribution to the development of culture and architecture laid the foundation for Indore's prosperity.

Yashwant Rao Holkar II (1908–1961)

The last ruling Maharaja of Indore, known for his progressive views and passion for European modernism. He was educated in England and was a connoisseur of avant-garde art. His most famous project was the construction of Manik Bagh Palace in 1930 — one of the finest examples of Art Deco style in India. It was he who signed the document for the accession of the State of Indore to independent India in 1947.

Lata Mangeshkar (1929–2022)

One of the greatest and most revered singers in Indian history, known as the "Nightingale of India". She was born in Indore on 28 September 1929. Although her family left the city when she was a child, Lata Mangeshkar always fondly remembered her roots. Her voice features in thousands of Indian films, and her contribution to music is recognised worldwide.

Salman Khan (born 1965)

One of the most influential and commercially successful actors in modern Bollywood, a film producer, and television presenter. He was born in Indore on 27 December 1965 and spent part of his childhood here. The actor retains warm feelings for his hometown and has visited it repeatedly, recalling his childhood years spent on its streets.

Rahul Dravid (born 1973)

A legendary cricket player and former captain of the Indian national team, known by the nickname "The Wall" for his reliability and endurance. He was born in Indore on 11 January 1973. Although his family later moved to Bangalore, where he grew up, Indore is his birthplace. Rahul Dravid is considered one of the greatest batsmen in the history of world cricket.