Indore

Indore is the largest and most populous city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

It serves as the state's commercial capital and a vital financial center. The city is also a major education hub for central India. It hosts prestigious campuses like the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Management.

Geographically, Indore sits on the southern edge of the Malwa Plateau. Because of this location, it has the highest elevation among major cities in central India. The urban agglomeration had a population of 5,560,000 in 2025.

The city's physical environment is defined by its location near the Kanh and Saraswati rivers. The Indore Metropolitan Region is quite large, covering 9,989.69 square kilometers. This region includes several other areas like Ujjain, Dewas, Pithampur, and Nagda. Indore is positioned 220 km west of Bhopal and 350 km east of Ahmedabad. It is also 480 km from the Hazira Port in Surat and 550 km from the JNPT Sea Port in Mumbai.

Indore is nationally recognized for its cleanliness and environmental standards. It has been declared the cleanest city in India for eight consecutive years from 2017 to 2023. In 2021, it was named India's first 'water plus' city under the Swachhta Survekshan. The city is also the only Indian city selected for the International Clean Air Catalyst Programme. This five-year project involves the Indore Municipal Corporation and the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board. Their goal is to purify the city's air.

The history of Indore stretches back to the Gupta Empire. An inscription from 465 CE refers to the area as Indrapura.

During this era, the Gupta king Skandagupta provided funds to maintain a local sun temple. This temple was built by two merchants named Achalavarman and Bhṛikuṇṭhasiṁha. The name Indore is believed to come from the Indreshwar Mahadev Temple. Legends say the deity Indra performed meditation, or Tapasya, at this site.

In the 18th century, the Maratha Empire gained control of the region. On 18 May 1724, Peshwa Baji Rao I assumed control of Malwa. He left Malhar Rao Holkar at Indore to manage the collection of chauth, which was a type of tax. The Holkar dynasty later ruled Indore as a princely state. This state held a high rank as a 19 Gun Salute state. Ahilyabai Holkar became a famous ruler of Indore after the death of her son and her father-in-law. Her reign is remembered as a golden age for the region.

Ahilyabai Holkar was a significant builder and leader. She constructed hundreds of temples and Dharmashalas across India. She worked to restore many sacred sites that had been damaged in previous centuries. These sites included the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Shri Rama Temple in Ayodhya. She also renovated temples at Badrinath, Dwarka, and Omkareshwar. Under the British Raj, Indore became a major administrative center. The British promoted Indore as an alternative to Ujjain for merchants. The city saw significant growth after the introduction of railways in 1875.

Today, Indore is a massive industrial and technological center. Pithampur is one of India's top five industrial hubs. It contains over 1,000 factories and is a major center for automotive and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The area even features Asia's longest test track. Indore is also part of the Smart Cities Mission. It was among the first twenty cities selected for this national development project. The city continues to modernize its infrastructure, including its metro rail and transport services.