Bhopal Time Machine

A Timeline Of "Evolution Of Bhopal'

Prehistoric Era
30,000 BCE – 1000 AD
Prehistoric Era
Prehistoric Era
Prehistoric Era
The Rise of Raja Bhoj’s Smart City
1000 AD – 1400 AD
The Rise of Raja Bhoj’s Smart City
The Rise of Raja Bhoj’s Smart City
The Nawabi Era
1707 – 1857
The Nawabi Era
1707 – 1857
1707 – 1857
The Colonial & Post-Independence Phase
1901 – 1991
The Colonial & Post-Independence Phase
1901 – 1991
The Colonial & Post-Independence Phase
1901 – 1991
The Colonial & Post-Independence Phase
1901 – 1991
The Colonial & Post-Independence Phase
1901 – 1991
The Colonial & Post-Independence Industrial Phase
1901 – 1991
The Era of Transition – From Heritage City to Emerging Capital
1991 – 2010
The Era of Transition – From Heritage City to Emerging Capital
1991 – 2010
The Era of Transition – From Heritage City to Emerging Capital
1991 – 2010
The 21st Century Vision – Bhopal’s Rebirth as a Modern Capital
2010 – Present
The 21st Century Vision – Bhopal’s Rebirth as a Modern Capital
2010 – Present
The 21st Century Vision – Bhopal’s Rebirth as a Modern Capital
2010 – Present
The 21st Century Vision – Bhopal’s Rebirth as a Modern Capital
2010 – Present
30,000+ BCE

The Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provide archaeological proof of human settlement in the region.

10,000 BCE – 5,000 BCE

Prehistoric humans painted intricate rock art in Bhimbetka, marking one of the earliest expressions of creativity and communication.

1000 BCE – 300 BCE

Early settlements began forming around natural water sources, including the now-famous Upper and Lower Lakes.

300 BCE – 1000 AD

The region witnessed continuous habitation, trade, and gradual socio-political evolution.

1010 AD

The legendary Raja Bhoj, one of India’s greatest kings, established Bhojpal, a strategically designed city with sustainable water management, planned urban settlements, and economic zones.

11th Century

Raja Bhoj constructed the largest man-made lake in Asia (422 sq. km), a marvel of hydrological engineering.

12th – 14th Century

The city remained an intellectual and cultural hub, fostering advancements in architecture, medicine, and literature.

1707

Dost Mohammad Khan, an Afghan warrior, laid the foundation of modern Bhopal, expanding the city’s boundaries and fortifications.

1819 – 1837

Qudsia Begum, the first female ruler of Bhopal, established an inclusive and progressive administration.

1844 – 1901

The Begums of Bhopal, one of the few matriarchal dynasties in India, built iconic structures like Taj-ul-Masajid, Moti Masjid, Shaukat Mahal, and Gauhar Mahal, shaping Bhopal’s architectural identity.

1857

During the First War of Independence, Bhopal played a crucial role, aligning with British forces while maintaining autonomy.

1901 – 1947

Bhopal, under British rule, remained an important princely state, known for its unique Indo-Islamic culture and education centers.

1949

Bhopal joined the Indian Union as a part of Madhya Pradesh.

1956

Establishment of BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited)—Bhopal’s first major industrial landmark, marking the city’s transition into an industrial hub.

1969

Arrival of Union Carbide, reinforcing Bhopal’s position as a growing industrial economy.

1984

Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the world’s worst industrial disaster, shattered the city’s industrial momentum, leaving deep scars on its economic and social fabric.

1991

While India moved towards economic liberalization, Bhopal struggled to attract large-scale investments and redefine its industrial landscape.

1991 – 2000

With growing real estate, educational institutions, and tourism, Bhopal started evolving into a balanced urban center.

2000 – 2010

The IT and service sector started gaining traction, but Bhopal remained underrepresented in national economic policies.

2009

Kamaal Ka Bhopal movement was initiated to redefine Bhopal’s narrative and position it as a city of historical pride and modern innovation.

2014

The Bhopal identity project was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged the need to redefine Bhopal’s role in India’s development.

2017

CREDAI Bhopal conducted a branding survey, gathering insights from citizens, investors, and industry leaders.

2018 – 2023

Efforts intensified to position Bhopal as an investment, tourism, and logistics hub.

2023

The Kamaal Ka Bhopal vision was officially introduced at GIS 2023, attracting national and global attention.

A Timeline Of "Kamaal Ka Bhopal Movement'

Phase 1
(1956 - 1991)
Industrial & Economic Journey
1956
Bhopal got its first major industrial establishment, BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited), which gave the city’s economy a new direction.
1969
Union Carbide set up operations, strengthening Bhopal’s industrial sector.
1970 - 1980
Several supporting industries emerged in Greater Bhopal and surrounding areas, accelerating economic growth.
1984
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy—one of the world’s worst industrial disasters—halted the city's industrial and economic progress.
1991
During the economic liberalization era, while the rest of India surged ahead, Bhopal struggled to reclaim its lost industrial prominence. Other cities soared to new heights, but Bhopal could not re-establish itself as a major economic hub.
Phase 2
(2009 - 2017)
Birth of "Kamaal Ka Bhopal" (2009 - 2017)
2009
Manoj Meek and organizations like CREDAI Bhopal initiated discussions, urging the government and industry leaders to rebuild and reposition Bhopal.
2012
Through extensive research, Bhopal’s unique strengths were identified and documented.
2014
Then Member of Parliament, Alok Sanjar, presented the reimagined identity of Bhopal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who appreciated the perspective and remarked: "I lived in Bhopal as the in-charge of Madhya Pradesh, but I had never seen this city from this viewpoint!"
2017
CREDAI Bhopal conducted a branding survey, gathering public opinions on how Bhopal should evolve and develop.
Phase 3
(2018 - 2023)
Institutional Development of "Kamaal Ka Bhopal
2018
Efforts began to involve industrial and business organizations in this movement.
2019
During the Bhopal Lok Sabha elections, former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh included this vision in his manifesto.
2021
CREDAI Bhopal intensified lobbying efforts, demanding a special capital status for Bhopal from the state government.
2022
The strategic blueprint for "Kamaal Ka Bhopal" was finalized.
2023
The concept was officially presented to investors at GIS 2023 (Global Investors Summit).
Phase 4
(2024 - 2025)
Manoj Meek took over as the President of CREDAI Bhopal and accelerated the campaign.
October 2024
The Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh granted conceptual approval and instructed the preparation of a detailed report.
November 2024
The proposal was submitted to the Chief Minister and the State Policy Commission.
January 2025
The Principal Secretary of Urban Development accepted the report and recommended its inclusion in GIS 2025.
February 1, 2025
Chief Secretary Anurag Jain officially approved the report and directed authorities for implementation.
February 2, 2025
A strategic meeting took place with the Bhopal Commissioner, Collector, and Municipal Commissioner to discuss the roadmap of "Kamaal Ka Bhopal."
Phase 5
Feb 2025 & Beyond
The formal announcement of "Kamaal Ka Bhopal" at GIS 2025.
Jan 2020
Sub Label
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mr Mohan yadav Unveils the Campaign formally.