Madhya Pradesh(MP) is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and the largest city is Indore with Jabalpur, Gwalior, and Ujjain being the other major cities. Nicknamed as the “Heart of India” due to its geographical location, it is the second-largest state in the country by area. With over 75 million inhabitants, it is the fifth-largest state in India by population.

Madhya Pradesh means “Central Province”, and is located in the geographic heart of India. The state straddles the Narmada River, which runs east and west between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges; these ranges and the Narmada are the traditional boundary between the north and south of India. The highest point in Madhya Pradesh is Dhupgarh, with an elevation of 1,350 m (4,429 ft).

Madhya Pradesh has a Subtropical Climate. Like most of north India, it has a hot dry summer (April–June), followed by monsoon rains (July–September) and a cool and relatively dry winter. The average rainfall is about 1,371 mm (54.0 in). The southeastern districts have the heaviest rainfall, some places receiving as much as 2,150 mm (84.6 in), while the western and northwestern districts receive 1,000 mm (39.4 in) or less.

The official language of the state is Hindi. In addition Marathi is spoken by a substantial number of the population since the state was home to several important and prestigious Maratha states. The state in fact has the highest concentration of Marathi People outside Maharashtra.

Three sites in Madhya Pradesh have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO: the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Buddhisht Monuments by Sanchi and the Bhimbetika Rock Shelter.