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Madhya Pradesh consisted of the region called
Malwa. The Malwa region was
occupied by the predecessors of the Bhils, Gonds and other tribes who had to
confront the Aryans. The Aryans who were stronger pushed the tribal inhabitants to the south of the
Vindhyas. The Malwa region is also found to have evidences
of a civilization contemporary to the Indus Valley Civilization. This region
excelled in art and architecture during the period of Buddhism when this area
witnessed the rule of Mauryan empire till 327 B.C. The Sungas also established
their influence over this region. The rule of Vikramaditya lasted from 78AD to
388AD and after this Chandragupta II ruled from 388 to 401AD.A After the decline
of the Guptas, by the 10th century Malwa was under King Bhoja II of the
Paramaras. Internal rivalry between the tribes and the Rajputs made it easy for
the Muslims to establish their rule which lasted till 1401AD.The Khiljis under
Mahmud Khilji ruled from 1435-1459. The invasion of Babar paved the way for
establishment of a strong Muslim rule from 1526 to 1530. The Sur dynasty under
Sher Shah also had its influence on it. In 1562 Akbar made it a part of the
Mughal empire and it remained a part of Mughal empire till the 18th century. The tribal, Gonds gained control of Malwa
after the decline of the Mughals followed by the Marathas from 1690.Though this
area too fell under the British jurisdiction it was administered by the Marathas
who ceded it to the British completely by 1817. In 1948 after independence this
region of Malwa was joined with regions of Indore and Bhopal. In 1956 it was organised
into the present Madhya Pradesh.
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