Vidisha
Vidisha (विदिशा, formerly known as Bhelsa and known as Besnagar in ancient times) is a city in central Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located 62.5 km northeast of the state capital, Bhopal. The name "Vidisha" is derived from the nearby river "Bais", mentioned in the Puranas.
Vidisha
विदिशा | |
|---|---|
City | |
Vidisha Vidisha | |
| Coordinates: 23.53°N 77.82°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| District | Vidisha |
| Elevation | 424 m (1,391 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 155,959 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Vehicle registration | MP-40 |
| Website | vidisha |
The district was created as Bhilsa District in 1904 by joining the tehsils of Vidisha (also known as Bhilsa) and Basoda (but not Basoda State) which were then part of Gwalior state. After India's independence in 1947, the former princely state of Gwalior became part of Madhya Bharat state, which was formed in 1948.
Vidishā was the administrative headquarters of Bhelsa, or Bhilsa, during the Medieval period. It was renamed Vidisha in 1956. Vidisha is also amongst the 112 Aspirational District in the Aspirational District Programme launched by NITI Aayog in 2018.