Bhopal State (1949–1956)

Bhopal State
Former State
1949–1956
Etymology: from Bhojpal or Bhoj's dam
Location of Bhopal State in India
CountryIndia
RegionCentral India
Previously wasBhopal State
Formation1 June 1949
Admission to union1 June 1949
Dissolution1956 (by States Reorganisation Act, 1956)
Capital
and largest city
Bhopal
Government
  Chief minister
 20 March 1952 – 31 October 1956
Shankar Dayal Sharma (First and Last)
Area
  Total
17,801 km2 (6,873 sq mi)
Population
 (1931)
  Total
7,300,000
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Bhopal State
Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal was a state of India, which existed from 1949 to 1956. The state evolved out of the princely state of Bhopal, and was merged with neighbouring states to form Madhya Pradesh in 1956. Shankar Dayal Sharma of the Indian National Congress served as chief minister of Bhopal state from 1952 to 1956.