The ‘chowk" or square is the nerve centre of the old walled city, a crowded bustling place of narrow lanes and tiny shops. Amidst all the chaos and confusion stands the Shaukat Mahal, a quaint mix of European architectural styles, incongruous yet compatible in an area dominated by Islamic architecture.
	Not far away is the elegant Sadar Manzil, the hall of public audience of the erstwhile Nawabs of Bhopal. The Jami Masjid and the Moti Masjid in Bhopal, inspired by Delhi’s famous Jama Masjid built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, are the other important mosques in the city dating back to the 19th century.

Modern Bhopal has most of its attractions spread across the prime real estate area of Shamla and Idgah Hills. Overlooking the Upper Lake from its vantage position on Shamla Hills is the very interesting Tribal Habitat Museum also called the Museum of Man with an excellent open air exhibition of contemporary, life-size, tribal dwellings from all over India and ancient rock shelters.

Complementing the Museum of Man is the centre for the performing and visual arts housed at Bharat Bhavan, a unique institute devoted to the preservation of performing arts and traditional folk culture. The Bharat Bhavan is a striking building constructed in 1984 and designed by the celebrated architect Charles Correa.