Islam Nagar Renamed Jagdishpur, Yet Old Name Persists on Tickets After Three Years

Bhopal: Nearly three years after Islam Nagar was officially renamed Jagdishpur, visitors to the historic fort near Bhopal continue to receive entry tickets bearing the old name. The anomaly has once again highlighted the slow pace of administrative updates and the gap between policy decisions and ground-level implementation.

Officials from the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums have acknowledged that the ticket vending machines installed at the site still carry the earlier name, Islam Nagar. These machines were set up several years ago and have not yet been updated to reflect the fort’s new identity as Jagdishpur Fort.

A Fort of Mughal–Rajput Heritage

The fort, known for its unique blend of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles, stands as an important historical landmark in the region. Recently, the first phase of its restoration was completed, focusing on structural strengthening and improving visitor amenities. While the restoration has enhanced the fort’s visual appeal and safety, outdated ticketing has emerged as a point of confusion and irony for tourists.

Paperless Ticketing on the Way

State Archaeology Officer Nilesh Lokande, in charge of the Jagdishpur site, admitted the issue and assured corrective action.
“We are aware that tickets are still being issued under the name Islam Nagar. The old machines will soon be removed, and a paperless ticketing system will be introduced,” he said.
According to officials, the upcoming system will include cashless payments and online booking facilities, aligning the site with modern ticketing practices followed at major heritage monuments across India.

Tourists Caught Between Past and Present

Experts believe that uniform use of the renamed identity, along with upgraded digital infrastructure, is essential to strengthening the fort’s new image and improving the visitor experience. Until then, tourists remain symbolically caught between history and modernity—holding tickets that echo the fort’s past as Islam Nagar, while standing amidst restored structures that represent its future as Jagdishpur.

The episode serves as a reminder that renaming a place is not merely a political or administrative act, but a process that requires consistent and timely execution at every level to truly take effect.