Abstract: Intelligent control,which embodies the merged techniques of artificial intelligence,computer and control science,and those of human control strategy derived throughsimulation studies,has emerged as an important trend in the evolution of automationtechnique in the last decade.It appears as an advanced versatile technique whichpromises to give wide applicability in large scale,complex,and dynamically uncer-tain systems.This paper presents an overview expounding the historical background,present state-of-art,and the perspective of intelligent control with comments.Adiscussion elucidating the fundamental characteristics of intelligent control is madein full detail.Finally,the paper concludes with the authors' view point with regardto the areas where further research efforts are needful.