Uttar Pradesh: Difference between revisions

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}} {{Infobox Indian state or territory

| name = Uttar Pradesh

| name = Uttar Pradesh {{Verified}}

| image = Uttar Pradesh Map.jpg

| image_caption = Map showing the location of Uttar Pradesh

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By 6000 BCE, people started living in villages with domesticated cattle, sheep, and goats, and also began practicing agriculture. From about 4000 to 1500 BCE, these settlements developed further, starting with the Indus Valley and Harappan culture, then moving into the Vedic period and later the Iron Age.

=== Ancient and Classical Period ===

In ancient India, there were sixteen great kingdoms called Mahajanapadas, out of which seven were located in present-day Uttar Pradesh. The Kingdom of Kosala was one of them, with its capital in Ayodhya, where, according to Hindu belief, Lord Rama ruled. Another important city was Mathura, said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, a key figure in the Mahabharata. The famous Kurukshetra War is also believed to have taken place near the Upper Doab and Delhi during the time of the Pandava king Yudhishthira. The Kuru kingdom is linked with the beginning of the Iron Age in India around 1000 BCE.

The Gangetic plains were very important for India’s major empires, including the Maurya, Kushan, Gupta, and Gurjara-Pratihara dynasties. After the fall of the Gupta Empire due to Huns’ invasions, the city of Kannauj rose to power. Under Harshavardhana (590–647 CE), Kannauj became very strong, ruling over a large part of north and central India, from Punjab to Bengal and Gujarat to Odisha. However, after his death, the empire broke into smaller kingdoms. Kannauj later came under the control of the Gurjara-Pratiharas, who often fought with the Pala Empire of Bengal. The city was also attacked many times by the Rashtrakutas of South India. Finally, after the fall of the Palas, the Chero dynasty ruled parts of Uttar Pradesh from the 12th to the 18th century.

=== Delhi Sultanate ===

The Delhi Sultanate ruled parts or all of Uttar Pradesh for about 320 years (1206–1526). It was ruled by five dynasties one after another: the Mamluk dynasty (1206–1290), the Khalji dynasty (1290–1320), the Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414), the Sayyid dynasty (1414–1451), and the Lodi dynasty (1451–1526).

The first Sultan of Delhi, Qutb ud-Din Aibak, captured places like Meerut, Aligarh, and Etawah. His successor Iltutmish expanded power further by defeating the King of Kannauj. Later, Sultan Balban faced many rebellions in Uttar Pradesh but managed to control them. Alauddin Khalji extended his rule to cities like Varanasi and Prayagraj.

This period also saw the rise of Sufism in Uttar Pradesh. Famous Sufi saints like Nizamuddin Auliya and Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki spread their teachings, which influenced the people deeply. During the Sultanate era, many mosques and tombs were built, such as the Atala Masjid in Jaunpur, the Jama Masjid in Fatehpur Sikri, and Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq’s Tomb in Tughlaqabad.

=== Medieval and Early Modern period ===

In the 16th century, Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, came through the Khyber Pass and founded the Mughal Empire, which covered India along with modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The Mughals were of Central Asian Turkish origin with some Mongol ancestry. During their rule, Uttar Pradesh became the heartland of the empire. Mughal rulers Babur and Humayun ruled from Delhi.

In 1540, Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun and took control of Uttar Pradesh. He and his son Islam Shah ruled from their capital at Gwalior. After Islam Shah’s death, his prime minister Hemu became ruler of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Bengal. He was crowned as Hemchandra Vikramaditya at Purana Qila in Delhi in 1556. But a month later, he was killed in the Second Battle of Panipat, and then Akbar took control. Emperor Akbar ruled from Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.

=== British India period ===

In the second half of the 18th century, the British East India Company gained control over much of North India, including present-day Uttar Pradesh. This area was first called the North-Western Provinces (NWPA), with its capital shifting between Agra and Allahabad. Later, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which began in Meerut with Mangal Pandey, the British reorganized the regions. Delhi was merged with Punjab, Ajmer with Rajputana, and Oudh was joined with Agra to form the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, renamed in 1902 as the United Provinces (UP).

In 1920, the capital was shifted from Allahabad to Lucknow, but the High Court remained in Allahabad. Uttar Pradesh played a major role in India’s independence movement. Important universities like Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, and Darul Uloom Deoband were founded here. Many freedom fighters such as Ram Prasad Bismil, Chandra Shekhar Azad, and leaders like Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Govind Ballabh Pant came from this region. The All India Kisan Sabha was formed in Lucknow in 1936 to fight for farmers’ rights. During the Quit India Movement in 1942, the people of Ballia district declared independence and set up their own administration under Chittu Pandey, earning the name “Baghi Ballia” (Rebel Ballia).

=== Post Independence period ===

After India became independent in 1947, the United Provinces was renamed Uttar Pradesh (meaning “northern province”) on 24 January 1950. This name also kept UP as its short form. The new state was created by merging many princely states and territories, including Agra, Oudh, and Delhi.

Uttar Pradesh has given India nine prime ministers, the highest from any state, and it also sends the largest number of seats to the Lok Sabha (India’s parliament). However, despite its political importance, the state has struggled with poor economic growth, weak administration, corruption, and crime, which made it one of India’s backward states.

The state has also faced many problems of caste and communal violence. In December 1992, the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished by Hindu activists, leading to riots across India. Later, in 2000, the northern districts of Uttar Pradesh were separated to create the new state of Uttarakhand.

== Geography ==

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Uttar Pradesh has over 32 rivers, with the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Betwa, and Ghaghara being the largest and important in Hinduism. Farming is widely practiced. The state has three main agricultural zones: Middle Gangetic Plains (Zone IV), Upper Gangetic Plains (Zone V), and Central Plateau and Hills (Zone VIII). The valley areas have rich soil, while some hill slopes are farmed with limited irrigation. The Siwalik Range forms the southern Himalayan foothills, sloping into the Bhabhar. The Terai-Bhabhar belt runs along the state, with dense forests and many streams that swell during the monsoon.

===Administrative Divisions of Uttar Pradesh===

Uttar Pradesh is divided into 75 districts under 18 divisions:

* Saharanpur

* Moradabad

* Bareilly

* Meerut

* Aligarh

* Agra

* Devipatan

* Basti

* Gorakhpur

* Kanpur

* Lucknow

* Ayodhya

* Azamgarh

* Jhansi

* Chitrakoot

* Prayagraj

* Varanasi

* Mirzapur

== Culture ==

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Child health indicators are among the worst in India. Many children die before the age of five, with a high number dying within the first month or the first year of life.

== ~~Government and Politics~~ ==

===Tourism===

* Current Chief Minister: ~~[[Yogi Adityanath]]~~

Uttar Pradesh is the top state in India for domestic tourism. In 2021, around 110 million Indian tourists and about 44,000 foreign tourists visited the state. The Taj Mahal alone attracts around 7 million people every year and earns big revenue from ticket sales. The state has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri.

* Governing party: [[Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)]]

* Bicameral legislature: [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]] and [[Legislative Council]]

Religious tourism is very important for the state’s economy. Varanasi is one of the oldest and most sacred cities for Hindus and Jains. Vrindavan is a holy place for followers of Vaishnavism. Sravasti is an important Buddhist site, believed to be where Buddha gave many of his teachings. Ayodhya is considered the birthplace of Lord Rama and is one of the top pilgrimage places for Hindus. Prayagraj hosts the Magh Mela every year on the banks of the Ganges River, and every 12 years the larger Kumbh Mela is held there, attracting millions of pilgrims in one of the biggest gatherings in the world.

* Sends the ~~highest~~ number of MPs to the [[Lok Sabha]]

The state also has many important Buddhist sites. Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment, and Kushinagar, where he died, are major pilgrimage centres. Sarnath is also home to the famous Ashoka Pillars and the Lion Capital of Ashoka, which is India’s national emblem.

Other attractions include Ghazipur, known for its Ghats on the Ganges and the tomb of Lord Cornwallis, maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Jhansi Fort, linked to the Revolt of 1857, is another historic site. The fort’s architecture, with thick walls and bastions, shows a mix of Hindu and Islamic styles.

== Government and Administration ==

Uttar Pradesh is governed through a parliamentary system of democracy. It is one of the seven states in India that has a bicameral legislature (two houses) – the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) with 404 elected members, and the Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) with 100 members, where one-third retire every two years. Uttar Pradesh also sends the largest number of MPs to the Indian Parliament, with 80 seats in the Lok Sabha and 31 seats in the Rajya Sabha.

The Governor is the constitutional head of the state and is appointed by the President of India for five years. The Chief Minister, chosen from the party or alliance with a majority in the Assembly, runs the government with the Council of Ministers. The Governor acts as a ceremonial head, while the Chief Minister and ministers manage daily work. Each department is led by a minister, assisted by senior IAS officers like the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, and Principal Secretary.

For administration, the state is divided into 18 divisions and 75 districts. Each division is headed by a Divisional Commissioner (IAS), and each district is led by a District Magistrate (IAS), who is responsible for law and order and public services. At the block level, development is handled by a Block Development Officer (BDO). The Uttar Pradesh Police is headed by a Director General of Police (IPS), while each district has a Superintendent of Police (IPS). Forests and wildlife are managed by a Divisional Forest Officer (IFS).

The judiciary of Uttar Pradesh is headed by the Allahabad High Court in Prayagraj, with a bench in Lucknow. Each district has district and session courts, along with smaller courts at the tehsil level. Judges are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Chief Justice of India and the Governor. The state judiciary has two levels of service – civil judges and magistrates at the lower level, and civil and sessions judges at the higher level.

~~== Tourism ==~~

Politics in Uttar Pradesh is dominated by four main parties – the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Indian National Congress (INC). The state’s politics is often marked by strong competition, caste-based divisions, and communal tensions. Despite being the home state of eight Prime Ministers, Uttar Pradesh still struggles with many challenges to its development.

Uttar Pradesh is ~~home to world-famous landmarks:~~

* [[Taj Mahal]], ~~[[Agra Fort]]~~ (~~UNESCO World Heritage Sites~~)

* [[Fatehpur Sikri]]

* [[Kashi Vishwanath Temple]], ~~[[Buddhist Circuit]]~~ (~~Sarnath~~, ~~Kushinagar~~)

== Notable Personalities ==

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* [[Indira Gandhi]], [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] – Former Prime Ministers

* [[Amitabh Bachchan]] – Actor

* [[Ram Manohar Lohia]], [[Mayawati]], [[Mulayam Singh Yadav]] – Political leaders

* [[Ram Manohar Lohia]], [[Mayawati]], [[Mulayam Singh Yadav]],[[Akhilesh Yadav]], [[Yogi Adityanath]] – Political leaders

== See Also ==

* [[States and Union Territories of India]]

* [[Hindi Belt]]

* [[Ganga River]]

* [[Indian Politics]]

* [[Ayodhya Ram Mandir]]

* [[Kumbh Mela]]

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 |twitter:card=summary_large_image
 }} {{Infobox Indian state or territory
-| name              = Uttar Pradesh
+| name              = Uttar Pradesh {{Verified}}
 | image             = Uttar Pradesh Map.jpg
 | image_caption     = Map showing the location of Uttar Pradesh
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 By 6000 BCE, people started living in villages with domesticated cattle, sheep, and goats, and also began practicing agriculture. From about 4000 to 1500 BCE, these settlements developed further, starting with the Indus Valley and Harappan culture, then moving into the Vedic period and later the Iron Age.
+=== Ancient and Classical Period ===
+In ancient India, there were sixteen great kingdoms called Mahajanapadas, out of which seven were located in present-day Uttar Pradesh. The Kingdom of Kosala was one of them, with its capital in Ayodhya, where, according to Hindu belief, Lord Rama ruled. Another important city was Mathura, said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, a key figure in the Mahabharata. The famous Kurukshetra War is also believed to have taken place near the Upper Doab and Delhi during the time of the Pandava king Yudhishthira. The Kuru kingdom is linked with the beginning of the Iron Age in India around 1000 BCE.
+The Gangetic plains were very important for India’s major empires, including the Maurya, Kushan, Gupta, and Gurjara-Pratihara dynasties. After the fall of the Gupta Empire due to Huns’ invasions, the city of Kannauj rose to power. Under Harshavardhana (590–647 CE), Kannauj became very strong, ruling over a large part of north and central India, from Punjab to Bengal and Gujarat to Odisha. However, after his death, the empire broke into smaller kingdoms. Kannauj later came under the control of the Gurjara-Pratiharas, who often fought with the Pala Empire of Bengal. The city was also attacked many times by the Rashtrakutas of South India. Finally, after the fall of the Palas, the Chero dynasty ruled parts of Uttar Pradesh from the 12th to the 18th century.
+=== Delhi Sultanate ===
+The Delhi Sultanate ruled parts or all of Uttar Pradesh for about 320 years (1206–1526). It was ruled by five dynasties one after another: the Mamluk dynasty (1206–1290), the Khalji dynasty (1290–1320), the Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414), the Sayyid dynasty (1414–1451), and the Lodi dynasty (1451–1526).
+The first Sultan of Delhi, Qutb ud-Din Aibak, captured places like Meerut, Aligarh, and Etawah. His successor Iltutmish expanded power further by defeating the King of Kannauj. Later, Sultan Balban faced many rebellions in Uttar Pradesh but managed to control them. Alauddin Khalji extended his rule to cities like Varanasi and Prayagraj.
+This period also saw the rise of Sufism in Uttar Pradesh. Famous Sufi saints like Nizamuddin Auliya and Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki spread their teachings, which influenced the people deeply. During the Sultanate era, many mosques and tombs were built, such as the Atala Masjid in Jaunpur, the Jama Masjid in Fatehpur Sikri, and Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq’s Tomb in Tughlaqabad.
+=== Medieval and Early Modern period ===
+In the 16th century, Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, came through the Khyber Pass and founded the Mughal Empire, which covered India along with modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The Mughals were of Central Asian Turkish origin with some Mongol ancestry. During their rule, Uttar Pradesh became the heartland of the empire. Mughal rulers Babur and Humayun ruled from Delhi.
+In 1540, Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun and took control of Uttar Pradesh. He and his son Islam Shah ruled from their capital at Gwalior. After Islam Shah’s death, his prime minister Hemu became ruler of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Bengal. He was crowned as Hemchandra Vikramaditya at Purana Qila in Delhi in 1556. But a month later, he was killed in the Second Battle of Panipat, and then Akbar took control. Emperor Akbar ruled from Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.
+=== British India period ===
+In the second half of the 18th century, the British East India Company gained control over much of North India, including present-day Uttar Pradesh. This area was first called the North-Western Provinces (NWPA), with its capital shifting between Agra and Allahabad. Later, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which began in Meerut with Mangal Pandey, the British reorganized the regions. Delhi was merged with Punjab, Ajmer with Rajputana, and Oudh was joined with Agra to form the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, renamed in 1902 as the United Provinces (UP).
+In 1920, the capital was shifted from Allahabad to Lucknow, but the High Court remained in Allahabad. Uttar Pradesh played a major role in India’s independence movement. Important universities like Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, and Darul Uloom Deoband were founded here. Many freedom fighters such as Ram Prasad Bismil, Chandra Shekhar Azad, and leaders like Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Govind Ballabh Pant came from this region. The All India Kisan Sabha was formed in Lucknow in 1936 to fight for farmers’ rights. During the Quit India Movement in 1942, the people of Ballia district declared independence and set up their own administration under Chittu Pandey, earning the name “Baghi Ballia” (Rebel Ballia).
+=== Post Independence period ===
+After India became independent in 1947, the United Provinces was renamed Uttar Pradesh (meaning “northern province”) on 24 January 1950. This name also kept UP as its short form. The new state was created by merging many princely states and territories, including Agra, Oudh, and Delhi.
+Uttar Pradesh has given India nine prime ministers, the highest from any state, and it also sends the largest number of seats to the Lok Sabha (India’s parliament). However, despite its political importance, the state has struggled with poor economic growth, weak administration, corruption, and crime, which made it one of India’s backward states.
+The state has also faced many problems of caste and communal violence. In December 1992, the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished by Hindu activists, leading to riots across India. Later, in 2000, the northern districts of Uttar Pradesh were separated to create the new state of Uttarakhand.
 == Geography ==
@@ Line 50: / Line 79: @@
 Uttar Pradesh has over 32 rivers, with the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Betwa, and Ghaghara being the largest and important in Hinduism. Farming is widely practiced. The state has three main agricultural zones: Middle Gangetic Plains (Zone IV), Upper Gangetic Plains (Zone V), and Central Plateau and Hills (Zone VIII). The valley areas have rich soil, while some hill slopes are farmed with limited irrigation. The Siwalik Range forms the southern Himalayan foothills, sloping into the Bhabhar. The Terai-Bhabhar belt runs along the state, with dense forests and many streams that swell during the monsoon.
+===Administrative Divisions of Uttar Pradesh===
+Uttar Pradesh is divided into 75 districts under 18 divisions:
+* Saharanpur
+* Moradabad
+* Bareilly
+* Meerut
+* Aligarh
+* Agra
+* Devipatan
+* Basti
+* Gorakhpur
+* Kanpur
+* Lucknow
+* Ayodhya
+* Azamgarh
+* Jhansi
+* Chitrakoot
+* Prayagraj
+* Varanasi
+* Mirzapur
 == Culture ==
@@ Line 124: / Line 175: @@
 Child health indicators are among the worst in India. Many children die before the age of five, with a high number dying within the first month or the first year of life.
-== Government and Politics ==
+===Tourism===
-* Current Chief Minister: [[Yogi Adityanath]]
+Uttar Pradesh is the top state in India for domestic tourism. In 2021, around 110 million Indian tourists and about 44,000 foreign tourists visited the state. The Taj Mahal alone attracts around 7 million people every year and earns big revenue from ticket sales. The state has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri.
-* Governing party: [[Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)]]
-* Bicameral legislature: [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]] and [[Legislative Council]]
+Religious tourism is very important for the state’s economy. Varanasi is one of the oldest and most sacred cities for Hindus and Jains. Vrindavan is a holy place for followers of Vaishnavism. Sravasti is an important Buddhist site, believed to be where Buddha gave many of his teachings. Ayodhya is considered the birthplace of Lord Rama and is one of the top pilgrimage places for Hindus. Prayagraj hosts the Magh Mela every year on the banks of the Ganges River, and every 12 years the larger Kumbh Mela is held there, attracting millions of pilgrims in one of the biggest gatherings in the world.
-* Sends the highest number of MPs to the [[Lok Sabha]]
+The state also has many important Buddhist sites. Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment, and Kushinagar, where he died, are major pilgrimage centres. Sarnath is also home to the famous Ashoka Pillars and the Lion Capital of Ashoka, which is India’s national emblem.
+Other attractions include Ghazipur, known for its Ghats on the Ganges and the tomb of Lord Cornwallis, maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Jhansi Fort, linked to the Revolt of 1857, is another historic site. The fort’s architecture, with thick walls and bastions, shows a mix of Hindu and Islamic styles.
+== Government and Administration ==
+Uttar Pradesh is governed through a parliamentary system of democracy. It is one of the seven states in India that has a bicameral legislature (two houses) – the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) with 404 elected members, and the Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) with 100 members, where one-third retire every two years. Uttar Pradesh also sends the largest number of MPs to the Indian Parliament, with 80 seats in the Lok Sabha and 31 seats in the Rajya Sabha.
+The Governor is the constitutional head of the state and is appointed by the President of India for five years. The Chief Minister, chosen from the party or alliance with a majority in the Assembly, runs the government with the Council of Ministers. The Governor acts as a ceremonial head, while the Chief Minister and ministers manage daily work. Each department is led by a minister, assisted by senior IAS officers like the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, and Principal Secretary.
+For administration, the state is divided into 18 divisions and 75 districts. Each division is headed by a Divisional Commissioner (IAS), and each district is led by a District Magistrate (IAS), who is responsible for law and order and public services. At the block level, development is handled by a Block Development Officer (BDO). The Uttar Pradesh Police is headed by a Director General of Police (IPS), while each district has a Superintendent of Police (IPS). Forests and wildlife are managed by a Divisional Forest Officer (IFS).
+The judiciary of Uttar Pradesh is headed by the Allahabad High Court in Prayagraj, with a bench in Lucknow. Each district has district and session courts, along with smaller courts at the tehsil level. Judges are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Chief Justice of India and the Governor. The state judiciary has two levels of service – civil judges and magistrates at the lower level, and civil and sessions judges at the higher level.
-== Tourism ==
+Politics in Uttar Pradesh is dominated by four main parties – the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Indian National Congress (INC). The state’s politics is often marked by strong competition, caste-based divisions, and communal tensions. Despite being the home state of eight Prime Ministers, Uttar Pradesh still struggles with many challenges to its development.
-Uttar Pradesh is home to world-famous landmarks:
-* [[Taj Mahal]], [[Agra Fort]] (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
-* [[Fatehpur Sikri]]
-* [[Kashi Vishwanath Temple]], [[Buddhist Circuit]] (Sarnath, Kushinagar)
 == Notable Personalities ==
@@ Line 140: / Line 199: @@
 * [[Indira Gandhi]], [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] – Former Prime Ministers
 * [[Amitabh Bachchan]] – Actor
-* [[Ram Manohar Lohia]], [[Mayawati]], [[Mulayam Singh Yadav]] – Political leaders
+* [[Ram Manohar Lohia]], [[Mayawati]], [[Mulayam Singh Yadav]],[[Akhilesh Yadav]], [[Yogi Adityanath]] – Political leaders
 == See Also ==
 * [[States and Union Territories of India]]
-* [[Hindi Belt]]
 * [[Ganga River]]
-* [[Indian Politics]]
 * [[Ayodhya Ram Mandir]]
 * [[Kumbh Mela]]