Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Map showing the location of Uttar Pradesh
Capital	Lucknow
Largest city	Kanpur
Official languages	Hindi (Additional: Urdu)
Area	240,928 km²
Population	199,812,341 (2011 Census)
Established	24 January 1950
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Vehicle code	UP
Website	Official site

Uttar Pradesh (UP) is a state in northern India. With over 241 million people, it is the most populated state in India and also the most populated region in the world. Its population is larger than all countries except China, United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Uttar Pradesh has 16.5% of India’s population and about 3% of the world’s population.

The state is bordered by Rajasthan in the west, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi in the northwest, Uttarakhand and Nepal in the north, Bihar in the east, and Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand in the south. It is the fourth-largest state in India with an area of 243,286 km² (93,933 sq mi), which is 7.3% of India’s total area. Lucknow is the capital, and Prayagraj is the judicial capital. The state has 18 divisions and 75 districts.

Uttar Pradesh was formed in 1950 after India became a republic. Earlier it was called the United Provinces (1935), which came from the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh (1902), created from the North-Western Provinces and Oudh Province.

The state was once known for sugar production, but now the economy is led by the service industry, which includes tourism, hotels, real estate, insurance, and finance. Uttar Pradesh has the third-largest economy in India, with a GDP of ₹18.63 lakh crore (US$220 billion) and a per capita income of ₹68,810 (US$810). The High Court is in Prayagraj. Politically, UP sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha and 31 members to the Rajya Sabha.

On 9 November 2000, a new state Uttarakhand (earlier called Uttaranchal) was carved out of UP’s Himalayan hill region. The two main rivers, the Ganga and Yamuna, meet at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, an important Hindu pilgrimage place. Other rivers include the Gomti and Sarayu. The state has 6.1% forest cover, 82% cultivable land, and 68.5% net sown area.

People of the state are called Awadhi, Bagheli, Bhojpuri, Brajwasi, Bundeli, or Kannauji, depending on their region. Most people follow Hinduism, followed by Islam. Hindi is the main language and official language, along with Urdu.

Uttar Pradesh has a long history and was home to great empires like the Maurya, Harsha, Gupta, Pala, Delhi Sultanate, and Mughal Empires. In the early 20th century, during the Indian independence movement, the princely states of Ramgadi, Rampur, and Benares were in UP. The state was also a key place in the 1857 revolt against British rule.

Uttar Pradesh has many Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites, as well as historical, natural, and religious tourist places such as Agra, Aligarh, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Kushinagar, Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Vrindavan. The state also has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

History

Prehistory

Modern human hunter-gatherers lived in Uttar Pradesh between 85,000 and 72,000 years ago. Prehistoric tools and remains from the Middle and Upper Paleolithic period (21,000–31,000 years ago) have been found in the state. Evidence of Mesolithic/Microlithic hunter-gatherer settlements was also discovered near Pratapgarh, dating to around 10,550–9,550 BCE.

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

Uttar Pradesh, covering 240,928 square kilometres (93,023 sq mi), is the fourth-largest state in India and is roughly the size of the United Kingdom. It is located in northern India and shares a border with Nepal. The Himalayas are to the north, but most of the state is flat plains. The northern part has the Gangetic Plain, which includes the Ganges-Yamuna Doab, Ghaghra plains, Ganges plains, and the Terai region. The southern part has the smaller Vindhya Range and plateau. The state has hills, valleys, plateaus, and hard rock areas.

The Bhabhar area gradually changes into the Terai, which has tall grass, forests, marshes, and swamps. Rivers in the Bhabhar flow slowly through dense vegetation, and the Terai runs parallel to it in a narrow strip. The alluvial plains are divided into three regions: the eastern region has 14 districts prone to floods and droughts and has high population density, leading to less land per person. The central and western regions are better with more irrigation but sometimes face waterlogging.

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

Uttar Pradesh is often referred to as the "Hindi heartland":

Language and literature

Many texts and hymns of the Vedic literature were written in Uttar Pradesh. Famous Indian writers from the state include Kabir, Ravidas, and Tulsidas, who wrote much of his Ram Charit Manas in Varanasi. The festival of Guru Purnima, also called Vyasa Purnima, celebrates Sage Vyasa’s birthday and the day he is believed to have divided the Vedas.

Hindi became the official language of the state with the Uttar Pradesh Official Language Act of 1951. In 1989, Urdu was added as an additional official language. The state’s languages belong to the Central, East-Central, and Eastern zones of Indo-Aryan languages. Major Hindi dialects in the state include Awadhi, Bagheli, Bundeli, Braj Bhasha, Kannauji, and Hindustani. Bhojpuri, an Eastern Indo-Aryan language, is also spoken in the state.

Music and Dance

Each district of Uttar Pradesh has its own unique music and traditions. Traditional folk music in the state is classified into three types: music passed down orally, music with unknown composers, and music performed according to custom. During the medieval period, two main types of music developed: courtly music, supported in cities like Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lucknow, Jaunpur, Varanasi, and Banda, and religious music from the Bhakti movement, which grew in Mathura, Vrindavan, and Ayodhya.

Popular folk music includes Sohar, sung to celebrate a child’s birth; Kajari, a semi-classical song sung in the rainy season and linked to the Benares gharana; Ghazal, Thumri, and Qawwali, which are popular in Awadh; Rasiya, especially in Braj, celebrating Radha and Krishna’s divine love; and Khayal, a semi-classical form from the Awadh courts. Other forms include Biraha, Chaiti, Chowtal, Alha, and Sawani.

Kathak, a classical dance form, originated in Uttar Pradesh. Ramlila, a traditional folk dance depicting Lord Rama’s life, is performed during festivals like Vijayadashami. Nautanki is a folk theatre from the state that shows historical, mythological, social, and political stories. The Lucknow and Benares gharanas are famous for Kathak dance. Charkula is a popular dance in the Braj region.

Fairs and Festivals

Chhath Puja is the biggest festival in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years in Prayagraj on the Ganges during the month of Maagha (February–March), is another major festival. Lathmar Holi is a local Holi celebration in Barsana near Mathura, taking place before the main Holi festival. Taj Mahotsav, held every year in Agra, showcases the vibrant culture of the Braj region. Ganga Mahotsav is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, fifteen days after Diwali.

Economy

Uttar Pradesh is the fourth-largest economy in India based on net state domestic product (NSDP), with an estimated GDP of ₹14.89 lakh crore (US$180 billion), contributing 8.4% of India’s total GDP. In 2014–15, the state produced 19% of India’s total food grains, and about 70% of the country’s sugar comes from here, making sugarcane the most important cash crop. Uttar Pradesh is the largest sugar-producing state in India.

The state has 359 manufacturing clusters, with cement being the top small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. The Uttar Pradesh Financial Corporation (UPFC), set up in 1954, helps develop small- and medium-scale industries and provides working capital. Private investment in the state between 2012 and 2016 was over ₹25,081 crores. In 2015, the World Bank ranked Uttar Pradesh among the top 10 states in India for ease of doing business, and first among northern states.

Uttar Pradesh’s debt in 2019–20 was 29.8% of its GDP, totaling ₹2.09 lakh crore (US$25 billion) in 2011. The state has not seen double-digit economic growth despite repeated efforts. GDP growth was 7% in 2017–18 and 6.5% in 2018–19. Unemployment rose to 21.5% in April 2020. The state also has the largest number of people migrating out, with nearly 14.4 million (14.7%) leaving according to the 2011 census. Most women migrate due to marriage, while men move for work.

Regional differences are significant. Western Uttar Pradesh is more developed, with higher per capita district income, while eastern districts (Purvanchal) lag due to poor infrastructure and dense population. In 2021–22, the GDDP of Purvanchal was ₹5.37 lakh crore, Western Uttar Pradesh ₹9.44 lakh crore, Bundelkhand ₹99,029.34 crore, and Central Uttar Pradesh ₹3.36 lakh crore. The per capita annual income in eastern districts was ₹12,741, much lower than the state average of ₹17,349.

In 2009–10, the service sector was the largest part of Uttar Pradesh's economy, contributing 44.8% of the state’s GDP. Agriculture, forestry, and tourism contributed 44%, while industry and manufacturing contributed 11.2%. Noida, Meerut, and Agra had the highest per capita incomes, while Lucknow and Kanpur were 7th and 9th, respectively.

During the 11th five-year plan (2007–2012), the state’s GDP grew at an average rate of 7.3%, which was lower than the national average of 15.5%. The per capita GSDP of the state was ₹29,417 (US$350), lower than the national average of ₹60,972 (US$720). Labor efficiency in the state was slightly above the national average. Textiles and sugar refining are major industries employing many workers, and tourism also contributes significantly to the economy.

Transportation

Uttar Pradesh has the largest railway network in India, but in terms of density, it ranks sixth, even though most of the state is flat and has the highest population. In 2015, the state had 9,077 km (5,640 mi) of railway lines. The network is managed mainly by two divisions of Indian Railways – North Central Railway (headquarters in Prayagraj) and North Eastern Railway (headquarters in Gorakhpur). Lucknow and Moradabad are divisional headquarters of Northern Railway. Fast trains like Lucknow Swarna Shatabdi Express and Kanpur Shatabdi Express connect Delhi with Lucknow and Kanpur. The Kanpur Shatabdi was also the first train in India to get German LHB coaches. Important railway stations like Prayagraj Junction, Agra Cantonment, Lucknow Charbagh, Gorakhpur Junction, Kanpur Central, Mathura Junction, and Varanasi Junction are listed among 50 world-class stations in India. Lucknow Metro and Kanpur Metro provide rapid transit service in those cities.

The state also has the largest road network in India. It has 42 national highways with a total length of 4,942 km, which is about 8.9% of all highways in the country. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), set up in 1972, operates 11,238 buses on 2,762 routes, covering 768,065 km daily and earning about ₹16 crore (US$1.9 million) per day. However, many buses are old and unsafe. All cities are linked by state highways, and district headquarters are being connected by four-lane roads. The Agra–Lucknow Expressway, a 302 km long controlled-access highway, is one such project. Uttar Pradesh also has the highest road density in India – 1,027 km per 1,000 km² – and the largest surfaced urban-road network (50,721 km).

In air travel, Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport are the main international airports. A new international airport was opened in Kushinagar, but it has not yet started international flights. The state also has six domestic airports in Agra, Prayagraj, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, and Kanpur, most of which are shared with the Indian Air Force. Another international airport is under construction at Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar, called Noida International Airport.

Sports

In the past, traditional sports like wrestling, swimming, kabaddi, and different local water or track sports were popular in Uttar Pradesh. Some games were made to show martial skills, like using swords or sticks (pata). But today, these sports are mostly played as hobbies or in small local competitions because there is no proper support or modern facilities.

Among modern sports, field hockey is popular, and Uttar Pradesh has produced famous players like Nitin Kumar and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay. But in recent years, cricket has become more popular than hockey. Uttar Pradesh won its first Ranji Trophy in 2006 by beating Bengal. The state also has the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, an international cricket stadium with a seating capacity of about 20,000 people. Wrestling also remains important, with many traditional training schools (akharas) across the state.

The Uttar Pradesh Football Sangh (UPFS) is the main football body of the state. It is connected with the All India Football Federation and manages the state football team. UPFS also sends teams to national-level competitions and controls two district football associations – Aligarh and Kanpur. Similarly, the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association manages badminton in the state and is linked with the Badminton Association of India.

The Buddh International Circuit, located in Greater Noida, hosted India’s first Formula One Grand Prix on 30 October 2011. However, races were held only three times before being stopped due to low attendance and lack of government support. The Uttar Pradesh government treated Formula One as entertainment, not a sport, and imposed heavy taxes, which led to its cancellation.

Transportation

Uttar Pradesh has the largest railway network in India, but in terms of density, it ranks sixth, even though most of the state is flat and has the highest population. In 2015, the state had 9,077 km (5,640 mi) of railway lines. The network is managed mainly by two divisions of Indian Railways – North Central Railway (headquarters in Prayagraj) and North Eastern Railway (headquarters in Gorakhpur). Lucknow and Moradabad are divisional headquarters of Northern Railway. Fast trains like Lucknow Swarna Shatabdi Express and Kanpur Shatabdi Express connect Delhi with Lucknow and Kanpur. The Kanpur Shatabdi was also the first train in India to get German LHB coaches. Important railway stations like Prayagraj Junction, Agra Cantonment, Lucknow Charbagh, Gorakhpur Junction, Kanpur Central, Mathura Junction, and Varanasi Junction are listed among 50 world-class stations in India. Lucknow Metro and Kanpur Metro provide rapid transit service in those cities.

The state also has the largest road network in India. It has 42 national highways with a total length of 4,942 km, which is about 8.9% of all highways in the country. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), set up in 1972, operates 11,238 buses on 2,762 routes, covering 768,065 km daily and earning about ₹16 crore (US$1.9 million) per day. However, many buses are old and unsafe. All cities are linked by state highways, and district headquarters are being connected by four-lane roads. The Agra–Lucknow Expressway, a 302 km long controlled-access highway, is one such project. Uttar Pradesh also has the highest road density in India – 1,027 km per 1,000 km² – and the largest surfaced urban-road network (50,721 km).

In air travel, Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport are the main international airports. A new international airport was opened in Kushinagar, but it has not yet started international flights. The state also has six domestic airports in Agra, Prayagraj, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, and Kanpur, most of which are shared with the Indian Air Force. Another international airport is under construction at Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar, called Noida International Airport.

Education

Uttar Pradesh has a long tradition of education, but in earlier times it was mainly limited to the elite and to religious schools. In ancient periods, education was mostly based on Sanskrit. Later, as different cultures came to the region, knowledge in Pali, Persian, and Arabic was also added. This mix of learning continued through Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim traditions until British colonial rule.

The modern school-to-university system of education in Uttar Pradesh, like in the rest of India, was introduced by Christian missionaries and the British administration. Today, schools in the state are either run by the government or by private trusts. Most schools use Hindi as the medium of teaching, except those affiliated with central boards like CBSE and ICSE, where English is used.

The state follows the 10+2+3 system. After completing secondary school, students usually study two more years in junior college or higher secondary schools, and then they can choose to go for general or professional degree programs. Students generally pick one of three streams – arts, commerce, or science – at this stage.

Despite its long educational tradition, Uttar Pradesh faces several challenges. The spending per student is lower than the national average. The student–teacher ratio is also higher than the national average, which means fewer teachers are available for each class. Teacher absenteeism is a major problem in rural areas, and many teaching positions in government schools remain vacant, including a large number of headmaster and assistant teacher posts.

Healthcare

Uttar Pradesh has both public and private healthcare services. Public healthcare is provided through primary health centres, community health centres, district hospitals, and medical colleges. Even though the state has built a large network of hospitals and clinics, the facilities are still not enough to meet the needs of its huge population.

In recent years, the population has grown much faster than the number of health centres. The smaller sub-centres, which are the first contact points for people, have increased only slightly, while the demand for healthcare has gone up a lot. The state also faces problems such as a shortage of doctors and nurses, high cost of treatment, lack of medicines and equipment, and poor planning. Because of this, many private hospitals have come up, but they are often expensive.

There are thousands of government hospitals in rural and urban areas, but they serve a very large number of people. On average, one hospital serves nearly fifty thousand people. Out-of-pocket medical expenses in the state are the highest in the country, meaning people have to spend a lot from their own pockets for treatment.

The health situation in Uttar Pradesh is very serious. A baby born in the state is expected to live fewer years than in most neighbouring states. The state reports the highest share of deaths from diseases like typhoid, tuberculosis, and even cancer. Maternal health is also poor, with many women unable to get proper care during pregnancy. A large number of women still give birth at home, and most of these home deliveries are unsafe.

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.

Tourism

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.

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.

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.

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.

Notable Personalities

• Jawaharlal Nehru – First Prime Minister of India
• Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee – Former Prime Ministers
• Amitabh Bachchan – Actor
• Ram Manohar Lohia, Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav,Akhilesh Yadav, Yogi Adityanath – Political leaders

See Also

• States and Union Territories of India
• Ganga River
• Ayodhya Ram Mandir
• Kumbh Mela