Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand

Location of Uttarakhand in India
Capital	Dehradun
Largest city	Dehradun
Official languages	Hindi, Sanskrit
Area	53,483 km²
Population	10,086,292 (2011 census)
Established	9 November 2000
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Vehicle code	UK
Website	Official site

Uttarakhand exists as a northern Indian statewhich occupies the Himalayan region under its previous name of Uttaranchal until 2007. The state shares its borders with Himachal Pradesh to the northwest Tibet (China) to the north Nepal to the east and Uttar Pradesh to the south. The state spans approximately 53,483 square kilometers which constitutes a large part of the Indian Himalayan territory.

Dehradun functions as the main administrative center while Nainital serves as the official judicial center. The state comprises two main areas which are Garhwal and Kumaon and it contains a total of 13 administrative districts. The natural beauty of Uttarakhand combines with its religious importance and its extensive cultural traditions to create its well known identity.

Etymology

The name Uttarakhand exists as a composite term which combines the Sanskrit word "Uttara" that means north and "Khand" which denotes a region or part to form the meaning of "Northern Land". Historical records from ancient texts described the territory of the state as Kedarkhand which referred to the Garhwal region and Manaskhand which referred to the Kumaon region. Hindu scriptures identified the central Himalayan region as an area which held religious value.

History

Ancient Period

Uttarakhand has existed since prehistoric times which archaeologists have proven through their discoveries of stone tools and rock shelters and cave paintings located in Almora. Vedic texts mention that the area existed as part of the ancient Uttarakuru Kingdom.

The Vedic age saw the establishment of human settlements in the area which developed Shaivism and early Buddhist traditions through the presence of Ashokan inscriptions that archaeologists discovered at Kalsi.

The region experienced rule from multiple dynasties throughout its ancient history which included the Kunindas who held the position of its first known rulers and they practiced the religious belief system of Shaivism. The region shows evidence of permanent human settlement and cultural evolution through archaeological discoveries and historical documents.

Medieval Period

Uttarakhand entered its medieval period when multiple dynasties came to power throughout the region. The Katyuri dynasty emerged as the primary ruling power that controlled most of Kumaon and Garhwal from the 4th century until the 14th century. The Katyuris constructed various temples which include Jageshwar and Baijnath that continue to serve as significant Hindu worship destinations.

The territory divided into two main kingdoms after the Katyuri dynasty lost power. The Garhwal Kingdom occupied western territory while the Kumaon Kingdom controlled eastern regions.

The Gorkha Empire of Nepal established its control over the area during the late medieval era after invading Kumaon and Garhwal during the final part of the 18th century. The British forces defeated the Gorkhas after the Anglo-Nepalese War(1814-1816) and established their authority over the territory through the Treaty of Sugauli.

Modern Period

The British administration system took control of Kumaon and Garhwal territories after the British established their dominance over these areas. The British colonial authorities established direct control over various regions while they transformed Garhwal into multiple princely states which included Tehri Garhwal.

Various local rulers from the colonial era such as the leaders of Landhaura and Jhabrera maintained control over the southern parts of the area which includes present-day Haridwar.

The region joined Uttar Pradesh after India became independent in 1947. The political movement for separate statehood lasted over several years until Uttarakhand was established on 9 November 2000. The new state received its first name Uttaranchal which later changed to Uttarakhand in 2007https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/uttarakhand-foundation-day-the-long-struggle-for-the-hill-state-8258545/.

Geography

Uttarakhand which exists as a mountainous state within the Himalayan range features multiple landforms which include its towering mountains and its ice fields and its deep valleys and its waterway systems. The state is divided into two major regions: Garhwal and Kumaon.

Major rivers which include the Ganges and Yamuna begin their courses from the Gangotri and Yamunotri glaciers thus establishing the state as an important ecological area and a sacred religious site.

The total area of the region reaches about 45.4% which consists of forested land whereas only a small area of the region can support farming because of its mountainous terrain.

Climate

Uttarakhand has multiple climate zones which depend on the different altitudinal levels. The lower regions experience a subtropical climate, while the higher Himalayan regions have a cold alpine climate.

The state receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon season and high-altitude areas experience snowfall during the winter months. The hills experience mild summer temperatures while the plains experience higher summer temperatures.

Flora and Fauna

The state of Uttarakhand contains extensive biodiversity since its dense forests cover almost 50 percent of its total land area. The region contains different types of natural vegetation that depend on the elevation, which includes oak and pine and deodar and rhododendron forests and alpine vegetation in the Himalayan mountains. The state supports a wide range of wildlife species which includes Bengal tigers and Asiatic elephants and snow leopards and Himalayan black bears and musk deer. The state of Uttarakhand contains multiple vital protected areas which include Jim Corbett National Park, the oldest national park in India, and Rajaji National Park and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and Valley of Flowers National Park, which UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Administrative Divisions

The administration of Uttarakhand divides its territory into 13 districts which fall under two main divisions called Garhwal and Kumaon. The district system includes Dehradun and Haridwar and Nainital and Almora and Pauri Garhwal and Chamoli and Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal and additional districts. The District Magistrate administers each district while he or she maintains law and order and implements government programs and supervises development projects throughout the district.

Government and Politics

Uttarakhand operates its government through a parliamentary system which mirrors the governance structure of other Indian states because the Governor acts as the constitutional leader while the Chief Minister takes charge of daily government operations. The state government operates a single-chamber Legislative Assembly which elects representatives to both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for national purposes. The government establishes grassroots governance through Panchayati Raj institutions, which serve as essential components for managing rural areas and developing local communities and executing government initiatives that reach out to both villages and remote mountainous areas.

Economy

The service sector serves as the main force driving Uttarakhand's economy which receives essential support from tourism that brings visitors to the state's religious and natural sites. The agricultural sector holds significant importance for the state because its fertile valleys and plains produce rice and wheat and fruits as primary crops. The state possesses vast opportunities for hydroelectric power generation which relies on its swift-moving Himalayan rivers and multiple hydropower facilities help produce energy while driving economic advancement. The traditional sectors of the state maintain their significance yet modern services together with tourism now control the state's economic development.

Culture

Uttarakhand culture displays a rich combination of traditional practices which originated from Garhwal and Kumaon regions, with residents typically recognized as Garhwali or Kumaoni based on their geographic origins. The state showcases its lively folk music and traditional dance performances and Jagar which functions as a sacred musical practice. Local religious customs and festivals plus religious beliefs shape cultural activities, which local artists express through Pahari painting that showcases the region's traditional art style. The people of Uttarakhand maintain their cultural identity through their traditional Himalayan lifestyle, which emphasizes simple living and deep spiritual connections with nature.

Tourism

Uttarakhand which people call "Devabhumi" as the Land of Gods stands as one of India's top pilgrimage sites and tourist attractions. The sacred Char Dham which contains Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath and Badrinath draws millions of visitors who come to worship each year. The main attraction points of the area include Haridwar and Rishikesh which people visit for their spiritual and yoga practices; Valley of Flowers National Park which showcases its Alpine plant life; Nainital which serves as a popular mountain retreat; Mussoorie which people refer to as the "Queen of Hills"; and Jim Corbett National Park which people visit to see wildlife. The state draws millions of visitors who come to see its religious sites and natural landscapes and take part in outdoor activities.

See also

• Nagaland
• India
• Sikkim
• Tripura
• Telangana