Uttar Pradesh

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Uttar Pradesh
U.P.

State

Coat of arms

Location of Uttar Pradesh in India

Map of Uttar Pradesh

Coordinates (Lucknow): Country Region India

26.85N 80.91ECoordinates:

26.85N 80.91E

Awadh, Baghelkhand, Braj,Bundelkhand, Purvanchal,RohilKhand, IndoGangetic Plain Modern : 1805 (as Ceded and Conquered Provinces. ) Summary [show] Lucknow Kanpur 70 total

Established History Capital Largest City Districts Government Body Governor Chief Minister Legislature Parliamentary constituency High Court Area Total Area rank Population (2011)[1] Total

Government of India,Government of Uttar Pradesh Banwari Lal Joshi Akhilesh Yadav (SP) Bicameral (404 + 108 seats) 80 Allahabad High Court

243,286 km2 (93,933 sq mi) 5th

199,581,000

 Rank Density Demonym Time zone UN/LOCODE Vehicle registration HDI HDI rank Literacy

1st 820/km2 (2,100/sq mi) Uttarpradeshi, UPite, UPian,North Indian, Uttar Bharatiya IST (UTC+05:30) IN-UP UP 01XX

0.490 (low) 32nd (2005) 69.72% (29th) 79.24% (male) 59.26% (female) Hindi, Urdu

Official language Website

upgov.nic.in

Uttar Pradesh /tr prd/ (literally meaning "Northern Province"), often abbreviated U.P. and formerly known as the United Provinces, is astate located in the northwestern part of India. It was created on 1 April 1937 with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and was renamed Uttar Pradesh in 1950. The administrative capital is Lucknow. On 9 November 2000, the Himalayan portion of the state, comprising theGarhwal and Kumaon divisions and Haridwar district, was formed into a new state now known as Uttarakhand. Uttar Pradesh is bordered by Rajasthan to the west, Haryana and Delhito the northwest, Uttarakhand and the country of Nepal to the north,Bihar to the east, Jharkhand to the southeast, and Madhya Pradesh to the southwest. It covers 93,933 square miles (243,290 km2), equal to 6.88% of the total area of India, and is the fifth largest Indian state by area. With over 200 million inhabitants as of 2011, it is the largest Indian state by population. It comprises 70 districts with Hindi being the official and most widely spoken language. Uttar Pradesh is the second largest Indian state by economy, with a GDP of 103.5 crore (US$18.73 million).

Agriculture forms a significant part of the state's economy. Though long known for sugar production, the economy is now dominated by the services industry. The state's economic progress is exemplified by its advancement in telecommunication systems. The history of Uttar Pradesh dates back to the paleolithic era, and it was home to some of the most powerful empires of ancient and medieval India, including the Magadha, Nanda, Mauryan, Sunga, Kushan, Gupta,Gurjara, Rashtrakuta, Pala and Mughal empires. The two major rivers of the state, the Ganga and Yamuna, flow eastward to their confluence inPrayag and merge with the Bay of Bengal.

It has become one of India's largest tourist destinations. Perhaps its most famous destination, the Taj Mahal, draws over three million visitors a year. Other prominent tourist and historical destinations are Varanasi,Piprahwa, Kaushambi, Ballia, Shravasti, Kushinagar, Lucknow,Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Allahabad, Vrin davan and Meerut.

Contents [hide] 1 History o 1.1 Modern-colonial

2 Geography o 2.1 Climate

3 Flora and fauna 4 Regions and Cities 5 Demographics 6 Government and politics 7 Crime o 7.1 Terror attacks

8 Economy 9 Transportation 10 Sports 11 Education 12 Tourism 13 Culture o o o o 13.1 Language and Literature 13.2 Music and dance 13.3 Fairs & Festivals 13.4 Cuisine

14 Media 15 See also 16 References 17 External links

[edit]History
Main article: History of Uttar Pradesh

Archeological finds have indicated the presence of Stone Age Homo sapiens hunter-gatherers in Uttar Pradesh[2][3][4] between 8511 and 728 thousand years old. Other pre-historical finds have included Middle and Upper Paleolithic artifacts dated to 2131 thousand years old[5] andMesolithic/Microlithic hunter-gatherer's settlement, near Pratapgarh, from around 105509550 BC. Villages with domesticated cattle, sheep, and goats and evidence of agriculture began as early as 6000 BC, and gradually developed between c. 4000 and 1500 BC beginning with theIndus Valley Civilization and Harappa Culture to the Vedic period; extending into the Iron Age.[6][7][8]

Rama portrayed as exile in the forest, accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana
The kingdom of Kosala, in theMahajanapada era, was located within the regional boundaries of modern day Uttar Pradesh. According to Hindu legend, the divine king Rama of the Ramayana epic reigned in Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala.Krishna, another divine king of Hindu legend, who plays a key role in theMahabharata epic and is revered as the eighth reincarnation (Avatar) of the Hindu god Vishnu, is said to have been born in the city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh. The aftermath of the Mahabharata yuddh is believed to have taken place in the area between the Upper Doab and Delhi, (in what was Kuru Mahajanapada), during the reign of the Pandava king Yudhisthira. The kingdom of the Kurus[9] corresponds to the Black and Red Ware and Painted Gray Ware culture and the beginning of the Iron Age in North-west India, around 1000 BC. Most of the invaders of North India passed through the Gangetic plains of what is today Uttar Pradesh. Control over this region was of vital importance to the power and stability of all of India's major empires, including the Maurya (320200 BC), Kushan (100250 CE), Gupta (350600 CE), and Gurjara-Pratihara (6501036 CE) empires. Following the Hunsinvasions that broke the Gupta empire, the Ganges-Yamuna Doab saw the rise of Kannauj. During the reign ofHarshavardhana (590647 CE), the Kannauj empire reached its zenith. It spanned from Punjab in the north and Gujarat in the west to Bengal in the east and Orissa in the south. It included parts of central India, north of the Narmada River and it encompassed the entire Indo-Gangetic plain. Many communities in various parts of India claim descent from the migrants of Kannauj. Soon after

Harshavardhana's death, his empire disintegrated into many kingdoms, which were invaded and ruled by the Gurjara-Pratihara empire, which challenged Bengal's Pala Empire for control of the region.[10][11]

Akbar the Great is widely regarded as the "the powerful MuslimRajput"

Later, in the Mughal era, Uttar Pradesh became the heartland of the vast empire ofHindustan, which is used to this day as an alternate name for India. Mughal emperors Babur and Humanyun ruled from Delhi. In 1540 an Afghan, Sher Shah Suri, took over the reins of Uttar Pradesh after defeating the Mughal king Humanyun. Sher Shah and his son Islam Shah ruled Uttar Pradesh from their capital at Gwalior.[12] After the death of Islam Shah Suri, his prime minister Hemu became the de facto ruler of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and the western parts of Bengal. He was bestowed the title of Vikramaditya at his coronation orRajyabhishake at Purana Quila in Delhi and was titled as Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya. Hemu died in the Second Battle of Panipat, and Uttar Pradesh came under Emperor Akbar's rule.[13] Akbar ruled from Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. At its zenith, the Mughal Empire, which covered almost the entire Indian subcontinent (including present day Afghanistan, Pakistanand Bangladesh), was ruled from Delhi, Agra, and Allahabad during different periods.[14]

[edit]Modern-colonial
Starting from Bengal in the later half of the 18th century, a series of battles for north Indian lands finally gave the British East India Company accession over the state's territories.[15]Following the British victory in the Second Anglo-Maratha War, Daulat Rao Sindhia of the Maratha Empire signed theTreaty of SurjiAnjangaon which ceded to the British the Ganges-Jumna Doab, Delhi, and parts of Bundelkhand and Braj.[16] Ajmer and Jaipur kingdoms were also included in this northern territory, which was christened the "North-Western Provinces" (of Agra). Although UP later became the fifth largest state of India, NWPA was one of the smallest states of the British Indian empire.[17] Its capital shifted twice between Agra and Allahabad.[18] Due to dissatisfaction with British rule, a serious rebellion erupted in various parts of North India; Meerut cantonment's sepoy, Mangal Pandey, is widely credited as its starting point. It came to be known

as the Indian Rebellion of 1857. After the revolt failed the British attempted to divide the most rebellious regions by reorganising the administrative boundaries of the region, splitting the Delhi region from NWFP of Agra and merging it with Punjab, while the Ajmer- Marwar region was merged with Rajputana and Oudh was incorporated into the state. The new state was called the 'North Western Provinces of Agra and Oudh', which in 1902 was renamed as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. It was commonly referred to as the United Provinces or its acronym UP.[19][20] In 1920, the capital of the province was shifted from Allahabad to Lucknow. The high court continued to be at Allahabad, but a bench was established at Lucknow. Allahabad continues to be an important administrative base of today's Uttar Pradesh and has several administrative headquarters.[21] Uttar Pradesh continued to be central to Indian politics and was especially important in modern Indian history as a hotbed of the Indian independence movement. Nationally known figures such as Chandra Shekhar Azad were among the leaders of the movement in Uttar Pradesh. The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was formed at the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress on 11 April 1936, with the legendary nationalist Swami Sahajanand Saraswati elected as its first President,[22] in order to address the longstanding grievances of the peasantry and mobilise them against the zamindarilandlords attacks on their occupancy rights, thus sparking the Farmers movements in India.[23][24] During the Quit India Movement of 1942, Ballia district overthrew the colonial authority and installed an independent administration under Chittu Pandey. Ballia became known as "Baghi Ballia" (Rebel Ballia) for this significant role in India's freedom movement.[25]

[edit]Geography
Main article: Geography of Uttar Pradesh

A part of the Gangetic Plain

Uttar Pradesh, with a total area of 243,290 square kilometres (93,935 sq mi), is India's fifth largest state in terms of area. It is situated on the northern spout of India and shares an international boundary with Nepal. The Himalayas border the state on the north,[26] but the plains that cover most of the state are distinctly different from those high mountains.[27] The larger Gangetic Plain region is in the north; it includes the Ganges-

Yamuna Doab, the Ghaghra plains, the Ganges plains and the Terai.[28] The smaller Vindhya Range and plateau region is in the south.[29] It is characterised by hard rock strata and a varied topography of hills, plains, valleys and plateaus. In addition, the area is fairly arid. The state has more than 32 large and small rivers; of them, the Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Betwa, and Ghaghara are larger and of religious importance in Hinduism.[30] Cultivation is done under intensive soil.[31] The valley areas have fertile and rich soil which results intensive cultivation on terraced hill slopes, but irrigation facilities are deficient. [32] The Siwalik Range which forms the southern foothills of theHimalayas, slopes down in to a boulder bed called 'bhadhar'.[33] The transitional belt running along the entire length of the state is called the terai and bhabhar area. It has rich forests, cutting across it are innumerable streams which swell into raging torrents during the monsoon.[34]

[edit]Climate

Monsoon clouds over Lucknow

Main article: Climate of Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh has a humid temperate climate and experiences four seasons. The winter in January and February is followed by summer between March and May and the monsoon season between June and September.[35] Summers are extreme with temperatures fluctuating anywhere between 0 C and 50 C in parts of the state. The Gangetic plain varies from semiarid to sub-humid. The mean annual rainfall ranges from 650 mm in the southwest corner of the state to 1000 mm in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state.[36] The climate of the Vindhya Range and plateau is subtropical with a mean annual rainfall between 10001200 mm, most of which comes during the monsoon. Typical summer months are from March to June, with maximum temperatures ranging from 30 to 38 C (86 to 100 F). There is low relative humidity of around 20% and dust-laden winds blow throughout the season.

[hide]Climate data for Uttar Pradesh Month Average high C (F) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

29.9 31.9 35.4 37.7 36.9 31.7 28.4 27.4 29.4 31.4 30.1 28.9 31.59 (85.8) (89.4) (95.7) (99.9) (98.4) (89.1) (83.1) (81.3) (84.9) (88.5) (86.2) (84.0) (88.87)

Average low C (F) Precipitation mm (inches) Avg. precipitation days

11.0 12.1 15.8 19.9 22.4 22.9 22.2 21.6 20.8 18.5 14.4 11.5 17.76 (51.8) (53.8) (60.4) (67.8) (72.3) (73.2) (72.0) (70.9) (69.4) (65.3) (57.9) (52.7) (63.96) 0 (0) 0.1 3 2 11 40 138 163 129 155 68 28 4 741 (0.12) (0.08) (0.43) (1.57) (5.43) (6.42) (5.08) (6.1) (2.68) (1.1) (0.16) (29.17) 0.3 0.3 1.1 3.3 10.9 17.0 16.2 10.9 5.0 2.4 0.3 67.8

Mean monthly sunshine hours 291.4 282.8 300.7 303.0 316.2 186.0 120.9 111.6 177.0 248.0 270.0 288.3 2,895.9 Source: [37]

[edit]Flora

and fauna

See also: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and Dudhwa National Park

State symbols of Uttar Pradesh

State animal

Swamp deer[38]

State bird

Sarus crane

State tree

Saal

State flower

Palash

State Dance

Kathak

State Sport

Field hockey

view of the Terai region

Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is found in the Ganges river

The state has an abundance of natural resources.[39] As of 2011, recorded forest area in the state is 16,583 km2 (6,403 sq mi) which is about 6.88% of the state's geographical area.[40]In spite of rapid deforestation and poaching of wildlife, a diverse flora and fauna continue to exist in the state. Several species of trees, large and small mammals, reptiles, and insects are found in the belt of temperate upper mountainous forests. Medicinal plants are found in the wild[41] and are also grown in plantations. The Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands support cattle. Moist deciduoustrees grow in the upper Gangetic plain, especially along its riverbanks. This plain supports a wide variety of plants and animals. The Ganges and its tributaries are the habitat of large and small reptiles, amphibians, fresh-water fish, and crabs.Scrubland trees such as the babool and animals such as the chinkara are found in the arid Vindhyas.[42][43] Tropical dry deciduous forests are found in all parts of the plains. Since much sunlight reaches the ground, shrubs and grasses are also abundant.[44] Large tracts of these forests have been cleared for cultivation. Tropical thorny forests, consisting of widely scattered thorny trees, mainly babool are mostly found in the southwestern parts of the state.[45]These forests are confined to areas which have low annual rainfall (50 70 cm), a mean annual temperature of 25-27C and low humidity (less than 47%). Uttar Pradesh is known for its extensive avifauna.[46] The most common birds which are found in the state are doves,peacocks, junglefowl, black partridge, house sparrows, songbirds, blue jays, parakeets, quails, bulbuls, comb ducks,kingfishers, woodpeckers, snipes, and parrots. Bird sanctuaries in the state include Bakhira Sanctuary, National Chambal Sanctuary, Chandra Prabha Sanctuary, Hastinapur Sanctuary, Kaimoor Sanctuary, and Okhla Sanctuary.[47]

Other animals in the state include reptiles such as lizards, cobras, kraits, and gharials. Among the wide variety of fishes, the most common ones are mahaseer and trout. Some animal species in Uttar Pradesh have gone extinct in recent years, while others, like the lion from the Gangetic Plain and the rhinoceros from the Terai region, have become endangered.[48]Many species are vulnerable to poaching despite regulation by the government.[49]

[edit]Regions

and Cities

Main articles: Divisions of Uttar Pradesh and Districts of Uttar Pradesh See also: Western Uttar Pradesh, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Central Uttar Pradesh

Divisions of Uttar Pradesh

The state of Uttar Pradesh consists of 75 districts, which are grouped into eighteen divisions: Uttar Pradesh has been divided into 75 districts under 18 divisions.[50] The 18 divisions of Uttar Pradesh are as listed below.

1. Saharanpur 2. Moradabad 3. Bareilly 4. Lucknow 5. Devipatan 6. Basti 7. Gorakhpur 8. Meerut 9. Aligarh 10. Agra

11. Kanpur 12. Faizabad 13. Azamgarh 14. Jhansi 15. Chitrakoot 16. Allahabad 17. Varanasi 18. Mirzapur

This Indian state has more metropolitan cities than any other state in India.[51][52] The absolute urban population of the state is 44.4 million, which constitutes the second largest share of urban population of India (11.8%).[53] As per 2011 census, there are 15 urban agglomerations with a population greater than 500,000.[54] There are 14 municipal corporations, while Noida is specially administered by a statuary authority.[55]

[edit]Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Uttar Pradesh

All Saints Cathedral, church situated in Allahabad

[show]Population Growth

Population Growth of the Uttar Pradesh over the previous years

Uttar Pradesh has a combination of a large population and a high population growth rate. During the decade from 1991 to 2001 its population increased by over 25.8%.[56] Uttar Pradesh is also the most populous state in India, with a population of 199,581,477 million people as of 1 March 2011.[57] The population density is 689 people per km2, which is much higher than that of many other states in the country.[58] The sex ratio as of 2011, at 898 women to 1000 men, is lower than the national figure of 933.[59] As of the 2001 Indian census, about 80% of Uttar Pradesh's population is Hindu, whileMuslims make up around 18.5% of the population. The remainder consist of Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, and Jains.[60] Most people in Uttar Pradesh speak a dialect of Hindustani, which in written form is referred to as Urdu and Hindi.[61][62]

In addition to Hindustani, a large number of other dialects exit. Five distinct dialect regions have been identified. Thewestern part of the state, Rohilkhand and the upper Doab, is home to the speakers of Khari Boli. The lower Doab, which is referred as Braj Bhumi, or the land of Braj, is home to the speakers of Braj Bhasha. Further south, the Bundelkhandregion people speaks Bundelkhandi. In central Uttar Pradesh, people speak the Awadhi dialect and Bhojpuri is spoken in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh.[63][64]
Metropolitan Areas of Uttar Pradesh is being considered for deletion. The template Largest

Largest metropolitan areas in Uttar Pradesh by population (2011 Census)

Name Kanpur Ghaziabad Varanasi Allahabad Aligarh Saharanpur Noida Jhansi Region Awadh Harit Pradesh Purvanchal Purvanchal Harit Pradesh Harit Pradesh Harit Pradesh Bundelkhand Population 2,920,067 2,358,525 1,435,113 1,216,719 909,559 703,345 642,381 549,391 Name Lucknow Agra Meerut Bareilly Moradabad Gorakhpur Firozabad Muzaffarnagar Region Awadh Harit Pradesh Harit Pradesh Harit Pradesh Harit Pradesh Purvanchal Harit Pradesh Harit Pradesh

Pop

2,90

1,74

1,42

97

88

69

60

49

[edit]Government

and politics

Main article: Government of Uttar Pradesh See also: Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly election, 2012

Allahabad High Court is the fourth oldest high court of India.

Since Uttar Pradesh sends the largest number of legislators to the national Parliament, it is often considered to be one of the most important states with respect to Indian politics.[65] The state contributes 80 seats to Lok Sabha and 34 seats to Rajya Sabha of the Indian Parliament.[66][67] The Council of Ministers reports to the Legislative Assembly. Uttar Pradesh has been called India's under-achiever, because it has provided India with eight prime ministers while remaining a poor state.[68] The state's legislative body is divided into two significant parts: Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad[69] and Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.[70] The state is governed through a parliamentary system of representative democracy, a feature the state shares with other Indian states. The Governor is the head of state and is appointed by the President of India. The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Legislative Assembly is appointed as the Chief Minister by the Governor, and the Council of Ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. In the 2012 election, the largest number of seats went to the Samajwadi Party with 224 seats.[71] At the local level, the state has a large number of village councils (panchayats), which are similar to those found in other Indian states. The administration in each district is headed by a Deputy Commissioner who belongs to the Indian Administrative Service and is assisted by a number of officers belonging to state services. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service and assisted by the officers of the Uttar Pradesh Police Service, is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and related issues in each district. The Deputy Conservator of Forests, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service, also serves the government. Sectoral development in the districts is looked after by the district head of each development department such as Public Works Department, Health, Education, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, etc. The judiciary in the state consists of the Allahabad High Court in Allahabad, district and session courts in each district and lower courts and judges at the taluk level.[72]

[edit]Crime

According to the crime data of Uttar Pradesh, obtained from the National Crime Records Bureau, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of kidnapping and abduction cases, dowry deaths, incidences of violent crime, and SLL crime rate for any state in India.[73] In 2011, alone 4,960 murder cases were registered in Uttar Pradesh along with 2,955 kidnapping and abduction cases. As per the National Crime Records Bureau, the state had a 12.5% share in all kinds of crimes across the country.[74] However, the value of human development index in Uttar Pradesh has steadily increased over time.[75][76] As of today, Uttar Pradesh has the second highest strength of Civil police (107840) accounting for 9.5% of the total civil police in the country.[77][78]

[edit]Terror

attacks

Main articles: 2006 Varanasi bombings, 2007 Uttar Pradesh bombings, and 2010 Varanasi bombing See also: Demolition of Babri Masjid

Ghat on the Ganges, where 2010 Varanasi bombing had occurred

Uttar Pradesh has been a preferred target for many terrorist groups supported by organizations in Pakistan. Over the past few years there have been a series of attacks, including explosions in a landmark holy place, a court and a temple. The2006 Varanasi bombings were a series of bombings that occurred across the Hinduholy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, 7 March 2006. At least 28 people were reported to have been killed and as many as 101 others were injured. [79] The blasts occurred simultaneously shortly after 18:00 IST. The first blast took place at 18:20 in the crowded Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple near the Banaras Hindu University.[80][80] Other blasts followed at the Varanasi Cantonment Railway Stationnear the waiting area next to the travel office. Initially, another blast was reported inside the stationary Shivganga Express bound for Delhi.[81] Later, on 23 November 2007, in the afternoon, within a span of 25 minutes six consecutive serial blasts occurred in Lucknow, Varanasi and Faizabad courts, in which reportedly 28 people were killed and several others injured.[82][83] The blasts came a week after the Uttar Pradesh police along with central security agencies busted Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists who had planned to abduct Rahul Gandhi. A known group Indian Mujahidinhas claimed responsibility of these blasts.[84] This group apparently sent an email to some private TV channels just five minutes before the blasts.[85] The first blast occurred in Varanasi civil court and collectorate

premises between 13:05 and 13:07 pm. Two successive blasts occurred in Faizabad district court around 13:12 and 13:15, closely followed by one at Lucknow at 13:32. Bombs were explicitly targeted to the lawyers who were working in courts premises at these cities.[86] On 7 December 2010, another blast had occurred at Sheetla Ghat, adjacent to the main Dashashwamedh Ghat, in which reportedly more than 38 people were killed and several others injured.[87] The blast occurred a day after the anniversary of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, in which a mosque was demolished at Ayodhya leading to nationwide religious riots killing over 2,000 people.[88]

[edit]Economy
Main article: Economy of Uttar Pradesh See also: List of conglomerates in Uttar Pradesh

Roadside vendors in a town. A large proportion of residents are employed in informal sector. Net State Domestic Product at Factor Cost at Current Prices (200405 Base)[89] figures in crores of Indian Rupees Year 20042005 20052006 20062007 20072008 20082009 20092010 Net State Domestic Product 229,074 256,699 294,031 332,352 384,718 453,020

Agriculture is the leading occupation in Uttar Pradesh. Wheat is the state's principal food crop & Sugarcane is the state's commercial crop. About 70% country sugar is produced from Uttar Pradsh. Rice, potato, jute and sugarcane are the top five crops of the state.[90] In terms net state domestic product (NSDP), Uttar Pradesh holds second largest economy (20092010) status in India, with an NSDP of 453.020 crore (US$82 million),

behindMaharashtra ( 817.891 crore (US$148.04 million)).[91] State industries are localised in the Kanpur region, the fertile-rich purvanchal lands and Noida region. TheMughalsarai is home to a number of major locomotives work plants. Manufacturing industries playing an important economic role are engineering products, electronics, electrical equipment, cables, steel, leather, textiles, jewellery, frigates, automobiles, railway coaches, and wagons. Largest number of small-scale industrial units are situated in Uttar Pradesh, with 12 percent of over 2.3 million units. Lucknow the World famous dress-manufacturing centre in the country, with strong auto-mobiles, engineering and chemical industries. Agra is known for its handicrafts, and gold jewellery. Kanpur is the largest shoe-manufacturing centre in the India. Uttar Pradesh Financial Corporation abbreviated as "UPFC" was established in the year 1954 under the SFCs Act1951 mainly to develop small & medium scale industries in the state.[92] UPFC provides financial assistance to new/existing units going in for diversification, modernization, expansion for acquisition of fixed assets such as land, building,plant and machinery.[93] Corporation also provide working capital to existing units with sound track record and also to new units under single window scheme.[94] At present due to financial constraints, and directions from state govt, lending activities have been suspended except for State Government Schemes.[95] Nevertheless, unemployment, corruption, and an inconsistent electricity supply remain among the major problems of the state. The state also has "marked income inequality".

Corenthum Business Park inNoida

In 200910, the tertiary sector of the economy (service industries) was the largest contributor to the gross domestic product of the state, contributing 44.8% of the state domestic product compared to 44% from primary sector (agriculture, forestry, tourist) and 11.2% from secondary sector (industrial and manufacturing).[96][97] During the 11th five-year plan (20072012), the average gross state domestic product (GSDP) growth rate was 7.28%, lower than 15.5%, the average for all states of the country.[98][99] The states per capita GSDP at current prices in 200910 was national per capita GSDP of 109.770 crore (US$19.87 million), lower than the

130.2 crore (US$23.57 million).[100] The state's total financial debt stood at

200.009 crore (US$36.2 million) as of 2011.[101] Labour efficiency is higher at an index of 26 than the national average of 25. The economy also benefits from the state's tourist industry.[102] The state is attracting foreign direct investment which has mostly come in the software and electronics fields; Noida is becoming a major hub for the Information technology (IT) industry. Sonebhadra, a district in eastern Uttar Pradesh, has large-scale industries; its southern region, known as the "Energy Capital Of

India".[103] Notably, many corporate companies are now headquartered in Noida include Samsung, LG, FIAT, Ford, Zee News, NDTV, TV Today, CNNIBN,CNBC, newsX, Alstom, Ericsson, United Bank of India, Allahabad Bank, UPRVUNL, Hindalco, Aditya Birla Group.

[edit]Transportation
Main articles: List of state highways in Uttar Pradesh, List of airports in Uttar Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation

An aerial view of the Yamuna Expressway

Lucknow Shatabdi near New Delhi

The state has a large, multimodal transportation system with the largest road network in the country. [104] The state is well connected to its nine neighboring states and almost all other parts of India through National Highway which are intended to facilitate medium and long distance inter-city passenger and freight traffic across the country. It boasts 42 National Highways, with a total length of 4,942 km (9.6% of the total NH length in India). UPSRTC was established in 1972 to provide an economical, reliable and comfortable transport in the state with connecting services to adjoining states.[105] All cities are connected to state highways.The State Highways are supposed to carry the traffic along major centres within the State. Other District Roads and Village Roads provide villages accessibility to meet their social needs as also the means to transport agriculture produce from village to nearby markets. Major District Roads provide the secondary function of linkage between main roads and rural roads.[106] Uttar Pradesh has the seventh-highest road density in India,

(1,027 km per 1000 km2as of 2002) and the largest surfaced urban-road network in the country (50,721 km as of 2002). The National Golden Quadrilateral of India is passes through Jhansi, Agra, Kanpur, Allahabad and Varanasi.[107] With an existing expressway between Lucknow and Kanpur, new expressways are being built between Agra & Noida and between Noida & Ballia, known as Yamuna Expressway and Ganga Expresswayrespectively.[108] The state has established the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority to develop seven new expressways.[109] The state has excellent civil aviation infrastructure with six domestic airports located at Agra, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi including two international airports, Chaudhary Charan Singh international airport, Lucknow and Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi.[110] The state has also proposed to set up Taj international airport in the DelhiNCR region.[111] A stretch of the Ganges from Allahabad to Haldia has been declared as National Waterway(NW)-I; 600 km of NW-I flows through Uttar Pradesh.[112] The state has largest railway network in the country. As 0f 2011, the total railway route length in Uttar Pradesh is around 8,546 km (5,310 mi) and the sixth-largest railway density.[113] Allahabad is the headquarter of North Central Railway.[114]On the other hand, Gorakhpur is the headquarter of another important railway zone called North Eastern Railway.[115][116] Lucknow Swarna Shatabdi Express is the second fastest shatabdi train that connects the Indian capitalNew Delhi to Lucknow, the capital of the state. This was the first train in India to get the new German coaches.[117] The railway stations of Lucknow NR, Kanpur Central, Varanasi JN, Agra Cantt and Mathura JN are included in the list of 50 world-class railway stations by Indian Railways in its annual budget.[118]

[edit]Sports
See also: Indian Grand Prix and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association

The Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan chand

Presently, common sports of Uttar Pradesh are of two distinct genre: the Traditional Sports and the modern sports of mainly European origin. State had produced Olympian shooter Nawab Mian, International Volley ball player Sanjiv Balian, International Wrestler Anuj.[119]Traditional sports,now played mostly as a past time, include wrestling, swimming, kabaddi and track- or water-sports played according to local traditional rules and without use of modern gears; some times, display of martial skills using a sword or Pata (stick) etc. form the basis of sports.[120] Due to lack of organised patronage and requisite facilities, these sports are surviving mostly as individuals' hobbies or local competitive events. Modern sports viz. the indoor, field and track games are popular, especially among theeducated class, but the State has yet to attain all-round national standing in most of them.Field hockey is very popular and Uttar Pradesh has produced some of the finest players in India.[121][122] Indian Hockey lagend Dhyan Chand was born in Allahabad, United Provinces. In 1936, Adolf Hitler, the Chancellor of Germany, was so impressed by Indian hockey player Dhyan Chand's performance in the Berlin Olympic hockey finals that he purportedly offered to elevate Lance Naik Dhyan Chand to the post of Field Marshal in the German Army, so that he will play at Germanys side. However Chand had declined the offer.[123] Cricket has become more popular than field hockey. Uttar Pradesh won its first Ranji Trophy tournament in February 2006, beating Bengal in the final.[124] It can also boast of its 3 or 4 players normally finding a place in the national side.Green Park Stadium, Kanpur is the only one internationally recognised cricket stadium in the state and has witnessed some of India's most famous victories. Faizabad Sports Complex is another sports venue in Uttar Pradesh which includesFaizabad International Sports Stadium.[125] Greater Noida Cricket Stadium is another newly built international cricket stadium.[126] Buddh International Circuit hosted hugely successful Indias inaugural F1 Grand Prix on 30 October 2011.[127] The 5.14 km long Circuit has been designed by world-renowned German architect and racetrack designer, Herman Tilke, to compete other world-class race circuits viz. Malaysia, Bahrain, China, Turkey, Indonesia, the UAE, South Africa, South Korea and the US.[128]

[edit]Education
Main article: Education in Uttar Pradesh See also: List of institutions of higher education in Uttar Pradesh

Faculty Building, IIT Kanpur

The main building of JRHU with the Indian national flag hoisted
Uttar Pradesh has a long tradition of learning, although it was, in the past, primarily confined to the elite class and religious schools.[129]Sanskrit-based learning formed the major part of education from the Vedic to the Gupta periods. It was coupled later with Pali body of knowledge and a store of ancient-to-medieval learnings inPersian and Arabic languages. These formed the core of Hindu-Buddhist-Muslim education until the rise of British colonialism.[130] The present schools-to-university system of education owes its inception and development in the state (as in the rest of the country) to foreign Christian missionaries and theBritish colonial administration.[131] Schools in the state are either managed by the government or by private trusts. Hindi is used as a medium of instruction in most of the schools except the schools which are affiliated to the CBSE or Council forICSE boards.[132] Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing secondary school, students typically enroll for 2 years in ajunior college, also known as pre-university, or in schools with a higher secondary facility affiliated with the Uttar Pradesh Board of High School and Intermediate Education or any central board. Students choose from one of three streams, namely liberal arts, commerce or science. Upon completing the required coursework, students may enroll in general or professional degree programs. The Literacy rate of the state according to the 2011 Census is 69.70%.[133] While the literacy rate for males is at 79.20%, it is 59.30% for the females. This literacy rate is below the national average of 74.04%.[134] In 2001, literacy rate in Uttar Pradesh stood at 56.27%, of which, male and female percentages were 67.30% and 43.00% respectively.[135] Child sex ratio of Uttar Pradesh is 899 females per 1000 males.[136]

IIT (BHU) Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh has more than 30 universities[137] including 4 central universities, 20state universities, 8 deemed universities, 2 IITs one in Kanpur other in Varanasi, 1 IIMin Lucknow, 1 NIT in Allahabad and several polytechnics, engineering colleges andindustrial training institutes.[138] Prestigious institutes like Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur,[139] Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow and Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technologyare known worldwide for their quality education and research in the respective fields.[140] The presence of such institutions, provides the students of the state with ample opportunities for higher education.[141][142] Banaras Hindu University,Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Aligarh Muslim University, University of Allahabad, Indian Veterinary Research InstituteBareilly, IMT Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Technical University, M.J.P. Rohilkhand University, Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University and King George's Medical University are some of the other universities in Uttar Pradesh which offer courses and research options for students.[143] The Integral University, a state level institution, was established by Uttar Pradesh Government to provide education in different technical, applied sciences and other disciplines.[144] Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies was also founded as an autonomous organization by the union ministry of culture. These institutions have played a pioneering role in the development of a modern education system in the state. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University is the only university established exclusively for the disabled, in India and in the world.[145]

[edit]Tourism
Main article: Tourism in Uttar Pradesh See also: Kumbh Mela and Taj Mahal

A procession of Akharas marching over a makeshift bridge over theGanges river, Kumbh Mela atPrayag, 2001.

The Taj Mahal a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts a large number of tourists from overseas.
Uttar Pradesh ranks first in domestic tourist arrivals.[146] Owing to its rich and varied topography, vibrant culture and captivating festivities, monuments, ancient places of worship and viharas. Uttar Pradesh offers immense tourism delights and an endless array of attractions to visitors coming to the state.[147] The state attracts large number of visitors, both national and international; with more than 71 million domestic tourists. [148] Thousands gather at Allahabad to take part in theMagh Mela festival, which is held on the banks of the Ganges.[149] This festival is organised on a larger scale every 12th year and is called the Kumbha Mela, where over 10 million Hindu pilgrims congregateproclaimed as one of the largest gathering of human beings in the world.[150] The historically important towns of Sarnath and Kushinagar are located not far from Varanasi.[151] Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath after his enlightenment and died at Kushinagar; both are important pilgrimage sites forBuddhists. Also at Sarnath are the Pillars of Ashoka and the Lion Capital of Ashoka, both important archaeological artefacts with national significance. At a distance of 80 km from Varanasi, Ghazipur is famous not only for its Ganges Ghats but also for the Tomb of British potentate Lord Cornwallis, maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.[152] Lucknow, the capital of the state, has several beautiful historical monuments such as Bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara.[153][154] It has also preserved the damaged complex of the Oudh-period British Resident's quarters, which are being restored. Uttar Pradesh gives access to three World Heritage Sites: Taj Mahal,Agra Fort and the nearby Fatehpur Sikri. Varanasi is widely considered to be the oldest cities in the world. It is famous for its ghats.[155]

In order to prepare schemes relating to the development of tourism and to execute them, the Directorate of Tourism was established in the year 1972 of which the Director General is an I.A.S. officer. In 1974 the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation was established to look after the commercial activities which are a part of development of tourism.[156]

[edit]Culture
Main article: Culture of Uttar Pradesh The diverse linguistic and religious ethnicities that are native to Uttar Pradesh combined with their long histories have contributed immensely to the varied cultural heritage of the state. The traditional folk arts cover the entire gamut of music, dance, drama, storytelling by itinerant troupes.[157] Minor populations of Tibetan Buddhists and Christians also live in Uttar Pradesh. The state is claimed to be the birthplace of Buddhist beliefs, which is derived from Vedic Hinduism, UP has been the ancient seat of Hindu religion, learning and culture, and has many important sites of Hindu pilgrimage.[158] The State has several sites important to Buddhism: the Chaukhandi Stupa marks the spot where Buddha met his first disciples, while the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath commemorates Buddha's first sermon. Also the town of Kushinagar is where Gautama Buddha died. The Mauryans, the Mughals, the British, etc. all brought with them their own cultural traits. Saree is the traditional dress of women in Uttar Pradesh. Dhoti and kurta-pyjama is the traditional attire of men. Shirt, Trousers andSalwar kameez are widely worn in Urban areas. Men also often sport a head-gear like topi or pagri. Sherwani is a more formal male dress and is frequently worn along with chooridar on festive occasions. The numerous significant ghats along the Ganges are known generally as the 'Varanasi ghats' and the 'ghats of the Ganges'. Each of the hundred ghats, big and small, is marked by a lingam, and occupies its own special place in the religious geography of the city. Some of the ghats situated in varanasi are Asi Ghat, Kedara Ghat, Chauki Ghat, chausathi Ghat, Dashashwamedha Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, Lalita Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Scindia Ghat, Panchganga Ghat, Adi Keshva Ghat and Vishwanatha Khanda. [159]GangaJamuni tehzeeb, a euphemism for the mutually participatory co-existence of Hindu and Muslim, which is regarded as a fusion of Hindu and Muslim elements.

[edit]Language

and Literature

Harivansh movement (romantic upsurge) of early 20th century Hindi literature

Main article: Languages of Uttar Pradesh

The battle of Kurukshetra,

Bachchan,poet of Chhayavaadliteraryfolio from the Mahabharata.

The Hindi language boasts a rich literary heritage in UP. The Vedasare a large body of texts originating in Uttar Pradesh.[160] The texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldestscriptures of Hinduism.[161] Vyasa is the author as well as a character in the Mahabharata and considered to be the scribe of both the Vedas, and the supplementary texts such as the Puranas. A number of Vaishnava traditions regard him as an Avatar ofVishnu.[162] The festival of Guru Purnima, is dedicated to him, and also known as Vyasa Purnima as it is the day, which is believed to be his birthday and also the day he divided the Vedas.[163] State has a long tradition in folk literature, evidenced by the, in the nineteenth and twentieth century, Hindi literature was modernised in the works of authors such as Jaishankar Prasad, Maithili Sharan Gupt, Munshi Premchand, Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Babu Gulabrai,Sachchidananda Hirananda Vatsyayan 'Agyeya', Rahul Sankrityayan, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Dharamvir Bharati,Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, Dushyant Kumar, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Chandramani Brahmdutt, Acharya Kuber Nath Rai,Bharatendu Harishchandra, Kamleshwar Prasad Saxena, Shivmangal Singh Suman, Mahadevi Varma and Vibhuti Narain Rai among others are well known.[164] The language of state administration is Hindi, As per the Uttar Pradesh Official Language Act, 1951 and is often referred to as the 'Hindi heartland of India'.[165] Urdu, established by the Amendment to the same in 1989, another native language of the state.[166] Both language are the common populace as well as the State and Central Governmental authorities. Linguistically, the state spreads across the Central, East-Central and Eastern zones of the Indo-Aryan languages, the major native languages of the state being Awadhi, Bundeli, Braj Bhasha, Kannauji and the vernacular form ofKhariboli.[167] The state government promotes the native dialects in cultural festivals.[168] Bhojpuri is spoken in the east and Bagheli is spoken in the southwestern fringes of the state.[169][170]

[edit]Music

and dance

Kathak Dancer Richa Jain performing the chakkarwala tukra.

Main article: Music of Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh has a special place in the world of Indian classical music with both Uttar Pradesh (Khyal and Dhrupad) and Carnatic styles finding place in the state.[171] The dance form that originated from the courts of Royals has traversed a long path since its inception. During the eras of Guptas and Harsh Vardhan, Uttar Pradesh was a major centre for musical innovation. Swami Haridas was a great saint-musician who championed Hindustani classical music. Tansen, the great musician in Mughal Emperor Akbar's court, was a disciple of Swami Haridas. The ragas sung by Tansen were believed to be so powerful that they could bring rain, or light a fire, when recited. Uttar Pradesh has produced a number of stalwarts in both styles viz. Anup Jalota,Baba Sehgal, Girija Devi, Gopal Shankar Misra, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Kishan Maharaj, Naushad Ali, Ravi Shankar, Shubha Mudgal, Siddheshwari Devi, Talat Mehmood, and Ustad Bismillah Khan. The legendary Ghazal singer Begum Akhtarwas also a native of Uttar Pradesh. The region's folk heritage includes songs called rasiya (known and especially popular in Braj), which celebrate the divine love ofRadha and Shri Krishna. The Bhatkhande Music Institute University at Lucknow is named after the great musician Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande.[172] Other forms of music are Kajari, Sohar, Qawwali, Rasiya, Thumri, Birha, Chaiti, Sawani. Kathak, a classical dance form, owes its origin to the state of Uttar Pradesh.[173] The dance form is inextricably bound with classical Hindustani music where the rhythmic nimbleness of the feet is accompanied by the Tabla or Pakhawaj.[174] Two prominent schools of this dance form namely, Lucknow Gharana and Benares gharana are situated in Uttar Pradesh.[175][176]

[edit]Fairs

& Festivals

Saraswati festival,in which people worship goddess ofknowledge, music, arts andscience.
Rama Navami and Diwali (celebrated between mid-October and mid-December) is the most popular festival in the Uttar Pradesh. Kumbh Mela organized in the month ofMaagha (Feb-March) is another important festival held every three years in rotation at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik and comes to Allahabad every 12 Years.[177]Lath mar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi. It takes place well before the actual Holi in the town of Barsana near Mathura. Taj Mahotsav that is held annually at Agra is a colorful display of the Arts, Crafts, Culture and Cuisine of the Braj area.[178] Buddha Purnima, which marks the birth of Gautama Buddha, is one of the most important Hindu and Buddhist festivals while Christmas is celebrated by the minority Christian population. Other notable festivals are Vijayadashami, Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami, Ayudha Puja, Ganga Mahotsava, Janmashtami, Sardhana Christian Fair, Maha Shivaratri, Mahavir Jayanti, Moharram, Brah Waf,Eid, Bakreed, Chhath puja, Lucknow Mahotsav, Kabob and Hanuman Jayanti.[179]

[edit]Cuisine
Main article: Cuisine of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradeshi thali with naan,sultani dal, raita, and shahi paneer.
Uttar Pradesh is divided by cuisines into 3 distinct zones namely Western UP, Oudh and Eastern Utter Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh has a generous platter for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. A formal vegetarian meal of Uttar Pradesh consists of chapati,roti (flatbread), puri, dal and papad. Most famous cuisines in Oudh are Kebab,Biryani, Keema and Nihari. In the western Uttar Pradesh or Rampur region, the major delicacies are Rampuri Rohu and Zamindoz; both items of fish. The most famous vegetarian dish of this region is Paneer. In the eastern Uttar Pradesh, Tahri and Reshmi kabobs are very famous. Besides, Murg Musallam is another

favorite dish of this region. The most famous vegetarian dishes of eastern Uttar Pradesh is Tahri and Nargishi kofta. Sweets occupy an important place in the diet of Hindu and at their social ceremonies. Native residence make distinctive sweetmeats from milk products, including Khurchan, Peda, Gulabjamun, Petha, Makkhan Malai and Chamcham. The Chaat in Lucknow and Banarasi Paan is famous all over India for its taste and ingredients.[180]