Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is bounded on the north by Nepal and Tibet and, in India, by Himachal
Pradesh state on the northwest, Haryana state and the union territory of Delhi
on the west, Rajasthan state on the southwest, Madhya Pradesh state on the
south, and Bihar on the east. Lucknow is its capital.
Taj Mahal is the most famous landmark of UP. Lucknow's Residency, Bara
Imambara, Chota Imambara, are other star attractions. Other memorable places to
visit are the historic cities of Agra and Jhansi; the pilgrim towns of
Varanasi, Allahabad, Mathura-Vrindavan, Rishikesh and Chardhams; Buddhist
centres like Sarnath and the enchanting hills of Kumaon and Garhwal.
Capital: This is the land that Lord Rama is said to have gifted his brother,
Laxman. The exotic land of the Nawabs -- Lucknow. The land of exquisite
sunrises and sunsets. Legendary gardens, palaces, mosques and bazaars. Towering
minarets and golden cupolas. Fresh water-melon and Jasmine flowers, Fish,
'biryani' and 'ittar' perfumes. charcoal stoves and ghazals, Silver smiths and
sequin embroiderers. Industrialists and romantics. Sweet 'phirni', poetry and
betal leaf. Spicy gossip and 'kababs'.
History: In the Vedic period, Uttar Pradesh formed part of the ancient country,
Madhyadesha. From the 16th -18th c., it was the Mughals who remained rulers.
The British gradually extended their power west from Bengal in the 19th
century, and UP became the main scene of the Mutiny of 1857 against the
British. The area was in the forefront of the Indian independence movement; six
of the first nine prime ministers of independent India (including Jawaharlal
Nehru and his daughter, Indira Gandhi) were from Uttar Pradesh.
The People: Two ethnographic groups inhabit the state--Mongoloid peoples in the
far north near the Tibetan border and Aryan-Dravidian people in the plains and
the hill and plateau region of the central and southern part of the state.
Hindus constitute more than 80 percent and Muslims, more than 15 percent of the
population. Hindi is the mother tongue of most, with about 15 percent speaking
Urdu. The western plain is the most urbanized region. Agriculture is by far the
most important sector of the state's economy, employing about three-fourths of
the work force.
Culture: The Kathak dance style, nurtured in Uttar Pradesh, is the most popular
form of classical dance in India. Old centres of learning - Varanasi,
Allahabad, Lucknow - were local points for classical music and dance. This is
the home of many a great artiste: Hin- dustani classical vocalist Siddheshwari
Devi, Kathak dancers like Birju Maharaj and mainstream actors like Amitabh
Bachchan. Today, foreign nationals have also learnt this elegant dance form to
perfection: the beautiful Veronique Azan being one example. The songs and
dances of the countryside are significant features of local culture. They
include the kajari of Mirzapur and Varanasi; the Alha Udal, a folk epic; and
various village dances.
Handicrafts: Bhadohi, Khamaria and Mirzapur are famous for carpet weaving;
Farrukhabad for handprinting; Lucknow, for chikan (a type of embroidery);
Moradabad, for metal enameling; Varanasi, for brocade and brass ware and
Nagina, for its ebony work. UP is the largest Brass and Copperware making
region in India with thousands of establishments. In domestic-ware each of the
scores of lotas (small water-pots) is known by the name of its origin, like
Etawah, Banaras, Sitapur, etc.
CLIMATE: The entire state, except for the northern region, has a tropical
monsoon climate. In the plains, January temperatures range from 12.5:-17.5: C
and May records 27.5:-32.5: C, with a maximum of 45: C. Rainfall varies from
1,000-2,000 mm in the east to 600-1,000 mm in the west.
Population: 167 million
Festivals: International Yoga Week in Rishikesh in Feb; Taj Mahotsav in Feb;
Jhansi festival in Feb-March; Rang Gulal festival in March; Buddha Mahotsav
(Apr-May); Badri-Kedar festival in June; Vrindavan Sharadotsav in Oct; Garhwal
festival in Oct-Nov; Ganga festival in Oct-Nov; Kumaon festival (Nov); Lucknow
festival (Nov-Dec).