Location: Northern part of India. It is a border of Nepal and Tibet in China -Northeast, surrounded by states of Himachal Pradesh -Northwest, Haryana, and Rajasthan and Delhi (the union territory) -West, the state of Madhya Pradesh -South, and the state of Bihar -Southeast. Also, Uttar Pradesh can be divided into three regions by different geographical conditions: Himalayan region - North, the Gangetic plains - Middle, and the Vindhyan hills and plateau - South.
History: The history of Uttar Pradesh is very old and fascinating and it had a great impact on Indian culture and civilization. Uttar Pradesh was known as Brahma Fishi Deshi (meaning the land of sages and saints) in the later Vedic Age because of the identity as a dwelling of spirituality. Great epics Rama and Krishna (Ramayana and the Mahavharata) have been inspired by UP. Buddhism and Jainism appeared during sixth century B.C. in UP. Great Buddha gave his first sermon at Saranath, and he set foundations of his order in UP. It is said that Mahavira, who founded Jainism, died at Doora in UP. In third century B.C., the entire area of UP was in the empires of the Great Mauryan Monarchs. The rich culture of UP brought new proportions to the Middle Age Indian history.
During Mughal Period, there were peaks of perfection and honor that effective administration, brotherhood, art, architecture, music, and culture reached. UP was under Muslim rule and directed to the way to a new integration of Hindu and Islamic cultures in the medieval period. After Great Mughal Period, UP remained its intellectual leadership under the British administration. The British united Agra and Oudh into a province named the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. In 1935, the name was shortened to United Provinces. After India became independent in 1950 January, the United Province changed its name to Uttar Pradesh. In 1996 August 15, Prime Minister Deve Gowda named the Garwal region Uttarkhand as a new state although it is yet to be formed.
Language: Hindi and Urdu
Religion: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Islam
Best known features: Majestic Taj Mahal, monument of eternal love built by Shahjahan in Agra (the capital of Mughal), is the most well-known landmark in UP. There are two ethnographic groups who live there (Mongoloid peoples in the far north near the Tibet boundary and Aryan-Dravidian in the plains and the hill and plateau region of the central and southern region). Hindus consist of more than 80 percent of the entire population and Muslims, more than 15 percent.
Uttar Pradesh has a biggest population of nearly 167 million. The western plain is the most urban region. Agriculture is the most important section of the UP’s economy, employing about three-fourths of the work force. UP has the largest production of food grain and oil seeds in India. In addition, UP ranks the first in the production of wheat, maize, barley, gram, sugar cane, and potatoes. The three most important industries of UP are sugar, cotton fabrics and diversified food preparations. Goods carrier equipment, photostat machines, chemicals, polyester fiber and steel tube galvanized sheets are the other big industries of UP.
The Kathak dance style, the most popular classical dance form in India, nourished in UP. Today, foreign countries have also learned this elegant dance form to perfection: the beautiful Veronique Azan as an example. The countryside songs and dances are significant traits of local culture. Uttar Pradesh famous for handicrafts such as, carpet weaving, hand printing, chikan (a type of embroidery), metal enameling, brocade and brass, and ebony work. Also, UP has the biggest Brass and Copperware manufacture area in India.
Links to other sites on the Uttar Pradesh:
“WinIndia.com. (States of India - Uttar Pradesh)” (1999)
http://www.winindia.com/state/up/up_index.asp
3 April 2000
(Profile of Uttar Pradesh) http://www.mapsofindia.com/stateprofiles/uttarpradesh/index.html
(Maps of Uttar Pradesh)http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/uttarpradesh/index.html
1 April 2000
“The Official Website of Uttar Pradesh” http://upinfo.org/
3
April 2000
“INCORE (India - Uttar Pradesh General Information)”
http://www.incore.com/india/up.html
3 April 2000
“Discover India“ http://www.meadev.gov.in/states/up/up.htm
3
April 2000
“Discovery India” (1997-2000)
http://www.discoveryindia.com/uttarpradesh/uttarpradesh.asp
3 April 2000
“Indias.com” (29 December 1999)
http://www.indias.com/states/st_utt/st_utt.html
3 April 2000
“Travel India” (1997 –1998)
http://www.travel-india.com/citytz/uttarpradesh/history.htm
3 April 2000
“IndiaMART - India travel Promotion Network” (1997)
http://www.indiantravelportal.com/
3
April 2000
“Gnan.COM.” (1999)
http://india.gnan.com/uttarpradesh.html
3 April 2000
“Encyclopedia Britanica” (1994 –2000)
http://www.eb.com/bol/search?type=topic&query=Hamirpur%20(Uttar%20Pradesh,%20India)&DBase=Articles
3 April 2000
Written by Kozue Takahashi