Area	:294,441Sq.Km
Capital	: Lucknow
Language	: Hindi
Districts	: 70
Population               Males      Females	:139,112,2877 : 73,745,994 : 65,014,423
Literacy	: 41.71%
Chief Minister	: Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh is bounded by Nepal on the North, Himachal Pradesh on the north west, Haryana on the west, Rajasthan on the south west, Madhya Pradesh on the south and south- west and Bihar on the east. Situated between 23o 52'N and 31o 28 N latitudes and 77o 3' and 84o 39'E longitudes, this is the fourth largest state in the country .

Physical Features

Uttar Pradesh can be divided into three distinct hypsographical regions :

The Himalayan region in the North
The Gangetic plain in the centre
The Vindya hills and plateau in the south

The Himalayan region comprises the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Tehri-Garhwal, Garhwaland Almora and Nainital tehsil of Nainital district and Chakrata and a part of Dehra Dun tehsil of Dehra Dun district. High mountains formed of sedimentary rocks broken by valleys and deep gorges, characterize the terrain. The perpetual snows in the higher reaches are the source of perennial rivers and rivulets which criss-cross the terrain and ultimately find their two rivers together with their tributaries form a big river system which waters the entire Gangetic plain. The prominent peaks in the hill region include Banarpunch, Mount Kamety, Trishul, Dunagiri, Nanda Devi, Badrinath and Kedaranath. The hill areas are sparsely populated. Due to the excessively nature of the terrain, soil is subject to heavy erosion. Cultivation is done under intensive soil. Irrigation facilities are deficient and only a small fraction of the total area is under artificial irrigation. The valley area have fertile and rich soil. There is an intensive cultivation on terraced hill slopes. The higher altitudes are suitable for sub-tropical and temperate fruit culture. The Siwalik range which forms the southern foothills of the Himalayas, slopes down in to a boulder bed called 'bhadhar'. 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. The bhabhar tract gives place to the terai area which is covered with tall elephant grass and thick forests interspersed with marshes and swamps. The sluggish rivers of the bhabhar deepen in this area, their course running through a tangled mass of thick under growth. The terai runs parallel to the bhabhar in a thin strip. The main crops are wheat, rice, and sugar cane. Jute also is grown. Tea is grown in the sub mountain area of the Dehra Dun.

The most important area for the economy of the state is the Gangetic plain which stretches across the entire length of the state from east to west. The entire alluvial plain can be divide into three sub-regions. The first in the eastern tract consisting of 14 districts which are subject to periodical floods and droughts and have been classified as scarcity areas. These districts have the highest density of population which gives the lowest per capita land. The other two regions, the central and the western are comparatively better with a well-developed irrigation system. They suffer from water logging and large-scale user tracts. The Gangetic plain is watered by the Jamuna, the Ganga and its major tributaries, the Ramganga, the Gomati, the Ghaghra and Gandak. The whole plain is alluvial and very fertile. The chief crops cultivated here are rice, wheat, millets, gram, barley Sugar cane is the chief cash crop of the region. The Southern fringe of the Gangetic is demarcated by the Vindhya hills and plateau. It comprises the four districts of Jhansi, Jalaun, Banda, and Hamirpur in Bundelkhand division, Meja and Karchhana tehsils of Allahabad district, the whole of Mirzapur district south of Ganga and Chakia tehsil of Varanasi district. The ground is strong with low hills. The Betwa and Ken rivers join the Jamuna from the south -west in this region. It has four distinct kinds of soil, two of which are agriculturally difficult to manage. They are black cotton soil. Rainfall is scanty and erratic and water -resources are scare. Dry farming is practical on a large scale.

Climate

HISTORY

The Kushanas exercised their power over this region till 320AD. The territory passed into the hands of the Guptas during whose rule, the Huns invaded this region. After the decline of the Guptas, the Maukharis of Kannauj gained power. During the rule of Harshavardhana, Kannauj was an important city. After his rule political chaso set it. It was amidst this confusion that the Muslims invaded into Utter Pradesh though the society was dominated by the Rajputs, jats and other local chiefs. In 1016AD Mahmud of Ghazni laid his eyes on the wealth of Kannauj. He was followed by Mohammad Ghori. Throughout the rule of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals, the territory progressed. After the Mughals the Jats, the Rohillas, and the Marathas established their rule. By 1803 the British controlled this region and annexed it by 1856. It was in the Uttar Pradesh (The period between 1857-58) that the first struggle for liberation from the British yoke was unleashed. The revolt was suppressed and from then till independence it remained under British dominance. In 1950 the state was organised and named as Uttar Pradesh.

PEOPLE

The Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas, the three upper castes people of the state who have dominated the political and economic scene over the centuries are in a minority. A major group comprises of the backward classes, scheduled castes and tribes. The tribal population is largely concentrated in the hill, terai-bhabhar and Vindhya regions. The central government has recognised five of the tribal communities, viz. Tharus, Bhoksas, Bhotias, Jaunswaris and Rajis as scheduled tribes. Besides the upper class, there are also other Hindu and Muslim communities. The scheduled castes and scheduled tribes live in rural areas and are mostly dependent on agriculture, forming the landless labour class.

Karva Chauth: This festival falls on nine days after Dussehra, on the fourth day of the dark fortnight of Kartika. Karva Chauth is held by married Hindu woman for the safety and prosperity of their husbands. The day is spent in complete fasting till the rise of the moon and it is worshipped by women. Four days later, is the festival of Ahoi Astami, when women fast and pray for the welfare of their children. Followed five days later, by a series of festivals culminating in Diwali, the festival of lights on Kartika Amavasya.

Annakoot is celebrated which is devoted to feasting and Govardhan puja in the evening and rounded up next day by Bhaiya Dooj when sisters apply vermilion tika (auspicious mark) on the forehead of their brothers who reward them with money. On Dooj weapons, pen and inkpot are also worshipped.

Shitla Ashtami, which falls on eight day after Holi, is devoted to the goddess of small-pox, followed by Ram Navami on Chaitra Sudi Navami, commemorating the birth of Lord Rama; Baisakhi Purnima, a big bathing day; Bargadee Amavasya in Jaistha Dussehra, another great bathing day; Guru Purnima in Asadh when Vyas Puja is held and Nag Panchami dedicated to the worship of the Snake God, Shesha.

Janmashtami is the most important Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Krishna. This festival is followed by Hartalika Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi, Anant Chaturdashi, and Pitra Visarjan Amavasya devoted to making of oblations to the pitras (dead ancestors) and is called Pitra Paksha.

Bharat Milap which is celebrated during the month of October or November is performed at Nati Imli on the day following Vijayadashmi (Dusshera). It pertains to the episode of the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and his reunion with his brother Bharat. Just as the last rays of the setting sun touch the stage, the performance takes barely three minutes to enact.

Another episode from Ram Lila pertains to Shoorpnakha, demon king Ravana's sister. This festival is held on the 4th night of Kartika at Chetganj. It lasts almost the whole night. The 'Kalia Daman' episode from 'Krishna Lila' is celebrated in November on the Tulsi ghat. Shivratri is celebrated on the 14th day of Phalgun. 'Ganga-Dussehra' and 'Nirjala Ekadashi' fall on the 10th day of bright half of Jayestha. It is believed that Ganga waters reached Haridwar this day in the remote past. The next day, is the day of fasting for all the devotees. Panchkoshi Parikarma is another famous pilgrimage. It is held in the month of Vaisakh, circumambulation of 'Kashi-Dharma Kshetra'.

MUSLIM FESTIVALS

AGRA - Taj Mahal | Taj Mahal Museum | Akbar's Tomb | Itmad-ud-Daulat's Tomb | Agra Fort | Fatehpur Sikri


The Ganga Ma (Mother Ganga), the sacred river flow through this state. The water of Ganga is believed to have a purifying effect on the soul. India's holiest city Varanasi is on the banks of this sacred river. It is India's fourth largest state with an area of 2,94,413 sq km .

AGRA
This city is 200 Km away from Delhi. Agra flourished under the Mughal emperor Akbar (1542-1605) and his successors, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. The destinations given below provide an insight into the range of India's culture and history. It encompass some of the country's most spectacular architecture.

TAJ MAHAL
The Taj Mahal is situated at Agra, about 200 Kms away from Delhi on the banks of the river Yamuna. It is at Taj Road, Open from 0800 to 1600, Tuesday to Sunday. Taj Mahal is the enduring monument of love. It is a mausoleum. Shajahan build it on the death of his beloved wife Arjumand Bonu Begam (Mumthaz Mahal). The unique beauty of Taj makes it one of the wonders of the world. It is build with white marble. It was studded with precious stones. (crystal from China, Lapis Lawzuli from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Turquoise from Tibet, Gold from Egypt, amethyst from Persia, agate from Yeman, Malachite from Russia and Diamonds from Golconda, India).