Uttar Pradesh  *

 

 

    It is the most populous state in the country and shares an international border with Nepal and China. It is flanked by Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The history of the state is entwined with innumerable accounts in myths and legends. This is the land irrigated by Ganga and Yamuna and its location has helped it in developing a composite civilisation.

 

    Many of the cities in the province trace back their history to antiquity. Ayodhya, Prayag, Varanasi and Mathura are mentioned repeatedly in the epics and Puranas. There were many powerful kingdoms in this region as early as the 6^th Century before the birth Christ. The empire of Maghad could be established only after these were subdued.

 

    Its geographical location has allowed Uttar Pradesh to receive a diversity of cultural influences and blend them harmoniously. The British combined Agra and Oudh to form the United Provinces and the state played a prominent role in the intellectual and administrative spheres throughout the Raj. The state looks back with pride to the glorious resistance put up by the people here to colonial rule. Memories of the revolt of 1857 provided inspiration to militant freedom fighters generation after generation, and when the struggle for independence was transformed into a mass movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh remained in the forefront.

 

    Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of food grains in the country. The state is also known as the sugar cane bowl of the country.

Important mineral based industries in the state are Cement and Magnesite. The city of Kanpur is famous for its textiles and leather industry. Since independence many new industrial units have also been set up. The Bharat Heavy Electrical Corporation at Haridwar is among the largest industrial establishments in the country.

 

    The state has a rich variety of handicrafts. Varanasi is internationally renowned for its silks, brocades and embroidery, Mirzapur for hand-woven carpets, Moradabad for brassware, Lucknow for delicate embroidery called chicken work and Sharanpur for exquisite wood carvings.

 

    Many sacred places for the Hindus are located here – Prayag, Mathura and Varanasi. In the Himalaya are the shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath visited by thousands every year. The Sikh temple at Hemkunt is on the threshold to the Valley of Flowers. Besides the places of pilgrimage there are many places of tourist interest. Taj Mahal is arguably the most famous tourist destination in India. The Corbett National Park provides a wonderful opportunity to interact in the wild not only with the majestic tiger, but elephants, leopards, deer and crocodiles.