By Dr. C.L. Khanna Revised by Dhiraj Pandey

Revised & Enlarged Edition

UPKAR PRAKASHAN, -2 © Publishers

Publishers UPKAR PRAKASHAN 2/11A, Swadeshi Bima Nagar, AGRA–282 002 Phone : 4053333, 2530966, 2531101 Fax : (0562) 4053330 E-mail : [email protected], Website : www.upkar.in Branch Offices : 4845, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, Paras Bhawan 1-8-1/B, R.R. Complex (Near Sundaraiah New —110 002 (First Floor), Park, Adjacent to Manasa Enclave Gate), Phone : 011–23251844/66 Khazanchi Road, Bagh Lingampally, Patna—800 004 Hyderabad—500 044 Phone : 0612–2673340 Phone : 040–66753330 28, Chowdhury Lane, Shyam B-33, Blunt Square, 8-310/1, A. K. House, Bazar, Near Metro Station, Taxi Stand Lane, Mawaiya, Heeranagar, Haldwani, Gate No. 4 —226 004 (U.P.) Distt.—Nainital—263 139 Kolkata—700 004 (W.B.) Phone : 0522–4109080 () Phone : 033–25551510 Mob. : 7060421008

● The publishers have taken all possible precautions in publishing this book, yet if any mistake has crept in, the publishers shall not be responsible for the same. ● This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced in any form by Photographic, Mechanical, or any other method, for any use, without written permission from the Publishers. ● Only the courts at Agra shall have the jurisdiction for any legal dispute.

ISBN : 978-81-7482-408-0

Code No. 939

Printed at : UPKAR PRAKASHAN (Printing Unit) Bye-pass, AGRA CONTENTS

1. : At a Glance ...... 3–7 2. Uttar Pradesh : An Introduction...... 8–9 3. ...... 10–14 4. Role of Uttar Pradesh in Independence Movement...... 15–18 5. Geological Structure and Physical Divisions of Uttar Pradesh ...... 19–20 6. Rivers and Lakes of Uttar Pradesh ...... 21–24 7. of Uttar Pradesh ...... 25–27 8. Soils of Uttar Pradesh...... 28–29 9. Forests, Animals and Birds of Uttar Pradesh ...... 30–33 10. Mineral Wealth of Uttar Pradesh...... 34–35 11. Natural Regions of Uttar Pradesh...... 36–37 12. Population and Area in Uttar Pradesh ...... 38–41 13. Education in Uttar Pradesh...... 42–50 14. Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh...... 51–53 15. Industries in Uttar Pradesh ...... 54–58 16. Irrigation and Multipurpose Projects in Uttar Pradesh...... 59–64 17. Transport and Communication in Uttar Pradesh ...... 65–67 18. Co-operative in Uttar Pradesh ...... 68–69 19. Labour and Employment in Uttar Pradesh...... 70–71 20. News Papers and Magazines of Uttar Pradesh ...... 72–74 21. Famous Towns, Religious Centres and Tourist Places of Uttar Pradesh ...... 75–80 22. Fairs, Festivals and Folk Songs of Uttar Pradesh...... 81–82 23. Scheduled Tribes of Uttar Pradesh ...... 83–87 24. Museums of Uttar Pradesh ...... 88–88 25. Administration of Uttar Pradesh...... 89–92 26. Local Self-Government in Uttar Pradesh ...... 93–94 27. Information and Public Relation in Uttar Pradesh...... 95–95 28. Social Welfare ...... 96–100 29. Rural Development in Uttar Pradesh...... 101–104 30. Panchayati Raj ...... 105–107 31. Regional Development ...... 108–109 32. Land Reform...... 110–112 33. Urbanization Trends in Uttar Pradesh ...... 113–117 34. Uttar Pradesh Budget 2016-17 ...... 119–120 35. Uttar Pradesh : Export Policy and Achievement ...... 121–127 36. Uttar Pradesh : Present Day...... 128–130 37. Division, District, Tehsil and Development Blocks of Uttar Pradesh...... 131–148 ● Objective Questions and Answers ...... 149–176 Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge 1 Uttar Pradesh : At a Glance

Location—Latitude 25′′-31° N and longitude State Language of Uttar Pradesh— ° ° 77 -84 E. State Tree of Uttar Pradesh—Ashok Tree Creation of state—It was created on 1st April, 1937 as United Province which was Agriculture—Crops Rabi and Kharif, pulses, renamed to as Uttar Pradesh in 1950. sugarcane, vegetables, mango and guava. Area—2,40,928 sq. km. (7.3% of the Principal Crops—Paddy, Wheat, Barley, country's geographic area). Millet, Maize, Urad (Black Gram), Moong (Green Population—As per Census 2011, the total Gram), Arhar etc. population of Uttar Pradesh is 19,98,12,341. Uttar Principal Minerals—Lime-Stone, Dolomite, Pradesh holds 1st position in population wise and Soap Stone, Gypsum, Bauxite, Glass-sand, become the most populous state of . manganese, Non-plastic fire clay etc. Only four countries namely China, USA, Principal Handicrafts—Chikan-work, Emb- Indonesia and Brazil have a population higher roidery, wood work, wooden toys and furniture, than that of Uttar Pradesh. Clay-toys, carpet weaving, Silk & Brassware work. Capital—Lucknow Neighbouring states/ country—Uttar Main Industries—Cement, vegetable oils, Pradesh is bounded by Uttarakhand and Nepal in textiles, cotton yarn, sugar, jute, Lock & Scissors, North, and in South, Carpet, Brassware, Glassware & Bangles. Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi in West and Bihar Main Folklores—Kajari, Chaiti, Alha, Puran and Jharkhand in East. Bhagat, Dhola Bhartrihari, Birha, Rasiya. Principal Languages—Hindi and Main Folk Dances—Pandav, Karma, Char- Districts (Till 31.03.2015)—75 kula, Paidanda, Tharu, Dhobiya, Rai and Shera. Division (Till 31.03.2015)—18 Tourist and Historical Places Tehsils (Till 31.03.2015)—340 —, Blocks (Till 31.03.2015)—821 Vindhyachal, , Chitrakoot, Prayag, Naimisharanya, , Vrindavan, Dewa Total Villages (2014-15)—1,06,774 Sharief, Dargah of Sheikh Saleem Chisti in No. of Inhabited Villages (2014-15)—97,814 , Sarnath, Shravasti, Kushinagar, No. of Unhabited Villages (2014-15)—8,960 Sankisa, Kampil, Piprahwa and Kaushambi, Agra, Cities—915 Ayodhya, Sarnath, Varanasi, Lucknow, , Economic Zones—4 , Jaunpur, , Mahoba, Devgarh, Nagar Nigams—14 Bithur, and Vindhyachal. Nagar Palika Parishads—193 Main Rivers—Ganga, , Gomti, Nagar Panchayats (Town Area)—423 and . Members of Vidhan Sabha—404 Members of Vidhan Parishad—100 Physical Features—Uttar Pradesh can be members from Uttar Pradesh— divided into three distinct hypsographical 80 regions— Rajya Sabha members from Uttar ● The sub-Himalayan Terai region in the North- Pradesh—31 Highly fertile soil, thick forests with rich flora State Animal of Uttar Pradesh—Swamp and fauna. Deer ● The Gangetic Plain in the centre—Highly State Bird of Uttar Pradesh—Sarus Crane fertile alluvial soils; flat topography broken State Flower of Uttar Pradesh—Palash by numerous ponds, lakes and rivers; slope (Butea monosperma) 2 m/km. 4 | U.G.K.

● The Vindhya Hills and plateau in the Major crops—Rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, south—Hard rock Strata; varied topography chickpea and pigeonpea. of hills, plains, valleys and plateau; limited Major vegetables—Potato, Peas & Cabbage water availability. Major fruit grown—Mango, Guava, Banana, and Litchi. Agro-climatic zones-9 agro-climatic zones, namely, Bhabhar & Tarai, Western Plain, Central- Important spices produced in the State— Western Plain, South-Western Plain, Central Plain, Onion (6th among States) Turmeric, Chili, Garlic, , North-Eastern Plain, Eastern Plain, Fennel, Fenugreek and Coriander and Vindhyan region. Gross cropped area (2012-13)—258.21 lakh ha. Economic regions—Western, Eastern, Land Holdings— Central and Bundelkhand. Cultivable area (2012-13)—24170403 hectare Cultivated area (2012-13)—165.64 lakh ha (82.1% of total geographical area) U.G.K. | 5

Net area sown (2014-15)—165·64 lakh Soil Types of Uttar Pradesh and their hectare Area Gross cropped area (2014-15)—25·896 million Soil Types Area (ha) Districts Covered hectare Bhabar soils 510510 , Bijnour Area sown more than once (2012-13)—9·257 Tarai soils 1686740 Pilibhit, , Rampur, million hectare Bahraich, Srawasti, Bal- Cropping intensity of—53·54 %. rampur, Siddharth N agar, Kushinagar, Maharaj- Net irrigated area (2012-13)—139·29 lakh ganj, Deoria hectare (By canals—18·3%, by tubewells—71·5% Alluvial soils 18185300 Central, eastern, western, and by others—10·2%). south western part of the Gross irrigated area (2013-14)—204·03 lakh state Vindhyan 1501290 Mirzapur, Varanasi, hectare soils , Sonbhadra Percentage of net irrigated sown area— Bundelkhand 3192440 Jhansi, Jalaun, Hamirpur, 83·07%. soils Banda, Lalitpur, Mahoba, Total number of land holdings (2010-11)— Chitrakoot 233·25 lakhs Aravali soils 63290 South western area of Agra Marginal farmers (2010-11)—185·32 lakh (79·5%) Recorded Forest area (2013-14)—16,583 sq. km (6.88 % of total geographical area). Small farmers—30·53 lakh (13·0%) Reserved forests—70·31% Canals and projects—Upper Ganga Canal, Protected forest—8·56% Middle Ganga Canal, Lower Ganga Canal, Eastern Yamuna Canal, Agra Canal, Sarda Canal, Unclassed forests—21·12% Ramganga Canal, Betwa Canal, Ken Canal, Forest cover (2013)—14,349 sq. km Matatila Canals, Rihand Project Canal, Dhasan Vegetation— Canal, Tanda, Dalmau, Bhopauli, Doharighat, Very dense forests—1623 km2 Belan pump canals, Tumaria, Khoh, Baur, Moderately dense forests—4550 km2 Rampura, Lalitpur dams and Kotari project. Open forests—8176 km2 Mineral Resources of Uttar Pradesh Reserves (In lakh Mineral Locality District tonnes As on Uses 31st March, 2006) Bauxite Rajauan Chitrakoot 94·22 Alluminium, Refractory Industry China Clay Naudiha, Ramgarh, Garda Sonbhadra 165·0 Ceramics, Refractory Industry Coal Kakri, Bina, Dhughichua, Sonbhadra 7220.00 Thermal Power, Cement, Kharia (source–IBM) Caramics Industries etc. Diaspore Garhmau, Mailar, Jhansi, Mahoba, 0·50 Refractory Gaurari, Tori Lalitpur Pyrophyllite Garhmau, Mailar, Jhansi, Mahoba, 12·17 Refractory, Ceramics, Talc, Gaurari, Tori Lalitpur Insecticide etc. Feldspar Khajraha—Buzurg Jhansi 1·00 Ceramics Industry Silica Sand Shankargarh, Bargarh, Allahabad, 150·00 Glass & Foundry Industry Lalapur Chitrakoot Granite Kalapahar, Khailar, Jhansi, Mahoba, 484919000 Polished slab & tiles Kewal, Bijoli Lalitpur, Banda, M3 Sonbhadra (source–IBM) Dolomite Bari Sonbhadra 200·00 Iron & Steel Industry Limestone Bhalua, Kajrahat, Billi, Sonbhadra 4000·00 Cement & Steel Industry Ghurma Rock Pisnari & Tori Lalitpur 60·00 Fertilizer & Elemental Phosphate Phosphorus Industry Sillimanite Chhipiya Sonbhadra 32·00 Refractory Industry 6 | U.G.K.

Infrastructure ● Various parts of the state are catered to by Educational infrastructure (Approved)— five of the 17 railway zones in India. These 2014-15 are Northern Railways, North Eastern Railways, East Central Railways, North Universities 31 Central Railways and West Central Railways. Colleges 4,284 ● Lucknow is the main junction for the Government Engineering Colleges 11 Northern and North Eastern Railways. Government ITI College 325 ● Intra-state rail network is well-developed, Primary Schools 168906 connecting the towns and the district Upper Primary Schools 76901 headquarters of Uttar Pradesh. ● Higher Secondary Schools 22750 The Delhi Metro Rail links and with Delhi. Health infrastructure— Airports Medical Colleges 54 — ● District Hospitals 72 The state has six domestic airports, located at Agra, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Primary Health Centres 4911 Lucknow and Varanasi. Allopathic Hospitals 5102 ● International flights operate from Chaudhary Ayurvedic Hospitals 2114 Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow, Homyopethic Hospitals 1575 and Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi. Power (2013-14) ● New airports have been proposed at Shrawasti Production and Consumption of Power in U.P. and Kushinagar districts. S. Year ● The Government of Uttar Pradesh is planning Item No. to develop an international airport between 2013-14 2014-15 Agra and Mathura. 12 34 Demography 1. Installed Capacity (MW) 5458 5460 2. Consumption (Crore KW) 5824 6370 Description 2011 3. Total Production (Crore KW) 2659 2637 Actual Population 199,812,341 4. Per Capita Power Consump- 299 278 Male 104,480,510 tion (KW hr) Female 95,331,831 5. Electrified Villages 87139 87086 Population Growth 20·23% Road type Road length (km) Percentage of total Population 16·50% (2012-13) Sex Ratio 912 National Highways 3250 Child Sex Ratio 902 State Highways 7703 Density/km2 829 Other District Roads 185495 Total road length 196448 Total Child Population (0–6 Age) 30,791,331 Male Population (0–6 Age) 16,185,581 Railways— Female Population (0–6 Age) 14,605,750 ● The railway network in Uttar Pradesh is the largest in the country. Literacy 67·68 % ● The state is well-connected to other parts of Male Literacy 77·28 % the country by a railway network spanning Female Literacy 57·36 % over 8,763 km. Total Literate 114,397,555 ● The major sectors and industries serviced by the railways include agriculture, cement, Male Literate 68,234,964 fertilisers, coal and manufacturing. Female Literate 46,162,591 U.G.K. | 7

Largest District (km2)— High Literacy— 1. Lakhimpur Kheri 7680 1. Gautam Buddha Nagar 80·12 % 2. Sonbhadra 6905 2. Kanpur Nagar 79·65 % 3. Auraiya 78·95 % 3. Hardoi 5986 4. Etawah 78·41 % 4. Sitapur 5743 5. Ghaziabad 78·07 % 5. Allahabad 5482 High Sex Ratio— Percentage of Child— 1. Jaunpur 1024 1. Siddharthnagar 18·96 % 2. Azamgarh 1019 3. Deoria 1017 2. Shrawasti 18·95 % 4. Pratapgarh 998 3. Bahraich 18·77 % 5. Sultanpur 983 4. Balrampur 18·37 % Urban Population 5. Budaun 18·06 % Description Rural Urban High Density— Population (%) 77·73 % 22·27 % 1. Ghaziabad 3971 Total Population 155,317,278 44,495,063 2. Varanasi 2395 Male Population 80,992,995 23,487,515 3. Lucknow 1816 Female Population 74,324,283 21,007,548 4. Sant Ravidas Nagar 1555 Population Growth 17·97 % 28·82 % 5. Kanpur Nagar 1452 Sex Ratio 918 894 Child Sex Ratio (0–6) 906 885 Top Population Growth— Child Population (0–6) 25,040,583 5,750,748 1. Bahraich 46·48 % Child Percentage (0–6) 16·12 % 12·92 % 2. Ghaziabad 42·27 % Literates 85,284,680 29,112,875 3. Gautam Buddha Nagar 37·11 % Average Literacy 65·46 % 75·14 % 4. Chitrakoot 29·43 % Male Literacy 76·33 % 80·45 % 5. Balrampur 27·72 % Female Literacy 48·48 % 60·96 % 2 Uttar Pradesh : An Introduction

The region known as Uttar Pradesh is the Belan near Vindhyachal and valley of Son in Uttar result of the decentralisation and reorganisation of Pradesh. the area. The people who were the founder of the Archaeological discoveries in Vindhyan future of India have grown up in its soil. It has deposits and rock deposits near the lake basins of developed the new culture, civilization and Ganga valley are the archaeological records which humanity. The Saints have meditated in the dense throw light on temporary settlements and the forests and caves of the region and have given leading life of beings. Besides this small their views to the people of the country. stone instruments and caves of cultured age were Major part of Uttar Pradesh is the part of also found. Many wall paintings were found in Ganga-Yamuna plains, known as ‘Aryavart’, these caves. Excavation at Koldihava, Magahra ‘Central province’ and ‘Hindustan’. According to and Panchoha throw light on the paddy culti- Legends ‘Daksh Prajapati’ the son of Brahma vation, pastoralism and . It is proved that started Manav dynasty at Kankhal near Haridwar pre-historic wealth in the state is the result of and ‘Ishvaku’, the son of Manu, established many cultures, which throw light on the sovereign Ayodhya its capital near . Sagar, personality of the State in which the different Mandhata, Dileep, Raghu, Dashrath and Ram, the religions, different cultures and different castes great kings were the people of this dynasty can be seen. ‘Purkha’ of Chandravansh established its states In the excavation of Archaeological depart- near Prayag. Purkha's second son Amavasu made ment, the remnants of different historical periods Kannauj his capital. ‘Nahashu’ the son of from stone age to neo-palaeolithic age, the copper Amavasu jointly ruled over Kannauj or age, the Indus valley civilization and mud tablet Pratishthan ‘Yayati’ the son of Nahashu called diagrams were found in Uttar Pradesh. Maurya ‘Chakravarti Samrat’ not only of Uttar Pradesh Stupa, Jain Stupas, Buddha Vihar, Kushan Samrat but also of India. Five sons of Yayati extended and famous temples of Nagas are the proof of their region to South-West and Eastern India. ancient civilization in Uttar Pradesh. When Aryans Hastinapur near by ‘Kuruvansh’, Mathura came in India, they made Uttar Pradesh their by ‘Yaduvansh’, Kannauj by ‘Gadhivansh’ ‘Karmsthali’. It is the state where Ram and Kaushambi by ‘Vatshvansh’, Varanasi by were born. and Mahabharat ‘Kshatravraddha’ were the capitals in the State. were written. The ‘Karm-upadesh’ of the Geeta, The name ‘Bharatvarsh’ was given to the region in the heritage of our country was established from the name of ‘Bharat’ the son of Dushyant, the king here. Except Ramayan and Mahabharat, there is of ‘Kuru dynasty’. In Ahichhatra near Bareilly, no epic in the world, which has influenced the these five founded their States. According to the individual, the society and the life. These are the invention made by Archaeological Department pillars of Indian life, morality and philosophy. It Hastinapur, Kannauj, Kaushambi, Mathura and has united India leaving aside different castes, Ahichhatra have their glorious history. religions and languages. In British period excavation of ancient places There are many scattered places in the state was started in Uttar Pradesh. During this whose historical events are full of Hindu, Muslim, excavation and survey many cultural areas of pre- Jain, Sikh, Buddha and Christian saints only. historic period were found. On the basis of these Many pilgrims places and festivals are the source records and the stone used in the stone age period of attraction for Indians. The Ganga-Yamuna and its manufacturing and the deposits, the in the state is the area which has been the historical period can be classified into different place of Ram and Krishna Lila and workable place ages. The stone age instruments were found in of Buddha, Vardhaman Mahavir. Here not only U.G.K. | 9

Hindus but Muslim emperors have constructed during the regime of . He gathered famous temples. Govind Dev temple made by emperor artists, intellectuals and sculptors without any Akbar is well known. Beside this Kardemeshwar distinction of caste or creed. Literature, arts and Mahadev temple constructed at ‘Panchkoshi culture were well developed during his reign. Marg’ enroute to Mathura and Varanasi, Ayodhya, , the successor of Akbar also encouraged Rehman Khera and Tiket Rai Temple at Kanpur Hindu-Muslim artists without any distinction. The are worth mentioning. white marble made by Shahjahan is a Before the 6th century B.C. Buddha attained memory of immortal love. The fall of Mughal enlightenment at Sarnath (10 km away from empire started after the death of in Varanasi) and preached his first sermon there. He 1707. Though the dark age of Delhi started, yet established the religion which extended upto the centre of politics and culture in the Avadh China, Japan and Indo-China. It is unfortunate that the religion which originated from this land, has Darwar, for some time these assemblers of Avadh disappeared in this land. Darwar were the glory of Faizabad, thereafter Adi Shankaracharya, who renovated the Lucknow was its theatre. The Arts, culture, Hindu religion came to Kashi from extreme South. music and poetry well developed the feeling of His tomb is built in the mid of snow covered communal brotherhood and new records were Himalayan ranges in Uttarakhand. Here is built the established during this period. But greatest politi- famous Kedarnath temple. He established the four cal instability was at that time when Britishers religious places known as Badrinath (North), Puri ruled over Avadh. (East), Dwarika (West), Shiringari (South). The It was the beginning of revolt in state and at establishment of these religious places was his first it was started at Meerut in 1857 and spread effort to see India in a unity. out all over India. In many parts of the country, Many learners, reformers and teachers were Hindus and Muslims jointly rose against the attracted toward Uttar Pradesh in medieval period. Britishers in this revolt, Uttar Pradesh was the Their main object was to discover the original lan- centre of this revolt, decided battles were fought guage of India. It was the place where the tradi- in this area, when Britishers ruled over India. tional educational institutes provided the religious The political awareness which surfaced at that and cultural linkages. Many artists and sculptors time, still exists, this is the cause that Britishers came over here to make the people’s life happy gave utmost attention to this area. They tried to and prosperous. It was also the Karmsthali of divide Indians and solidify their rule. In 1877 Sir Ramanand, Chetanya, Kabir, Tulsi and Sur. These Syed Ahmed Khan laid the foundation stone of saints gave a new way to superstitious people and M.A.O. college and later on Madan Mohan taught them tolerance towards the other religions. Malviya founded the in It is due to the result of their movements that their 1916. In 1921 Mahatma Gandhi started education valuable teachings of our religion, literature and in Kashi Vidhyapeeth, which has given many culture were disseminated. This fertile plain lies in freedom fighters who worked in Non-Cooperation between the North-Western hilly tract and Bay of Movement with Mahatma Gandhi. During this . It has been a settled place of invasion of year a national Muslim University in the name of Mughals, with whom the Sufi saint also came. The Jamiya Milia Islamiya was established at , arrival of these saints was the result of formation which was later on shifted to Delhi. The Britishers of rainbow organisation of caste, creed and founded this against M.A.O. college. thought which proved the valuable reserves of the The state of Uttar Pradesh was foremost in nation. It was the time when the Urdu language non-cooperation movement and freedom move- got its existence and was developed alongwith ment. ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Anand Bhawan’ at Allahabad Hindi language, although the Hindi language was which belong to Nehru family have been the hub deep rooted earlier. Amir Khusro also got the of the congress politics, in which many important prominence in this period, and the language which decisions were taken against the British rule. Khusro used, was used by many Hindi and Urdu Seven Prime Ministers, one President, and two writers. Khusro also contributed towards the Vice-Presidents are the products of Uttar Pradesh. music. ‘Sitar’ is his invention. During British rule, there is no doubt that The integrated culture was first time deve- Uttar Pradesh has given an important historical loped in Mughal period, it was highly developed contribution to the entire country. 3 History of Uttar Pradesh

The pre and post-historic period of the state is description is found in Hindu Katha and Literature gloomy. The discovery of arms and implements of lived over here. Ramayan and Mahabharat epics ancient and neo-palaeolithic age in excavation at are related with the people of this state. It is due to Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Bundelkhand, Sarai-a-nahar that the Aryans were known as well cultured, well area of Pratapgarh and of Harappan objects in behaved with great ideals. Alamgirpur in Meerut take us back to ancient In 6th century B.C. 16 Mahajanpadas engaged historical age. In ancient time the state was known in a state of serious competition for supremacy. as ‘Madhya-Desh’. Being at en-route for invaders These states (Janapads) and their capitals were as from North-West and forming part of the rich follows : fertile plain in between Delhi and Patna, its history is closely linked to the history of . S.N. Mahajanpad Capital 1. Kuru (Meerut, Delhi and Indraprastha (near It is only from the Rigvedic age that some Thaneshwar) Delhi) coherent historical account is found. It is said that when Aryan came to India, they colonized at 2. Panchal (Bareilly, Badaun Ahichchhatra (near and Farrukhabad) Bareilly) Saptasindhu (Modern ) in India. More important of them were Puru, Turvasu, Yadu, Anu 3. Shursen (around Mathura) Mathura and Druhm. These five classes were known as 4. Vats (around Allahabad) Kaushambi Panchjan. Besides this there was one prominent 5. Kaushal (Avadh) Saket (Ayodhya) and class known as Bharat. Shravasti (Sahet Mahet in Gonda Gradually Aryans extended their territory district) towards the East. The Shatpath Brahman gives an 6. (near Deoria) Kushinagar (Kasia) interesting account of the victory of Kaushal and Pawa (Padrauna) (Avadh) and Videh (Bihar) by the Brahmans and 7. Kashi (Varanasi) Varanasi Kshatriyas. Expansion of territory led to the creation of new states (Janpads), emergence of 8. Ang (Bhagalpur) Champa new people and new centres. The Saptasindhu 9. Magadh (South Bihar) Giribraj (Rajgrara, gradually lost importance and the Aryans were Rajgiri, near Bihar attracted to the fertile plains in between Saraswati Shariff) (the lost river at Rajasthan) and Ganga. This was 10. Vrajji (District Darbhanga Mithila (Nepal the centre of their culture, literature, spiritualism and ) border) and Vaishali and politics, over here there ruled the Kuru, (Muzaffarpur) Panchal, Kashi and Kaushal Kingdoms. 11. Chedi (Bundelkhand) Shuktimati (probably near Banda) In the , the state was known as 12. Matsya () Virat (near Jaipur) ‘Brahmarshi Desh’. Bharadwaj, Yaznavalkaya, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra and Valmiki sages made 13. Asmak (Godavari valley) Pandanaya Uttar Pradesh as their ‘Karmsthali’ in the vedic 14. (Malwa) Ujjaini (Ujjain) period. 15. Gandhar (North-West Taxila (near region in Pakistan) Rawalpindi) It was known as Madhya Desh, extended upto Prayag in the East, which was the boundary of 16. Kamboj Rajapur (place not Uttar Pradesh. All great persons and gods whose known) U.G.K. | 11

Out of the above 16 states, eight (1 to 7 and caste. Pushyamitra made ‘Ashvamedh Yagya’ at serial number 11) were in present Uttar Pradesh Jagatgram, near today's Dehradun (Uttarakhand). and are still in the state. More known among them At the end of the 3rd century B.C. the Greek were Kaushal, Kashi and Vats. Beside these invaders were more active; it is proved in the certain republican states were also with in the literature written by Kalidas and Patanjali. It is boundary of Uttar Pradesh e.g., Shakya state of said that Greek rounded off Madyamika in Kapilvastu, Bhagga state of Samsumergiri, the between Saket (Avadh) and Chittor. The capital of Malla state of Pawapuri and Kushinagar. Patliputra was also afraid of their attack. All the states were perpetually at war with Meanander and his brother mounted a heavy each other. Kaushal annexed Kashi and Avanti attack in about 182 B.C. These invaders occupied grabbed Vats. Later on Kaushal and Avanti, in extreme South-West Sagal Kathiawad (Sialkot) turn were subjugated one by one by Magadh, and Mathura. which became most powerful in the entire region. During this period the Shung dynasty was Magadh was ruled in succession by Haryank, replaced by the in Magadh. This Shishunag and Nand dynasty. The Nandas ruled dynasty continued to rule for 45 years and it was from 343 B.C. to 321 B.C. The Nand empire brought to an end in 28 B.C. by Simuk, the extended through whole of India except Punjab founder of the Satvahan or the Andhra dynasty. and Bengal. It was during their regime that It was that time that the attention of central Alexander invaded India in 326 B.C. Several Asian rulers was drawn towards India for the first historians are of the view that due to the powerful time. Saka had set up their Kshatraps in Mathura. Magadh state, Alexander's force could not The first Saka King was Mayus who died around advance beyond Beas river. 58 B.C. After the Saka the Parthians attacked With Alexanders retreat, Chandragupta north India and were defeated by them. Rajubal Maurya defeated Nand and became the emperor. and Saudas also ruled over this area. The Kushana During the Magadhan empire the state was under also mounted an attack around 40 A.D. and ruled the rule of Chandragupta Maurya and his grand upto entire central Asia, including north India. son Ashok. The whole of the Uttar Pradesh The Kushan dynasty was established by enjoyed peace and prosperity during the regime of Kadphises Ist. His grandson Kanishka was Chandragupta, his son Bindusar and grandson doubtlessly the greatest among all Kushan rulers. Ashok. Ashok pillars and engravings on rocks Some scholars are of the view that he started ‘Sak have been found at Sarnath, Meerut, Kaushambi, Sambat’ 78 years A.D. Kanishka fought with the Allahabad, Kalpi, Sankisa, Basti and Mirzapur king of Saket. Several inscriptions and coins which are in Uttar Pradesh. The lion capital found in excavations in extensive parts of Uttar inscribed in the Ashoka's pillar at Sarnath has Pradesh indicate that this territory was at that time been adopted by the government of India as the part of the . Mathura was at that state Emblem. time a well known centre of Art. Yhvan-Chwang, Ashoka's empire extended from Hindukush in the Chinese traveller is of the view that Kanishka the North-West to Bengal in the East and from made Purushpur or Peshawar his capital and his Himalayan in the North to Pennar river in the kingdom was from Gandhar to Avadh and South. The downfall of the Magadh empire began Banaras. Kanishka fought with China and with the death of Ashok in 232 B.C. His whole conquered the East Turkistan. It is said that empire was divided among his five sons. The Mathura was his second capital. Mauryan dynasty ruled over 137 years. According The regime period of Kanishka and genealogy to the ‘Vayu Purana’ the Mauryan dynasty ruled of Kushan rulers are uncertain. After Kanishka his for 134 years. The last ruler of this dynasty son Huvishka succeeded to the throne and was was Vrihdrath, who was assassinated by his followed by his son Vasudev. With the approach commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Shung in 185 of third century A.D., the Kushan sovereignty in B.C. Pushyamitra kept Magadhan empire intact. Madhya Desh had collapsed and a number of Thus a new dynasty came in power at Madhya small states once again sprang up. During the Desh. It is known from the rock documents found Kushan reign Mathura was the centre of trade and at Ayodhya that Shung dynasty was a Brahman culture. The art of sculpture and architecture was 12 | U.G.K. developed during the regime. After the Kushan, major city of north India. It was the desire of the Naga kings rose to power in Western Uttar every state to rule Kannauj. The Chinese traveller, Pradesh. Yhan-chwang visited the country at the time of From the middle of the second century upto and praised his reign. the 4th century the rise of the Gupta ruler is very During the 8th century (After the death of meteoric. Harsha) Yashovarman established sway over The of Ahichchhatra had a powerful Kannauj. In alliance with Lalitaditya Muktapith of kingdom which probably extended upto Mathura. Kashmir, he defended India from Arab's attack. The entire area comprising Kumaon, Garhwal, During that time there was a fear among the Kullu, and Simla hills formed the kingdom of neighbouring states due to Arabs strength, by Kunindas (Uttarakhand). Kaushambi (Kosam near which they ruled from China Turkistan to Carboda Allahabad) probably was the independent state. city of Spain. But they could not stay in India due Guptas emerged from Magadh. to Kannauj. Later on Muktapith and Yashovarman With the advent of the Guptas in 4th century could not stay in alliance. The successor of A.D. Political unity was again restored in India Yashovarman could not face the joint attack of Pal and during two centuries of their rule Madhya Naresh of Bengal and Rashtrakuts Samrat of Desh (Uttar Pradesh) shared general peace and Maharashtra, which resulted in the fall of Kannauj. prosperity with other regions. Chandra Gupta I Due to the later Avadh rulers, Kannauj became a solidified his state after he had married the bone of contention between Palas of Bengal, daughter of Lichchhiwi dynasty, because powerful Rashtrakuts of South and Gurjar Pratihar of Lichchhiwi had control over Bihar and Nepal. Western India but ultimately the Gurjars Pratihar Chandra Gupta kingdom was extended upto were successful they held sway over North India Allahabad, Avadh and South Bihar. The power of during the whole of the 9th and 10th centuries. Nagas did not reduce the Ganga-Yamuna valley. They were vanquished by Mahmud of Ghazni in During the regime of Chandra Gupta II Fahien, 1018-19 A.D. The Chandel ruler of Jeijak Bhukti the Chinese traveller was impressed with the glory or the present Bundelkhand successfully met the of the Guptas, the way in which Gupta rule over onslaught of Mahmud of Ghazni thanks to their the Madhya Desh and Kindness of the people of fortress at Kalinger. the state. Mathura and Varanasi were at top of Gurjar Pratihar emperors were very brave. glory in Gupta period. Fahien in his travel They were patrons and protectors of Art, Litera- memories India has described the rich life of the ture and Culture. Mihir Bhoj, Mahipal and people of Uttar Pradesh. After the decline of Mahendrapal were famous kings, they ruled over Guptas empire the power again decentralized in Multan and Saurashtra in West, Bihar in the East the state. and Vindhyachal mountain in the South. But this prosperity could not remain long in After the decline of Pratihars, the anarchy White Uttar Pradesh. In 484 A.D. the of once again gripped Madhya Desh. Two new North West China under the leadership of Torman dynasties one in south and the other in Eastern and Mihirkul destroyed the Iranian empire, Uttar Pradesh emerged. One of them was attacked Mathura, Kannauj, and Kaushambi and Chandelas of Mahoba, who ruled over 400 years. burnt these cities and grandeur of these cities The famous temples of Khajurao were built during totally vanished. Parwati Gupta, the king of the regime of these Chandels. The other dynasty Patliputra could not save these areas. At this time was Gaharwar. During their regime again peace A Morwatti Inshan Burman emperor started battle and order were established in this region. against Huns, after defeating him, the Huns were Govindchand (1104–1154) and Jaichand (1170– removed from India. At this time Kannauj was 1193) were the two prominent Gaharwar rulers. again made the capital of Madhya Desh. Due to the short-sightedness of Jaichand, Chauhan For some time the Mokherians of Kannauj King Prithviraj had to face defeat at the hands of ruled over the major part of Madhya Desh, later Mohammad Gori at the battle of Tarain in 1192 on Harshvardhan, the king of Thaneshwar ruled A.D. and he himself was defeated and slain at over here. Thus, the dynasty of Thaneshwar and Chhandwar in Etawah next year. Slowly the Kannauj joined hands and Kannauj became the Madhya Desh reached under the control of Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge

30% OFF

Publisher : Upkar Prakashan ISBN : 9788174824080 Author : Dr C L Khanna

Type the URL : http://www.kopykitab.com/product/10395

Get this eBook