Uttar Pradesh#Divisions, districts and cities

{{main|History of Uttar Pradesh}}

Modern human hunter-gatherers have been in Uttar Pradesh{{Cite book |last=Virendra N. Misra, Peter Bellwood |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gMoJj-0Z94UC&pg=PA69 |title=Recent Advances in Indo-Pacific Prehistory: proceedings of the international symposium held at Poona |year=1985 |isbn=9004075127 |page=69 | publisher=BRILL |access-date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303134041/https://books.google.com/books?id=gMoJj-0Z94UC&pg=PA69 |archive-date=3 March 2018 |url-status=live}}{{Cite book |last=Bridget Allchin, Frank Raymond Allchin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r4s-YsP6vcIC&pg=PA58 |title=The Rise of Civilization in India and Pakistan |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1982 |isbn=052128550X |page=58 |access-date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325035117/https://books.google.com/books?id=r4s-YsP6vcIC&pg=PA58 |archive-date=25 March 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite book |last1=Hasmukhlal Dhirajlal Sankalia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=35DP1Z-2dnYC&pg=PA96 |title=Studies in Indian Archaeology: Professor H.D. Sankalia Felicitation Volume |last2=Shantaram Bhalchandra Deo |last3=Madhukar Keshav Dhavalikar |date=1985 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |isbn=978-0861320882 |page=96 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324205017/https://books.google.com/books?id=35DP1Z-2dnYC&pg=PA96 |archive-date=24 March 2017 |url-status=live}} since between aroundConfidence limits for the age are 85 (±11) and 72 (±8) thousand years ago. 85,000 and 72,000 years ago. There have also been prehistorical finds in the state from the Middle and Upper Paleolithic dated to 21,000–31,000 years old{{Cite journal |last1=Gibling |first1=Sinha |last2=Sinha |first2=Roy |last3=Roy |first3=Tandon |last4=Tandon |first4=Jain |last5=Jain |first5=M |year=2008 |title=Quaternary fluvial and eolian deposits on the Belan river, India: paleoclimatic setting of Paleolithic to Neolithic archeological sites over the past 85,000 years |journal=Quaternary Science Reviews |volume=27 |issue=3–4 |page=391 |bibcode=2008QSRv...27..391G |doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2007.11.001 |s2cid=129392697|issn=0277-3791}} and Mesolithic/Microlithic hunter-gatherer settlement, near Pratapgarh, from around 10550–9550 BCE. Villages with domesticated cattle, sheep, and goats and evidence of agriculture began as early as 6000 BCE, and gradually developed between c. 4000 and 1500 BCE beginning with the Indus Valley Civilisation and Harappa culture to the Vedic period and extending into the Iron Age.{{Cite book |last=Kenneth A. R. Kennedy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W6zQHNavWlsC&pg=PA263 |title=God-apes and Fossil Men |publisher=University of Michigan Press |year=2000 |isbn=0472110136 |page=263 |access-date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324214237/https://books.google.com/books?id=W6zQHNavWlsC&pg=PA263 |archive-date=24 March 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite book |last=Bridget Allchin, Frank Raymond Allchin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r4s-YsP6vcIC&pg=PA119 |title=The Rise of Civilization in India and Pakistan |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1982 |isbn=052128550X |page=119 |access-date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303134041/https://books.google.com/books?id=r4s-YsP6vcIC&pg=PA119 |archive-date=3 March 2018 |url-status=live}}{{Cite journal |last=Misra |first=V N |date=November 2001 |title=Prehistoric human colonization of India |url=http://www.ias.ac.in/describe/article/jbsc/026/04/0491-0531 |url-status=live |journal=Journal of Biosciences |publisher=Indian Academy of Sciences |volume=26 |pages=491–531 |doi=10.1007/bf02704749 |pmid=11779962 |s2cid=26248907 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007171203/http://www.ias.ac.in/describe/article/jbsc/026/04/0491-0531 |archive-date=7 October 2017 |access-date=19 September 2017 |number=4 Supp}}

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| caption1 = Kausambi fort walls from Period I with burnt brick revetment, 1025–700 BCE, PGW culture. Weeping holes at the base can be clearly observed.

| image2 = Dhamek Stupta and the Ancient Buddhist Site at Sarnath.jpg

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| caption2 = The Dhamekh Stupa in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna.

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Out of the sixteen mahajanapadas ({{lit|great realms}}) or oligarchic republics that existed in ancient India, seven fell entirely within the present-day boundaries of the state.{{Cite web |title=Uttar Pradesh – History |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Uttar-Pradesh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401072447/https://www.britannica.com/place/Uttar-Pradesh |archive-date=1 April 2020 |access-date=12 January 2020 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica|quote=A systematic history of India and the area of Uttar Pradesh dates to the end of the 7th century BCE, when 16 mahajanapadas (great states) in northern India were contending for supremacy. Of those, seven fell entirely within the present-day boundaries of Uttar Pradesh.}} The kingdom of Kosala, in the Mahajanapada era, was also located within the regional boundaries of modern-day Uttar Pradesh.{{Cite book |last=Sailendra Nath Sen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA105 |title=Ancient Indian History And Civilization |publisher=New Age International |year=1999 |isbn=978-8122411980 |pages=105–106 |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528155843/http://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA105 |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} According to Hinduism, the divine King Rama of the Ramayana epic reigned in Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala.{{Cite book |last=William Buck |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vvuIp2kqIkMC |title=Ramayana |date=2000 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-8120817203 |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604213755/http://books.google.com/books?id=vvuIp2kqIkMC |archive-date=4 June 2013 |url-status=live}} Krishna, another divine king of Hindu legend, who plays a key role in the Mahabharata epic and is revered as the eighth reincarnation (Avatar) of the Hindu god Vishnu, is said to have been born in the city of Mathura. The aftermath of the Kurukshetra War is believed to have taken place in the area between the Upper Doab and Delhi, (in what was Kuru Mahajanapada), during the reign of the Pandava King Yudhishthira. The kingdom of the Kurus corresponds to the Black and Red Ware and Painted Gray Ware culture and the beginning of the Iron Age in northwest India, around 1000 BCE.

Control over Gangetic plains region was of vital importance to the power and stability of all of India's major empires, including the Maurya (320–200 BCE), Kushan (100–250 CE), Gupta (350–600), and Gurjara-Pratihara (650–1036) empires.{{Cite book |last=Richard White |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fHLfiOZVzmMC |title=The Middle Ground: Indians, Empires, and Republics in the Great Lakes Region, 1650–1815 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-1107005624 |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528145049/http://books.google.com/books?id=fHLfiOZVzmMC |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} Following the Huns' invasions that broke the Gupta empire, the Ganges-Yamuna Doab saw the rise of Kannauj.{{Cite book |last=Marshall Cavendish Corporation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V1pQkwIXTG0C&pg=PA331 |title=World and Its Peoples: Eastern and Southern Asia |date=2007 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |isbn=978-0761476313 |pages=331–335 |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605122741/http://books.google.com/books?id=V1pQkwIXTG0C&pg=PA331 |archive-date=5 June 2013 |url-status=live}} During the reign of Harshavardhana (590–647), the Kannauj empire reached its zenith. It spanned from Punjab in the north and Gujarat in the west to Bengal in the east and Odisha in the south. It included parts of central India, north of the Narmada River and it encompassed the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain. Many communities in various parts of India claim descent from the migrants of Kannauj. Soon after Harshavardhana's death, his empire disintegrated into many kingdoms, which were invaded and ruled by the Gurjara-Pratihara empire, which challenged Bengal's Pala Empire for control of the region.{{Cite book |last=Pran Nath Chopra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gE7udqBkACwC&pg=PA196 |title=A Comprehensive History of Ancient India |date=2003 |publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd |isbn=978-8120725034 |page=196 |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528140148/http://books.google.com/books?id=gE7udqBkACwC&pg=PA196 |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} Kannauj was several times invaded by the South Indian Rashtrakuta dynasty, from the 8th century to the 10th century.The History of India by Kenneth Pletcher p. 102The City in South Asia by James Heitzman p. 37 After the fall of the Pala empire, the Chero dynasty ruled from the 12th century to the 18th century.{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Pradyuman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=399UDwAAQBAJ&q=chero+dynasty&pg=PT71 |title=Bihar General Knowledge Digest |date=19 January 2021 |publisher=Prabhat Prakashan |isbn=978-9352667697}}

Uttar Pradesh was partially or entirely ruled by the Delhi Sultanate for 320 years (1206–1526). Five dynasties ruled over the Delhi Sultanate sequentially: the Mamluk dynasty (1206–90), the Khalji dynasty (1290–1320), the Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414), the Sayyid dynasty (1414–51), and the Lodi dynasty (1451–1526).* {{Cite book |last=Srivastava |first=Ashirvadi Lal |url=https://archive.org/stream/sultanateofdelhi001929mbp#page/n5/mode/2up |title=The Sultanate of Delhi 711–1526 A D |publisher=Shiva Lal Agarwala & Company |year=1929 |author-link=Ashirbadi Lal Srivastava |access-date=29 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408110410/https://archive.org/stream/sultanateofdelhi001929mbp#page/n5/mode/2up |archive-date=8 April 2016 |url-status=live}}{{Cite book |last1=Islam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=18eABeokpjEC&pg=PA269 |title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia |last2=Bosworth |publisher=UNESCO |year=1998 |isbn=978-9231034671 |pages=269–291 |access-date=21 May 2020 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328162944/https://books.google.com/books?id=18eABeokpjEC&pg=PA269#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}

The first Sultan of Delhi, Qutb ud-Din Aibak, conquered some parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Meerut, Aligarh, and Etawah. His successor, Iltutmish, expanded the Sultanate's rule over Uttar Pradesh by defeating the King of Kannauj. During the reign of Sultan Balban, the Mamluk dynasty faced numerous rebellions in the state, but he was able to suppress them and establish his authority. Alauddin Khilji, extended his conquests to various regions in the state, including Varanasi and Prayagraj. Apart from the rulers, the Delhi Sultanate era also saw the growth of Sufism in Uttar Pradesh. Sufi saints, such as Nizamuddin Auliya and Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, lived during this period and their teachings had a significant impact on the people of the region. Sultanat era in the state also witnessed the construction of mosques and tombs, including the Atala Masjid in Jaunpur, the Jama Masjid in Fatehpur Sikri, and the Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq's Tomb in Tughlaqabad.{{cite web | title=Atala Masjid | website=District Jaunpur, Government of Uttar Pradesh | date=20 June 2017 | url=https://jaunpur.nic.in/tourist-place/atala-masjid/ | access-date=6 May 2024}}{{cite web | last=Datta | first=Rangan | title=The tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq | website=Telegraph India | date=22 July 2022 | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/exploring-the-tomb-of-ghiyasuddin-tughlaq-near-tughlaqabad-fort-in-south-delhi/cid/1875958 | access-date=6 May 2024}}

In the 16th century, Babur, a Timurid descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan from Fergana Valley (modern-day Uzbekistan), swept across the Khyber Pass and founded the Mughal Empire, covering India, along with modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.{{Cite web |title=The Islamic World to 1600: Rise of the Great Islamic Empires (The Mughal Empire) |url=https://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/islam/empires/mughals/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927121217/http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/islam/empires/mughals/ |archive-date=27 September 2011}} The Mughals were descended from Persianised Central Asian Turks (with significant Mongol admixture). In the Mughal era, Uttar Pradesh became the heartland of the empire.{{Cite book |last=John Stewart Bowman |url=https://archive.org/details/columbiachronolo00john |title=Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0231110044 |page=[https://archive.org/details/columbiachronolo00john/page/273 273] |access-date=2 August 2012 |url-access=registration}} Mughal emperors Babur and Humayun ruled from Delhi.{{Cite book |last=Annemarie Schimmel |url=https://archive.org/details/empireofgreatmug00anne |title=The Empire of the Great Mughals: History, Art and Culture |date=2004 |publisher=Reaktion Books |isbn=978-1861891853 |access-date=1 October 2012 |url-access=registration}}{{Cite book |last1=Babur (Emperor of Hindustan) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VW2HJL689wgC |title=Babur Nama: Journal of Emperor Babur |last2=Dilip Hiro |date=2006 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0144001491 |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528160214/http://books.google.com/books?id=VW2HJL689wgC |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} In 1540 an Afghan, Sher Shah Suri, took over the reins of Uttar Pradesh after defeating the Mughal King Humanyun.{{Cite book |last=Carlos Ramirez-Faria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gGKsS-9h4BYC&pg=PA171 |title=Concise Encyclopedia of World History |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |year=2007 |isbn=978-8126907755 |page=171 |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528155918/http://books.google.com/books?id=gGKsS-9h4BYC&pg=PA171 |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} Sher Shah and his son Islam Shah ruled Uttar Pradesh from their capital at Gwalior.{{Cite book |last=Stronge |first=Susan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PVrSYgEACAAJ&q=hindustan+by+mughal |title=Mughal Hindustan is renowned for its opulence |publisher=The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms |year=2012 |isbn=9788174366962 |location=London |page=255 |access-date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216115741/https://books.google.com/books?id=PVrSYgEACAAJ&dq=hindustan+by+mughal |archive-date=16 February 2017 |url-status=live}} After the death of Islam Shah Suri, his prime minister Hemu became the de facto ruler of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and the western parts of Bengal. He was bestowed the title of Hemchandra Vikramaditya (title of Vikramāditya adopted from Vedic period) at his formal coronation took place at Purana Qila in Delhi on 7 October 1556. A month later, Hemu died in the Second Battle of Panipat, and Uttar Pradesh came under Emperor Akbar's rule.{{Cite book |last=Ashvini Agrawal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AZdCrUxFAHEC&pg=PA30 |title=Studies in Mughal History |date=1983 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-8120823266 |pages=30–46 |access-date=27 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528153902/http://books.google.com/books?id=AZdCrUxFAHEC&pg=PA30 |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} Akbar ruled from Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.Fergus Nicoll, Shah Jahan: The Rise and Fall of the Mughal Emperor (2009)

In the 18th century, after the fall of Mughal authority, the power vacuum was filled by the Maratha Empire, in the mid-18th century, the Maratha army invaded the Uttar Pradesh region, which resulted in Rohillas losing control of Rohilkhand to the Maratha forces led by Raghunath Rao and Malha Rao Holkar. The conflict between Rohillas and Marathas came to an end on 18 December 1788 with the arrest of Ghulam Qadir, the grandson of Najeeb-ud-Daula, who was defeated by the Maratha general Mahadaji Scindia. In 1803–04, following the Second Anglo-Maratha War, when the British East India Company defeated the Maratha Empire, much of the region came under British suzerainty.{{Cite book |last=Mayaram |first=Shail |title=Against history, against state: counterperspectives from the margins Cultures of history |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0231127318}}

{{Infobox

| above = Timeline of reorganisation and name changes of UP{{Cite web |date=3 May 2017 |title=Uttar Pradesh Day: How the state was born 67 years back |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/uttar-pradesh-day-how-the-state-was-born-67-years-back/story-Y2JhCTBIo2UuQYvQSTBNgN.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503114407/http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/uttar-pradesh-day-how-the-state-was-born-67-years-back/story-Y2JhCTBIo2UuQYvQSTBNgN.html |archive-date=3 May 2017 |access-date=3 May 2017}}

| label2 = 1807

| data2 = Ceded and Conquered Provinces

| label3 = 14 November 1834

| data3 = Presidency of Agra

| label4 = 1 January 1836

| data4 = North-Western Provinces

| label5 = 3 April 1858

| data5 = Oudh taken under British control, Delhi taken away from NWP and merged into Punjab

| label6 = 1 April 1871

| data6 = Ajmer, Merwara & Kekri made separate commissioner-ship

| label7 = 15 February 1877

| data7 = Oudh added to North-Western Provinces

| label8 = 22 March 1902

| data8 = Renamed United Provinces of Agra and Oudh

| label9 = 3 January 1921

| data9 = Renamed United Provinces of British India

| label10 = 1 April 1937

| data10 = Renamed United Provinces

| label11 = 1 April 1946

| data11 = Self rule granted

| label12 = 15 August 1947

| data12 = Part of independent India

| label13 = 24 January 1950

| data13 = Renamed Uttar Pradesh

| label14 = 9 November 2000

| data14 = Uttaranchal state, now known as Uttarakhand, created from part of Uttar Pradesh

}}

Starting from Bengal in the second half of the 18th century, a series of battles for north Indian lands finally gave the British East India Company accession over the state's territories.{{Cite book |last=Gyanesh Kudaisya |title=Region, nation, "heartland": Uttar Pradesh in India's body-politic |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |year=1994 |isbn=978-3825820978 |pages=126–376}} Ajmer and Jaipur kingdoms were also included in this northern territory, which was named the "North-Western Provinces" (of Agra). Although UP later became the fifth-largest state of India, NWPA was one of the smallest states of the British Indian empire.{{Cite book |last=K. Sivaramakrishnan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TM7oYBG4M04C&pg=PA240 |title=Modern Forests: Statemaking and Environmental Change in Colonial Eastern India |publisher=Stanford University Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0804745567 |pages=240–276 |access-date=26 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528135332/http://books.google.com/books?id=TM7oYBG4M04C&pg=PA240 |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} Its capital shifted twice between Agra and Allahabad.{{Cite book |last=Ashutosh Joshi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UFaGME0XDBkC&q=Naini&pg=PA151 |title=Town Planning Regeneration of Cities |publisher=New India Publishing |year=2008 |isbn=978-8189422820 |page=237 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303134041/https://books.google.com/books?id=UFaGME0XDBkC&pg=PA151&dq=Naini&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CN7OUsznI8yTrgeDwYDgCw&ved=0CDEQ6AEwATgU#v=onepage&q=Allahabad%20capital&f=false |archive-date=3 March 2018 |url-status=live}}

Due to dissatisfaction with British rule, a serious rebellion erupted in various parts of North India, which became known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857; Bengal regiment's sepoy stationed at Meerut cantonment, Mangal Pandey, is widely considered as its starting point.{{Cite book |last=Rudrangshu Mukherjee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SluAAAAMAAJ |title=Mangal Pandey: brave martyr or accidental hero? |publisher=Penguin Books |year=2005 |isbn=978-0143032564 |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605164801/http://books.google.com/books?id=-SluAAAAMAAJ |archive-date=5 June 2013 |url-status=live}} After the revolt failed, the British divided the most rebellious regions by reorganising their administrative boundaries, splitting the Delhi region from 'NWFP of Agra' and merging it with Punjab Province, while the Ajmer–Marwar region was merged with Rajputana and Oudh was incorporated into the state. The new state was called the North Western Provinces of Agra and Oudh, which in 1902 was renamed as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh.{{Cite book |last1=United Provinces of Agra and Oudh (India) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VUNuAAAAMAAJ |title=District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh: supp.D.Pilibhit District |last2=D.L. Drake-Brockman |publisher=Supdt., Government Press, United Provinces |year=1934 |access-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528131217/http://books.google.com/books?id=VUNuAAAAMAAJ |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} It was commonly referred to as the United Provinces or its acronym UP.{{Cite book |last=Dilip K. Chakrabarti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ADZuAAAAMAAJ |title=Colonial Indology: sociopolitics of the ancient Indian past |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. |year=1997 |isbn=978-8121507509 |location=Michigan |page=257 |access-date=26 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528140749/http://books.google.com/books?id=ADZuAAAAMAAJ |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}}{{Cite book |last=Bernard S. Cohn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uIalYaenrTkC |title=Colonialism and Its Forms of Knowledge: The British in India |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0691000435 |page=189 |access-date=26 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528150524/http://books.google.com/books?id=uIalYaenrTkC |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}}

In 1920, the capital of the province was shifted from Allahabad to Lucknow.{{Cite book |last=Clare M. Wilkinson-Weber |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ChwRC6hQttoC&pg=PA18 |title=Embroidering Lives: Women's Work and Skill in the Lucknow Embroidery Industry |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0791440872 |page=18 |access-date=24 May 2020 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328164501/https://books.google.com/books?id=ChwRC6hQttoC&pg=PA18#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }} The high court continued to be at Allahabad, but a bench was established at Lucknow.{{Cite web |last=Mathur |first=Prakash Narain |title=A History of the Lucknow Bench Of The Allahabad High Court |url=http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/event/AHistoryLucknowBenchPNMathur.pdf |access-date=24 May 2020 |publisher=Allahabad High Court |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224172749/http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/event/AHistoryLucknowBenchPNMathur.pdf |url-status=live }} Allahabad continues to be an important administrative base of today's Uttar Pradesh and has several administrative headquarters.{{Cite book |last=K. Balasankaran Nair |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gujNYPcNETMC |title=Law of Contempt of Court in India |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |year=2004 |isbn=978-8126903597 |page=320 |access-date=26 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528143730/http://books.google.com/books?id=gujNYPcNETMC |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}} Uttar Pradesh continued to be central to Indian politics and was especially important in modern Indian history as a hotbed of the Indian independence movement. The state hosted modern educational institutions such as the Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University and Darul Uloom Deoband. Nationally known figures such as Ram Prasad Bismil and Chandra Shekhar Azad were among the leaders of the movement in Uttar Pradesh, and Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malaviya and Govind Ballabh Pant were important national leaders of the Indian National Congress. The All India Kisan Sabha was formed at the Lucknow session of the Congress on 11 April 1936, with the famous nationalist Sahajanand Saraswati elected as its first president,{{Cite book |last=Śekhara |first=Bandyopādhyāya |title=From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India |publisher=Orient Longman |year=2004 |isbn=978-8125025962 |page=407}} to address the longstanding grievances of the peasantry and mobilise them against the zamindari landlords attacks on their occupancy rights, thus sparking the Farmers movements in India.{{Cite book |last=Bandyopādhyāya |first=Śekhara |title=From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India |publisher=Orient Longman |year=2004 |isbn=978-8125025962 |page=406}} During the Quit India Movement of 1942, Ballia district overthrew the colonial authority and installed an independent administration under Chittu Pandey. Ballia became known as "Baghi Ballia" (Rebel Ballia) for this significant role in India's independence movement.{{Cite book |last=Bankim Chandra Chatterji |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Gmjn63ogDUC |title=Anandamath |publisher=Orient Paperbacks |year=2006 |isbn=978-8122201307 |page=168 |access-date=26 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528130144/http://books.google.com/books?id=7Gmjn63ogDUC |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}}

After India's independence, the United Provinces were renamed "Uttar Pradesh" ({{Lit|northern province}}), preserving UP as the abbreviation of the state's name,{{Cite web |title=Uttar Pradesh – States and Union Territories |url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/knowindia/state_uts.php?id=28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715014814/http://www.archive.india.gov.in/knowindia/state_uts.php?id=28 |archive-date=15 July 2015 |access-date=14 July 2015 |website=Know India: National Portal of India}}{{Cite web |date=22 August 2007 |title=Uttar Pradesh |url=http://www.whatisindia.com/issues/uttarpra/uttar_general.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012021112/http://www.whatisindia.com/issues/uttarpra/uttar_general.html |archive-date=12 October 2016 |access-date=8 October 2016 |publisher=What is India}} with the change coming into effect on 24 January 1950. The new state was formed after the merger of several princely states and territories, including the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, and the Delhi territory. The state has provided nine of India's prime ministers which is more than any other state and is the source of the largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha. Despite its political influence since ancient times, its poor record in economic development and administration, poor governance, organised crime and corruption have kept it among India's backward states. The state has been affected by repeated episodes of caste-related and communal violence.{{Cite news |date=6 August 2014 |title=Communal violence |work=Business Standard |publisher=Ananda Publishers |agency=Kotak Mahindra Bank |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/uttar-pradesh-tops-home-ministry-list-on-communal-violence-114080601639_1.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115034/http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/uttar-pradesh-tops-home-ministry-list-on-communal-violence-114080601639_1.html |archive-date=26 August 2014}} In December 1992 the disputed Babri Mosque located in Ayodhya was demolished by Hindu activists, leading to widespread violence across India.{{Cite news |last=communal violence |first=in uttar pradesh |title=Communal conflicts in state |work=Tehalka |url=http://www.tehelka.com/what-led-to-the-muzaffarnagar-communal-riots/ |url-status=dead |access-date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112232933/http://www.tehelka.com/what-led-to-the-muzaffarnagar-communal-riots/ |archive-date=12 January 2014}} In 2000, northern districts of the state were separated to form the state of Uttarakhand.{{Cite book |last1=J. C. Aggarwal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=alRh51xE_v0C&pg=PA391 |title=Uttarakhand: Past, Present, and Future |last2=S. P. Agrawal |date=1995 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company of India |isbn=978-8170225720 |page=391 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324171535/https://books.google.com/books?id=alRh51xE_v0C&pg=PA391 |archive-date=24 March 2017 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Geography of Uttar Pradesh}}

File:Indo-Gangetic Plain.jpg

Uttar Pradesh, with a total area of {{convert|240928|km2|sqmi|0}}, is India's fourth-largest state in terms of land area and is roughly of same size as United Kingdom. It is situated on the northern spout of India and shares an international boundary with Nepal. The Himalayas border the state on the north,{{Cite web |title=Most critical factors |url=http://upenvis.nic.in/Database/Land_830.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215063439/http://upenvis.nic.in/Database/Land_830.aspx |archive-date=15 December 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Uttar Pradesh climate department}} but the plains that cover most of the state are distinctly different from those high mountains.{{Cite web |title=Uttar Pradesh Geography |url=http://www.uponline.in/About/Profile/Geography/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723070728/http://www.uponline.in/About/Profile/geography/index.html |archive-date=23 July 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Uttar Pradesh State Profile}} The larger Gangetic Plain region is in the north; it includes the Ganges-Yamuna Doab, the Ghaghra plains, the Ganges plains and the Terai.{{Cite web |title=The larger Gangetic Plain |url=http://www.gecafs.org/publications/Publications/IGP_Paper.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226202743/http://www.gecafs.org/publications/Publications/IGP_Paper.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2013 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Gecafs}} The smaller Vindhya Range and plateau region are in the south.{{Cite web |title=Gangetic Plains and Vindhya Hills and plateau. |url=http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/up/profile.html/2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406104938/http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/up/profile.html/2 |archive-date=6 April 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Zee news}} It is characterised by hard rock strata and a varied topography of hills, plains, valleys and plateaus. The Bhabhar tract gives place to the terai area which is covered with tall elephant grass and thick forests interspersed with marshes and swamps.{{Cite news |last=Anwar |first=Shakeel |date=16 August 2018 |title=List of major canals and dams in Uttar Pradesh |work=Dainik Jagran |agency=Jagran Prakashan Limited |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-major-canals-and-dams-in-uttar-pradesh-1534427496-1 |access-date=21 June 2020 |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622130821/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-major-canals-and-dams-in-uttar-pradesh-1534427496-1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Indo–African Journal for Resource Management |url=http://thehaider.com/4.2.1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401145006/https://thehaider.com/4.2.1.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2022 |access-date=21 June 2020 |publisher=Indo–African Journal for Resource Management and Planning}} The sluggish rivers of the bhabhar deepen in this area, their course running through a tangled mass of thick undergrowth. The terai runs parallel to the bhabhar in a thin strip. The entire alluvial plain is divided into three sub-regions.{{Cite news |last=Anwar |first=Shakeel |title=The Great Plains of India |work=Jagran Josh |publisher=Dainik Jagran |agency=Jagran Prakashan Private Limited |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/the-great-plains-of-india-1448281967-1 |url-status=live |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121224151/http://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/the-great-plains-of-india-1448281967-1 |archive-date=21 November 2017}} 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.{{Cite journal |last=Clift |first=Charles |year=1977 |title=Progress of Irrigation in Uttar Pradesh: East-West Differences |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4365953 |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |publisher=JSTOR |volume=12 |issue=39 |pages=A83–A90 |jstor=4365953 |access-date=19 October 2021 |archive-date=30 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030043546/https://www.jstor.org/stable/4365953 |url-status=live }} They suffer from waterlogging and large-scale user tracts.{{Cite book |last=R P Meena |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2fQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT6 |title=Uttar Pradesh Current Affairs Yearbook 2020 |publisher=New Era Publication |page=6 |id=GGKEY:XTXLJ8SQZFE |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328164948/https://books.google.com/books?id=I2fQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT6#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }} In addition, the area is fairly arid. The state has more than 32 large and small rivers; of them, the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Betwa, and Ghaghara are larger and of religious importance in Hinduism.{{Cite news |title=Rivers of Uttar Pradesh |work=The Economic Times |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topiclist/Rivers-of-Uttar-Pradesh |url-status=live |access-date=22 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507013021/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topiclist/Rivers-of-Uttar-Pradesh |archive-date=7 May 2013}}

Cultivation is intensive in the state.{{Cite web |title=The Glossary of Meteorology |url=http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/preface2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005143046/http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/preface2 |archive-date=5 October 2012 |access-date=23 July 2012 |publisher=Allen Press Inc.}} Uttar Pradesh falls under three agro-climatic zones viz. Middle Gangetic Plains region (Zone–IV), Upper Gangetic Plains region (Zone–V) and Central Plateau and Hills region (Zone–VIII).{{Cite web |title=Agriculture Mechanization Guide for Uttar Pradesh |url=https://www.farmech.dac.gov.in/FarmerGuide/UP/index1.html#:~:text=The%20total%20geographical%20area%20of,68.5%25%20of%20cultivable%20area). |access-date=16 May 2021 |publisher=Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516065713/https://www.farmech.dac.gov.in/FarmerGuide/UP/index1.html#:~:text=The%20total%20geographical%20area%20of,68.5%25%20of%20cultivable%20area). |url-status=live }} The valley areas have fertile and rich soil. There is intensive cultivation on terraced hill slopes, but irrigation facilities are deficient.{{Cite web |title=Potential Creation and Utilisation |url=http://irrigation.up.nic.in/aboutus_irrigation_potential.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213084300/http://irrigation.up.nic.in/aboutus_irrigation_potential.htm |archive-date=13 February 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Irrigation department U.P}} The Siwalik Range which forms the southern foothills of the Himalayas, slopes down into a boulder bed called 'bhabhar'.{{Cite web |title=Purports to define every important meteorological term likely to be found in the literature today. |url=http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/preface1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712214139/http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/preface1 |archive-date=12 July 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Allen Press, Inc.}} 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.{{Cite book |last=Vir Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SX7ML4-0oGQC&pg=PA102 |title=Mountain Ecosystems: A Scenario of Unsustainability |publisher=Indus Publishing |year=1998 |isbn=978-8173870811 |pages=102–264 |access-date=27 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528155028/http://books.google.com/books?id=SX7ML4-0oGQC&pg=PA102 |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Climate of Uttar Pradesh}}

File:Sunset in Indirapuram Uttar Pradesh.jpg]]

Uttar Pradesh has a humid subtropical climate and experiences four seasons. The winter in January and February is followed by summer between March and May and the monsoon season between June and September.{{Cite web |title=Climate change impacts |url=http://upenvis.nic.in/Database/Climate_861.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115211430/http://upenvis.nic.in/Database/Climate_861.aspx |archive-date=15 November 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Uttar Pradesh climate department}} Summers are extreme with temperatures fluctuating anywhere between {{Convert|0-50|C|F}} in parts of the state coupled with dry hot winds called the Loo.{{Citation |last=S.V.S. Rana |title=Essentials of Ecology and Environmental Science |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IAPKG4LEBbQC |year=2007 |publisher=Prentice Hall of India |isbn=978-81-203-3300-0}} The Gangetic plain varies from semiarid to sub-humid. The mean annual rainfall ranges from {{Convert|650|mm|in|abbr=in}} in the southwest corner of the state to {{Convert|1000|mm|in|abbr=in}} in the eastern and south eastern parts of the state.{{Cite web |last=Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow |first=Irrigation Department Uttar Pradesh |title=Average rainfall pattern of Uttar Pradesh |url=http://idup.gov.in/wps/portal/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3ifUEcnYzdTEwMLVy8TA89gU38XT-8AIwM3A_2CbEdFAHA_W1g! |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824174636/http://idup.gov.in/wps/portal/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3ifUEcnYzdTEwMLVy8TA89gU38XT-8AIwM3A_2CbEdFAHA_W1g! |archive-date=24 August 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Irrigation Department Uttar Pradesh}} Primarily a summer phenomenon, the Bay of Bengal branch of the Indian monsoon is the major bearer of rain in most parts of state. After summer it is the southwest monsoon which brings most of the rain here, while in winters rain due to the western disturbances and north-east monsoon also contribute small quantities towards the overall precipitation of the state.{{Cite book |last=Upkar Prakashan – Editorial Board |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ce8FpJzR-4C&pg=PA26 |title=Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge |publisher=Upkar Prakashan |year=2008 |isbn=978-8174824080 |pages=26– |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605095943/http://books.google.com/books?id=_ce8FpJzR-4C&pg=PA26 |archive-date=5 June 2013 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Sethi |first=Nitin |date=13 February 2007 |title=Met dept blames it on 'western disturbance' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Met-dept-blames-it-on-western-disturbance/articleshow/1600979.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811031649/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-02-13/india/27887812_1_met-dept-disturbance-rains |archive-date=11 August 2011}}

{{Weather box

|location = Uttar Pradesh

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan high C = 29.9

|Feb high C = 31.9

|Mar high C = 35.4

|Apr high C = 37.7

|May high C = 36.9

|Jun high C = 31.7

|Jul high C = 28.4

|Aug high C = 27.4

|Sep high C = 29.4

|Oct high C = 31.4

|Nov high C = 30.1

|Dec high C = 28.9

|year high C =

|Jan low C = 11.0

|Feb low C = 12.1

|Mar low C = 15.8

|Apr low C = 19.9

|May low C = 22.4

|Jun low C = 22.9

|Jul low C = 22.2

|Aug low C = 21.6

|Sep low C = 20.8

|Oct low C = 18.5

|Nov low C = 14.4

|Dec low C = 11.5

|year low C =

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 0

|Feb precipitation mm = 3

|Mar precipitation mm = 2

|Apr precipitation mm = 11

|May precipitation mm = 40

|Jun precipitation mm = 138

|Jul precipitation mm = 163

|Aug precipitation mm = 129

|Sep precipitation mm = 155

|Oct precipitation mm = 68

|Nov precipitation mm = 28

|Dec precipitation mm = 4

|year precipitation mm =

|Jan precipitation days = 0.1

|Feb precipitation days = 0.3

|Mar precipitation days = 0.3

|Apr precipitation days = 1.1

|May precipitation days = 3.3

|Jun precipitation days = 10.9

|Jul precipitation days = 17.0

|Aug precipitation days = 16.2

|Sep precipitation days = 10.9

|Oct precipitation days = 5.0

|Nov precipitation days = 2.4

|Dec precipitation days = 0.3

|Jan sun = 291.4

|Feb sun = 282.8

|Mar sun = 300.7

|Apr sun = 303.0

|May sun = 316.2

|Jun sun = 186.0

|Jul sun = 120.9

|Aug sun = 111.6

|Sep sun = 177.0

|Oct sun = 248.44

|Nov sun = 270.0

|Dec sun = 288.3

|year sun =

|source 1 ={{Cite web |date=21 May 2012 |title=Local Weather Report |url=http://125.21.185.44/citywx/city_weather1.php?id=42369 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501134209/http://125.21.185.44/citywx/city_weather1.php?id=42369 |archive-date=1 May 2012 |access-date=18 July 2012 |publisher=Local Weather Report and Forecast Department}}||date=June 2012

}}

The rain in Uttar Pradesh can vary from an annual average of {{Convert|170|cm|in|abbr=in}} in hilly areas to {{Convert|84|cm|in|abbr=in}} in Western Uttar Pradesh. Given the concentration of most of this rainfall in the four months of the monsoon, excess rain can lead to floods and shortage to droughts. As such, these two phenomena, floods and droughts, commonly recur in the state. The climate of the Vindhya Range and plateau is subtropical with a mean annual rainfall between {{Convert|1000 and 1200|mm|in|abbr=in}}, most of which comes during the monsoon. Typical summer months are from March to June, with maximum temperatures ranging from {{convert|30-38|C|F}}. There is a low relative humidity of around 20% and dust-laden winds blow throughout the season. In summer, hot winds called loo blow all across Uttar Pradesh.

{{See also|Pilibhit Tiger Reserve|Dudhwa National Park}}

Uttar Pradesh has an abundance of natural resources.{{Cite web |title=Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation |url=http://www.upforestcorporation.in/Default.aspx |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120145111/http://www.upforestcorporation.in/Default.aspx |archive-date=20 January 2013 |access-date=23 July 2012 |publisher=Forest department uttar pradesh}} In 2011, the recorded forest area in the state was {{convert|16583|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} which is about 6.9% of the state's geographical area.{{Cite web |title=Forest and tree resources in states and union territories: Uttar Pradesh |url=http://www.fsi.org.in/cover_2011/uttarapradesh.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107201030/http://www.fsi.org.in/cover_2011/uttarapradesh.pdf |archive-date=7 November 2013 |access-date=4 March 2012 |website=India state of forest report 2009 |publisher=Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India}} In spite of rapid deforestation and poaching of wildlife, a diverse flora and fauna continue to exist in the state. Uttar Pradesh is a habitat for 4.2% of all species of Algae recorded in India, 6.4% of Fungi, 6.0% of Lichens, 2.9% of Bryophytes, 3.3% of Pteridophytes, 8.7% of Gymnosperms, 8.1% of Angiosperms.{{Cite web |title=Floral and Faunal Diversity of Uttar Pradesh |url=http://www.upsbdb.org/diversity-of-up.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705034421/http://upsbdb.org/diversity-of-up.php |archive-date=5 July 2019 |access-date=22 May 2020 |publisher=Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board}} Several species of trees, large and small mammals, reptiles, and insects are found in the belt of temperate upper mountainous forests. Medicinal plants are found in the wild{{Cite web |title=Aegyptica |url=http://bsienvis.nic.in/medi.htm#Balanites |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506192204/http://bsienvis.nic.in/medi.htm |archive-date=6 May 2009 |access-date=21 September 2009 |publisher=Bsienvis.nic.in}} and are also grown in plantations. The Terai–Duar savanna and grasslands support cattle. Moist deciduous trees grow in the upper Gangetic plain, especially along its riverbanks. This plain supports a wide variety of plants and animals. The Ganges and its tributaries are the habitat of large and small reptiles, amphibians, fresh-water fish, and crabs. Scrubland trees such as the Babool (Vachellia nilotica) and animals such as the Chinkara (Gazella bennettii) are found in the arid Vindhyas.{{Cite web |title=Bird Sanctuary |url=http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/wild_life/wild_life.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704191031/http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/wild_life/wild_life.htm |archive-date=4 July 2012 |access-date=23 July 2012 |publisher=U.P tourism}}{{Cite web |title=Sanctuary Park in U.P |url=http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/wild_life/places_of_interest.htm#Suhelva |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718025605/http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/wild_life/places_of_interest.htm |archive-date=18 July 2012 |access-date=23 July 2012 |publisher=U.P tourism}} Tropical dry deciduous forests are found in all parts of the plains. Since much sunlight reaches the ground, shrubs and grasses are also abundant.{{Cite web |title=Few patches of natural forest |url=http://upgov.nic.in/upwealth.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520140217/http://upgov.nic.in/upwealth.aspx |archive-date=20 May 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=State government of Uttar Pradesh}} Large tracts of these forests have been cleared for cultivation. Tropical thorny forests, consisting of widely scattered thorny trees, mainly babool are mostly found in the southwestern parts of the state.{{Cite web |last=The Forests and biodiversity |first=in UP are important in many ways |title=Miscellaneous Statistics |url=http://upenvis.nic.in/Database/Forest_838.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115214704/http://upenvis.nic.in/Database/Forest_838.aspx |archive-date=15 November 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Ministry of Environment and Forests}}

Uttar Pradesh is known for its extensive avifauna.{{Cite web |title=Conservation of the Avifauna |url=http://ww.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/forktail/14pdfs/Javed-Dudwa.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/69LhYrtqy?url=http://ww.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/forktail/14pdfs/Javed-Dudwa.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2012 |access-date=20 July 2012 |publisher=Dudhwa National Park}} The most common birds which are found in the state are doves, peafowl, junglefowl, black partridges, house sparrows, songbirds, blue jays, parakeets, quails, bulbuls, comb ducks, kingfishers, woodpeckers, snipes, and parrots. Bird sanctuaries in the state include Bakhira Sanctuary, National Chambal Sanctuary, Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary, and Okhla Sanctuary.{{Cite web |title=Bakhira Bird Sanctuary |url=http://upforest.gov.in/StaticPages/bakhirabird_Home.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204170352/http://upforest.gov.in/StaticPages/bakhirabird_Home.aspx |archive-date=4 February 2017 |access-date=4 February 2017 |website=upforest.gov.in |publisher=UP Forest and Wildlife Department }}{{Cite web |title=National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary |url=http://nationalchambalsanctuary.in/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101110955/http://www.nationalchambalsanctuary.in/ |archive-date=1 January 2017 |access-date=4 February 2017 |publisher=National Chambal Sanctuary}}{{Cite web |title=Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary And Picnic Spots |url=http://www.uptourism.gov.in/pages/top/explore/top-explore-chandra-prabha |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204170953/http://www.uptourism.gov.in/pages/top/explore/top-explore-chandra-prabha |archive-date=4 February 2017 |access-date=4 February 2017 |website=uptourism.gov.in |publisher=Uttar Pradesh Tourism}}{{Cite web |title=Hastinapur Wild Life Sanctuary |url=http://upforest.gov.in/STATICpages/hastinapurwild_Home.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204170724/http://upforest.gov.in/STATICpages/hastinapurwild_Home.aspx |archive-date=4 February 2017 |access-date=4 February 2017 |website=upforest.gov.in |publisher=P Forest and Wildlife Department }}{{Cite web |title=Kaimoor Wild Life Sanctuary |url=http://upforest.gov.in/StaticPages/kaimoorwildlife_Home.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204171033/http://upforest.gov.in/StaticPages/kaimoorwildlife_Home.aspx |archive-date=4 February 2017 |access-date=4 February 2017 |website=upforest.gov.in |publisher=Forest and Wildlife Department Uttar Pradesh }}{{Cite web |title=Inside Okhla Bird Sanctuary |url=http://upforest.gov.in/STATICpages/okhlabird_Home.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204171135/http://upforest.gov.in/STATICpages/okhlabird_Home.aspx |archive-date=4 February 2017 |access-date=4 February 2017 |website=upforest.gov.in |publisher=UP Forest and Wildlife Department }}

Other animals in the state include reptiles such as lizards, cobras, kraits, and gharials. Among the wide variety of fishes, the most common ones are mahaseer and trout. Some animal species have gone extinct in recent years, while others, like the lion from the Gangetic Plain, the rhinoceros from the Terai region, Ganges river dolphin primarily found in the Ganges have become endangered.{{Cite book |last=S. K. Agarwal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0UeDTX6HEK8C&pg=PA61 |title=Environment Biotechnology |publisher=APH Publishing |year=1998 |isbn=978-8131302941 |page=61 |access-date=25 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523073400/http://books.google.com/books?id=0UeDTX6HEK8C&pg=PA61 |archive-date=23 May 2013 |url-status=live}} Many species are vulnerable to poaching despite regulation by the government.{{Cite web |title=Processing of manuscripts of Fauna |url=http://zsi.gov.in/right_menu/Annual%20Meeting/Annual%20Meeting%202011-12/HQ/Fauna.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505093620/http://zsi.gov.in/right_menu/Annual%20Meeting/Annual%20Meeting%202011-12/HQ/Fauna.pdf |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Indian Government}}

File:Anandabodhi.jpg|Anandabodhi tree (Ficus religiosa) in Jetavana Monastery, Sravasti

File:Tropaeolum majus.jpg|A hybrid nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) showing nectar spur, found mainly in Hardoi district

File:Ganges River Dolphin cropped.jpg|An endangered Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) lives in the Ganges river

File:Ganges calling.jpg|View of the Terai region

File:Gavialis gangeticus, ZOO Praha 045.jpg|The threatened Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a large fish-eating crocodilian found in the Ganges River

{{Anchor|Constituent regions}}{{Anchor|Regions and cities}}

{{clear}}

{{Main|Administrative divisions of Uttar Pradesh|List of districts of Uttar Pradesh|List of urban local bodies in Uttar Pradesh}}

{{See also|Western Uttar Pradesh|Eastern Uttar Pradesh|Central Uttar Pradesh}}

File:Uttar Pradesh administrative divisions.svg]]

Uttar Pradesh is divided into 75 districts under these 18 divisions:{{Cite web |title=State division of Uttar Pradesh |url=http://india.gov.in/knowindia/districts/andhra1.php?stateid=UP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510202421/http://india.gov.in/knowindia/districts/andhra1.php?stateid=UP |archive-date=10 May 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Government of India}}

The following is a list of top districts from state of Uttar Pradesh by population, ranked in respect of all India.{{Cite web |title=Indian Districts by population |url=http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611224943/http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php |archive-date=11 June 2011 |access-date=5 October 2012 |website=2011 Census of India}}

Each district is governed by a District Magistrate, who is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer appointed Government of Uttar Pradesh and reports to Divisional Commissioner of the division in which his district falls. The Divisional Commissioner is an IAS officer of high seniority. Each district is divided into subdivisions, governed by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate, and again into Blocks. Blocks consists of panchayats (village councils) and town municipalities.{{Cite web |year=1947 |title=Panchayati Raj Act, 1947 – Chapter 6 – The Nyaya Panchayat |url=http://panchayatiraj.up.nic.in/Acts%20And%20Rules%20Pdfs/Panchayat%20Raj%20Act_1947_ch6.57-70.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023420/http://panchayatiraj.up.nic.in/Acts%20And%20Rules%20Pdfs/Panchayat%20Raj%20Act_1947_ch6.57-70.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=13 September 2017 |website=Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Uttar Pradesh}} These blocks consists of urban units viz. census towns and rural units called gram panchayat.{{Cite web |year=1947 |title=Panchayati Raj Act, 1947 |url=http://panchayatiraj.up.nic.in/Acts%20And%20Rules%20Pdfs/Panchayat%20Raj%20Act_1947_ch4.38-50.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712165910/http://panchayatiraj.up.nic.in/Acts%20And%20Rules%20Pdfs/Panchayat%20Raj%20Act_1947_ch4.38-50.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2017 |access-date=16 August 2017 |website=Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Uttar Pradesh}}

Uttar Pradesh has more metropolitan cities than any other state in India.{{Cite news |date=30 August 2010 |title=Panels to draft development plans for 13 cities |work=The Indian Express |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/panels-to-draft-development-plans-for-13-cities/674326/ |access-date=13 July 2012}}{{Cite web |title=The area and density of metropolitan cities |url=http://urbanindia.nic.in/theministry/subordinateoff/tcpo/AREA_POP/CHAPTER-4.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015142027/http://urbanindia.nic.in/theministry/subordinateoff/tcpo/AREA_POP/CHAPTER-4.PDF |archive-date=15 October 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=The Ministry of Urban Development}} The absolute urban population of the state is 44.4 million, which constitutes 11.8% of the total urban population of India, the second-highest of any state.{{Cite web |title=Provisional population totals, Census of India 2011 |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/india/Rural_Urban_2011.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226224319/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/india/Rural_Urban_2011.pdf |archive-date=26 February 2012 |access-date=14 March 2012 |publisher=Census of India 2011 |page=19}} According to the 2011 census, there are 15 urban agglomerations with a population greater than 500,000.{{Cite web |title=Provisional population totals paper 1 of 2011 : Uttar Pradesh |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_up.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427103412/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_up.html |archive-date=27 April 2012 |access-date=23 July 2012 |publisher=Census of India 2011}} Uttar Pradesh has a complex system of municipalities. Nagar Nigam (Municipal Corporation) are urban local bodies in large cities such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi and cities having population more than 4 million.{{cite web | title=Seventy-fourth Constitutional Amendment | url=https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2021/5%20CHAPTER%20I-063076629450a19.40071813.pdf | access-date=21 April 2025}} These governed by a mayor and councilors elected from wards. Nagar Palika Parishad or Municipal Council, serves medium-sized towns like Bela Pratapgarh, Jalaun, or Bisalpur and are governed by a chairperson and councilors.{{cite web | title= THE UTTAR PRADESH MUNICIPALITIES ACT, 1916 | url=https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/16228/1/Municipality_1916.pdf | access-date=21 April 2025}} Nagar Panchayat which operate in smaller towns and semi-urban areas like Badlapur, Jaunpur, Bikapur, or Chilkana Sultanpur, are governed by a chairman and councilors. There are 14 Municipal Corporations,{{Cite web |year=1959 |title=Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959 |url=http://www.janaagraha.org/asics/report/Uttar-Pradesh-Uttarakhand-Municipal-Corporation-Act-1959.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816233237/http://www.janaagraha.org/asics/report/Uttar-Pradesh-Uttarakhand-Municipal-Corporation-Act-1959.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2017 |access-date=16 August 2017}}{{Cite web |year=1959 |title=Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959 |url=http://sec.up.nic.in/acts_rules/MUNICIPAL%20CORPORATION_1959_eng/Municipal_Corp_Act_1959_chap1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324141206/http://sec.up.nic.in/acts_rules/MUNICIPAL%20CORPORATION_1959_eng/Municipal_Corp_Act_1959_chap1.pdf |archive-date=24 March 2012 |access-date=17 August 2017 |website=Uttar Pradesh State Election Commission}} while Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Budha Nagar district are specially administered by statutory authorities under the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Act, 1976.{{Cite web |year=1976 |title=U.P. Industrial Development Act – 1976 (U.P. Act Number 6, of 1976) |url=http://www.noidaauthorityonline.com/UPIndAreaDevp.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812211441/http://www.noidaauthorityonline.com/UPIndAreaDevp.pdf |archive-date=12 August 2017 |access-date=13 August 2017 |website=Noida Authority Online}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.greaternoida.com/files/attachments/inddevact.pdf|title=U.P. Industrial Development Act – 1976 (U.P. Act Number 6, of 1976)|year=1976|website=Greater Noida Authority|access-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511075823/http://www.greaternoida.com/files/attachments/inddevact.pdf|archive-date=11 May 2015}}

In 2011, state's cabinet ministers headed by the then Chief Minister Mayawati announced the separation of Uttar Pradesh into four different states of Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Avadh Pradesh and Paschim Pradesh with twenty-eight, seven, twenty-three and seventeen districts, respectively, later the proposal was turned down when the Akhilesh Yadav–lead Samajwadi Party came to power in the 2012 election.{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2631472.ece | title=Maya splits U.P. poll scene wide open | newspaper=The Hindu | date=16 November 2011 | access-date=15 June 2013 | author=Khan, Atiq | location=Lucknow | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112191630/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2631472.ece | archive-date=12 January 2014}}

{{Main|Demographics of Uttar Pradesh}}

{{See also|List of people from Uttar Pradesh}}

{{

Pie chart|caption=Religion in Uttar Pradesh (2011){{cite news |last1=Number |first1=Religion |title=U.P religions by numbers |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/religious-communities-census-2011-what-the-numbers-say/article7582284.ece |access-date=29 March 2020 |work=The Hindu |agency=The Hindu Group |issue=26 August 2015 |publisher=N. Ravi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030444/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/religious-communities-census-2011-what-the-numbers-say/article7582284.ece |archive-date=15 November 2018 |url-status=live}}

|color8=black

|color7=chartreuse

|color6=gold

|color5=brown

|color4=blue

|color3=yellow

|color2=green

|color1=darkorange

|label8=Not stated

|label7=Other

|label6=Jainism

|label5=Buddhism

|label4=Christianity

|label3=Sikhism

|label2=Islam

|label1=Hinduism

|value8=0.29

|value7=0.01

|value6=0.11

|value5=0.10

|value4=0.18

|value3=0.32

|value2=19.26

|value1=79.73

|thumb=left

}}

{{Pie chart|value1=80.16|value2=10.93|value3=5.42|value4=1.9|label1=Hindi|label2=Bhojpuri|label3=Urdu|label4=Awadhi |color1=Orange|color2=gold |color3=green|color4=maroon |value5=0.3 |label5=Punjabi|color5=pink|caption=Languages of Uttar Pradesh from 2011 census{{cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language_MTs.html|title=Table C-16: Language by States and Union Territories – Uttar Pradesh|website=censusindia.gov.in|access-date=24 February 2021|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224155157/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language_MTs.html|url-status=live}}|value6=0.1|label6=Bengali|label7=Others|value7=1.19}}

Uttar Pradesh has a very large population and a high population growth rate. From 1991 to 2001 its population increased by over 26 per cent.{{cite web |title=The density of population in U.P. |url=http://upenvis.nic.in/Database/Overview_847.aspx |publisher=Environment and Related Issues Department U.P |access-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215062041/http://upenvis.nic.in/Database/Overview_847.aspx |archive-date=15 December 2012}} It is the most populous state in India, with 199,581,477 people on 1 March 2011.{{cite web|title=Provisional population totals|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/UP/7-pop-12-22.pdf|publisher=Census of India 2011|access-date=23 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207004512/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/UP/7-pop-12-22.pdf|archive-date=7 February 2013}} The state contributes to 16.2 per cent of India's population. As of 2021, the estimated population of the state is around 240 million people.{{cite news |last1=Rampal |first1=Nikhil |title=World population grew by a billion in past 12 yrs & 5% came from just UP & Bihar, data shows |url=https://theprint.in/india/world-population-hits-8-billion-india-highest-contributor-surpass-china-2023/1218281/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=ThePrint |agency=Printline Media Pvt. Ltd. |date=16 November 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501221830/https://theprint.in/india/world-population-hits-8-billion-india-highest-contributor-surpass-china-2023/1218281/ |url-status=live }} The population density is 828 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most densely populated states in the country.{{cite web|title=Statistics of Uttar Pradesh|url=http://www.up.gov.in/upstateglance.aspx|website=up.gov.in|publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh|access-date=12 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412224507/http://www.up.gov.in/upstateglance.aspx|archive-date=12 April 2017}} It has the largest scheduled caste population whereas scheduled tribes are less than 1 per cent of the total population.{{cite web |title=Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/Census_And_You/scheduled_castes_and_sceduled_tribes.aspx |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427154205/http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_And_You/scheduled_castes_and_sceduled_tribes.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Kaul |first1=Sudesh |title=Indigenous Peoples Policy Framework |url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/467821468035383950/pdf/IPP7630P14786400Box385405B00PUBLIC0.pdf |publisher=World Bank |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612181146/http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/467821468035383950/pdf/IPP7630P14786400Box385405B00PUBLIC0.pdf |url-status=live }}

The sex ratio in 2011, at 912 women to 1000 men, was lower than the national figure of 943. The low sex ratio in Uttar Pradesh, is a result of various factors, such as sex-selective abortion, female infanticide, and discrimination against girls and women.{{cite news |last1=Ara |first1=Ismat |title=Higher Female Foeticide, Targeted Harassment: UP's Population Control Bill May Be Dangerous |url=https://thewire.in/rights/rising-female-foeticide-targeted-harassment-ups-population-control-bill-may-be-dangerous |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=The Wire (India) |agency=Foundation for Independent Journalism (FIJ) |date=16 July 2021 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501221117/https://thewire.in/rights/rising-female-foeticide-targeted-harassment-ups-population-control-bill-may-be-dangerous |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Menaka |title=How one Uttar Pradesh district is using technology to prevent sex-selective abortions |url=https://scroll.in/pulse/828350/how-one-uttar-pradesh-district-is-using-technology-to-prevent-female-foeticide |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=Scroll.in |agency=Scroll Media Incorporation |date=16 February 2017 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501221117/https://scroll.in/pulse/828350/how-one-uttar-pradesh-district-is-using-technology-to-prevent-female-foeticide |url-status=live }} The state's 2001–2011 decennial growth rate (including Uttrakhand) was 20.1 per cent, higher than the national rate of 17.64 per cent.{{cite web|title=Decennil growth of population by census|url=http://www.cwc.nic.in/Water_Data_Pocket_Book_2006/t9.01final.pdf|work=Census of India (2011)|access-date=5 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410021912/http://www.cwc.nic.in/Water_Data_Pocket_Book_2006/t9.01final.pdf|archive-date=10 April 2009}}{{cite web|title=Decennial growth rate and density for 2011 at a glance for Uttar Pradesh and the districts: provisional population totals paper 1 of 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_up.html|work=Census of India(2011)|access-date=5 October 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007014159/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_up.html|archive-date=7 October 2011}} It has a large number of people living below the poverty line. As per a World Bank document released in 2016, the pace of poverty reduction in the state has been slower than the rest of the country.{{cite web |title=Uttar Pradesh Poverty, Growth & Inequality |url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/187721467995647501/pdf/105884-BRI-P157572-ADD-SERIES-India-state-briefs-PUBLIC-UttarPradesh-Proverty.pdf |publisher=World Bank |access-date=23 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116021320/http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/187721467995647501/pdf/105884-BRI-P157572-ADD-SERIES-India-state-briefs-PUBLIC-UttarPradesh-Proverty.pdf |archive-date=16 November 2017 |url-status=live}} Estimates released by the Reserve Bank of India for the year 2011–12 revealed that the state had 59 million (59819,000) people below the poverty line, the most for any state in India.{{cite web|title=The state with large no. of peoples living below poverty line|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=49731|work=Government of India|publisher=Press Information Bureau|access-date=5 October 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208074013/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=49731|archive-date=8 February 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://planningcommission.nic.in/news/pre_pov2307.pdf |title=Press Note on Poverty Estimates, 2011–12 |website=Planning Commission |publisher=Government of India |access-date=11 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628120737/http://planningcommission.nic.in/news/pre_pov2307.pdf |archive-date=28 June 2014|page=7}} The central and eastern districts in particular have very high levels of poverty. The state is also experiencing widening consumption inequality. As per the report of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released in 2020, the state per capita income is below {{INRConvert|80|k}} per annum.{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Hemant |title=Per Capita Income of Indian States 2019–20 |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/per-capita-income-of-indian-states-1468997157-1 |access-date=23 May 2020 |work=Dainik Jagran |agency=Jagran Prakashan Limited |publisher=Jagran Josh |date=7 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826043616/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/per-capita-income-of-indian-states-1468997157-1 |archive-date=26 August 2019 |url-status=live}}

As per 2011 census, Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, is home to the highest numbers of both Hindus and Muslims.{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/497347/muslim-population-grew-faster-census.html|title=Muslim population grew faster: Census|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827035701/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/497347/muslim-population-grew-faster-census.html|archive-date=27 August 2015}} The literacy rate of the state at the 2011 census was 67.7 per cent, which was below the national average of 74 per cent.{{cite web|title=Uttar Pradesh Profile|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/stock/profiles/en/IND009_Uttar%20Pradesh.pdf|publisher=Census of India 2011|access-date=16 October 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208074636/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/stock/profiles/en/IND009_Uttar%20Pradesh.pdf|archive-date=8 February 2013}}{{cite web |title= A comparison of the literacy rates |url= http://censusmp.gov.in/censusmp/All-PDF/6Literacy21.12.pdf |publisher= censusmp.gov.in |access-date= 16 October 2010 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120417110338/http://censusmp.gov.in/censusmp/All-PDF/6Literacy21.12.pdf |archive-date= 17 April 2012}} The literacy rate for men is 79 per cent and for women 59 per cent. In 2001 the literacy rate in the state stood at 56 per cent overall, 67 per cent for men and 43 per cent for women.{{cite web |title= Literacy rate in Uttar Pradesh |url= http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/uttar+pradesh.html |publisher= Census of India 2011 |access-date= 16 October 2010 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110430133506/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/uttar+pradesh.html |archive-date= 30 April 2011}} A report based on a National Statistical Office (NSO) survey{{Efn|name=remark1|National Sample Survey from July 2017 to June 2018 provides state-wise details of literacy rates among persons aged seven and above.}} revealed that Uttar Pradesh's literacy rate is 73 per cent, less than the national average of 77.7 per cent. According to the report, in the rural region, the literacy rate among men is 80.5 per cent and women is 60.4 per cent, while in urban areas, the literacy rate among men is 86.8 per cent and women is 74.9 per cent.{{cite news |title=UP literacy rate poor than national average: Report |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/up-literacy-rate-poor-than-national-average-report/story-04cd30glcG2IchqkB0TLaJ.html |access-date=20 June 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=HT Media Ltd |date=8 September 2020 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203635/https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/up-literacy-rate-poor-than-national-average-report/story-04cd30glcG2IchqkB0TLaJ.html |url-status=live }}

Hindi is the primary official language and is spoken by the majority of the population.{{cite web |url = http://www.nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf |title = Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 52nd report (July 2014 to June 2015) |pages = 49–53 |publisher = Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India |access-date = 16 February 2016 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161115133948/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf |archive-date = 15 November 2016}} Bhojpuri is the second most spoken language of the state,{{Cite book |last=Experts |first=Disha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4D44EAAAQBAJ&dq=bhojpuri+second+language+uttar+pradesh&pg=PA117 |title=Amazing Uttar Pradesh – General Knowledge for UPPSC, UPSSSC & other Competitive Exams |date=1 July 2020 |publisher=Disha Publications |isbn=978-93-90486-72-4|access-date=11 September 2022 |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427232733/https://books.google.com/books?id=4D44EAAAQBAJ&dq=bhojpuri+second+language+uttar+pradesh&pg=PA117 |url-status=live }} it is spoken by almost 11 per cent of the population. Most people speak regional languages classified as dialects of Hindi in the census. These include Awadhi spoken in Awadh in central Uttar Pradesh, Bhojpuri spoken in Purvanchal in eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Braj Bhasha spoken in the Braj region in Western Uttar Pradesh. These languages have also been recognised by the state government for official use in their respective regions. Urdu is given the status of a second official language, spoken by 5.4 per cent of the population. English is used as a means of communication for education, commerce, and governance. It is commonly spoken and employed as a language of instruction in educational institutions, as well as for conducting business transactions and managing administrative affairs. Other notable languages spoken in the state include Punjabi (0.3 per cent) and Bengali (0.1 per cent).{{cite web |title=Language – India, States and Union Territories |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf |work=Census of India 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General |pages=13–14 |access-date=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114073412/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2018 |url-status=live}}

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{{Main|Government of Uttar Pradesh|Vidhan Bhavan, Lucknow}}

File:Vidhan Sabha (at day).jpg

The state is governed by a parliamentary system of representative democracy. Uttar Pradesh is one of the seven states in India, where the state legislature is bicameral, comprising two houses: the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) and the Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council).{{cite web|url=http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/UttarPradesh-LC.htm|title=Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad structure|website=Legislative Bodies of India|publisher=Government of India|access-date=19 September 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417175655/http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/UttarPradesh-LC.htm|archive-date=17 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/UTTAR%20PRADESH.htm|title=Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha structure|website=Legislative Bodies of India|publisher=Government of India|access-date=19 September 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417175232/http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/UTTAR%20PRADESH.htm|archive-date=17 April 2016}} The Legislative Assembly consists of 404 members who are elected for five-year terms. The Legislative Council is a permanent body of 100 members with one-third (33 members) retiring every two years. The state sends the largest number of legislators to the national Parliament.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/02/2012286478579763.html|title=Legislative elections in Uttar Pradesh|last=Four other states seen as a barometer of support for the federal government.|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=8 February 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210194222/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/02/2012286478579763.html|archive-date=10 February 2012}} The state contributes 80 seats to Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, and 31 seats to Rajya Sabha, the upper house.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fRqrO0Hx0Y0C&pg=PA37|title=Legislative Council in State Legislatures|first=Verinder|last=Grover|publisher=Deep & Deep Publications|isbn=978-8171001934|pages=37–255|access-date=27 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528132659/http://books.google.com/books?id=fRqrO0Hx0Y0C&pg=PA37|archive-date=28 May 2013|year=1989}}{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/rsat_work/chapter-2.pdf|title=Composition of Rajya Sabha|work=Rajya Sabha|publisher=Rajya Sabha Secretariat|location=New Delhi|pages=24–25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020442/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/rsat_work/chapter-2.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=15 February 2012}}

The Government of Uttar Pradesh is a democratically elected body in India with the governor as its constitutional head and is appointed by the president of India for a five-year term.{{cite web |title= Role of The Governor |url= http://upgovernor.gov.in/upgovernor.gov.in/roleofgov.htm |website= upgovernor.gov.in |publisher= Raj Bhavan Uttar Pradesh |access-date= 17 March 2017 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170407230227/http://www.upgovernor.gov.in/upgovernor.gov.in/roleofgov.htm |archive-date= 7 April 2017}} The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Legislative Assembly is appointed as the chief minister by the governor, and the council of ministers is appointed by the governor on the advice of the chief minister. The governor remains a ceremonial head of the state, while the chief minister and his council are responsible for day-to-day government functions. The Council of Ministers consists of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State (MoS). The Secretariat headed by the Chief Secretary assists the council of ministers. The Chief Secretary is also the administrative head of the government. Each government department is headed by a minister, who is assisted by an Additional Chief Secretary or a Principal Secretary, who is usually an officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary serves as the administrative head of the department they are assigned to. Each department also has officers of the rank of Secretary, Special Secretary, Joint Secretary etc. assisting the Minister and the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary.{{Cite web |title=Constitutional Setup |url=http://up.gov.in/upconstitution.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831000649/http://up.gov.in/upconstitution.aspx |archive-date=31 August 2017 |access-date=30 August 2017 |website=Government of Uttar Pradesh}}{{Cite book |last=Laxmikanth |first=M. |title=Governance in India |publisher=McGraw Hill Education |year=2014 |isbn=978-9339204785 |edition=2nd |location=Noida |pages=4.3–4.5}}

For administration, the state is divided into 18 divisions and 75 districts. Divisional Commissioner, an IAS officer is the head of administration on the divisional level.{{Cite book|title=Indian Administration |last=Maheshwari |first=S.R. |publisher=Orient Blackswan Private Ltd. |year=2000 |isbn=978-8125019886 |location=New Delhi |pages=563–572 |edition=6th}}{{Cite book |title=Revenue administration in India: A case study of Bihar |last=Singh |first=G.P. |publisher=Mittal Publications|year=1993 |isbn=978-8170993810|location=Delhi |pages=26–129}} The administration in each district is headed by a District Magistrate, who is also an IAS officer, and is assisted by several officers belonging to state services.{{Cite web|url=http://uphome.gov.in/DM-UP-Contact.htm|title=Contact Details of Commissioners and District Magistrates of U.P.|website=Department of Home and Confidential, Government of Uttar Pradesh|access-date=15 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816061300/http://uphome.gov.in/DM-UP-Contact.htm|archive-date=16 August 2017}} District Magistrate being the head of the district administration, is responsible for maintaining law and order and providing public services in the district. At the block level, the Block Development Officer (BDO) is responsible for the overall development of the block. The Uttar Pradesh Police is headed by an IPS officer of the rank of Director general of police. A Superintendent of Police, an IPS officer assisted by the officers of the Uttar Pradesh Police Service, is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and related issues in each district. The Divisional Forest Officer, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service manages the forests, environment, and wildlife of the district, assisted by the officers of Provincial Forest Service and Uttar Pradesh Forest Subordinate Service.{{cite web |title=LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS |url=https://forest.uk.gov.in/uploads/fbd/1637060091.pdf |publisher=Government of Uttarakhand |access-date=8 July 2024}}

File:Allahabad high court.jpg

The judiciary in the state consists of the Allahabad High Court in Prayagraj, the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court, district courts and session courts in each district or Sessions Division, and lower courts at the tehsil level.{{cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/uttar-pradesh/local-government/judiciary.html|title=Uttar Pradesh judiciary|publisher=Maps of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904072538/http://www.mapsofindia.com/uttar-pradesh/local-government/judiciary.html|archive-date=4 September 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=19 September 2012}} The president of India appoints the chief justice of the High Court of the Uttar Pradesh judiciary on the advice of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India as well as the governor of Uttar Pradesh.{{cite web |title=The Uttar Pradesh Judicial Service Rules, 2001 |url=http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/rules/TheUttarPradeshJudicialServiceRules2001.pdf |publisher=Allahabad High Court |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024015107/http://allahabadhighcourt.in/rules/TheUttarPradeshJudicialServiceRules2001.pdf |archive-date=24 October 2019 |url-status=live}} Subordinate Judicial Service, categorised into two divisions viz. Uttar Pradesh civil judicial services and Uttar Pradesh higher judicial service are another vital part of the judiciary of Uttar Pradesh. While the Uttar Pradesh civil judicial services comprise the Civil Judges (Junior Division)/Judicial Magistrates and civil judges (Senior Division)/Chief Judicial Magistrate, the Uttar Pradesh higher judicial service comprises civil and sessions judges. The Subordinate judicial service (viz. The district court of Etawah and the district court of Kanpur Dehat) of the judiciary at Uttar Pradesh is controlled by the District Judge.{{cite web |last1=Bind |first1=Basini Prasad |title=The History and Role of Subordinate Civil Judiciary in Uttar Pradesh |url=http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/event/TheHistoryRoleSubordinateJudiciaryBBPrasad.pdf |publisher=Allahabad High Court |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508214410/http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/event/TheHistoryRoleSubordinateJudiciaryBBPrasad.pdf |archive-date=8 May 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/event/TheHistoryRoleSubordinateJudiciaryBBPrasad.pdf |title=Subordinate Civil Judiciary in Uttar Pradesh |publisher=Allahabad High Court|access-date=19 September 2012|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508214410/http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/event/TheHistoryRoleSubordinateJudiciaryBBPrasad.pdf |archive-date=8 May 2013}}

Politics in Uttar Pradesh has been dominated by four political parties – the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Indian National Congress. The political landscape of the state is often characterized by intense competition and polarization, leading to caste-based tensions and communal conflicts.{{cite news |last1=Salam |first1=Ziya Us |title=Casteism and social apartheid the norm in Uttar Pradesh |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/social-apartheid-is-the-norm/article32882917.ece |access-date=1 November 2024 |work=The Frontline |agency=The Hindu |date=20 October 2020}} Critics often suggest that despite Uttar Pradesh's significant political legacy of producing eight Prime Ministers, the state continues to struggle with issues that hinder its overall advancement.{{cite web|title=UP: the nerve center of politics|url=http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/up/issues.html|publisher=Zee news|access-date=22 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524062808/http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/up/issues.html|archive-date=24 May 2012}}

According to the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC), Uttar Pradesh tops the list of states of encounter killings and custodial deaths.{{cite news |last1=Sarda |first1=Kanu |title=In Custody: Six died daily in four months |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2018/aug/19/in-custody-six-died-daily-in-four-months-1859555.html |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=The New Indian Express |agency=Express Publications (Madurai) Limited D |date=19 August 2018 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607174117/https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2018/aug/19/in-custody-six-died-daily-in-four-months-1859555.html |url-status=live }} In 2014, the state recorded 365 judicial deaths out of a total 1,530 deaths recorded in the country.{{cite news |last1=Sandhu |first1=Kamaljit Kaur |title=More bad news for Yogi Adityanath as data show UP tops crime chart |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/more-bad-news-for-yogi-adityanath-as-data-show-up-tops-crime-chart-1189660-2018-03-14 |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=India Today |agency=Living Media India Limited |date=14 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828232341/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/more-bad-news-for-yogi-adityanath-as-data-show-up-tops-crime-chart-1189660-2018-03-14 |archive-date=28 August 2019 |url-status=live}} NHRC further said, of the over 30,000 murders registered in the country in 2016, Uttar Pradesh had 4,889 cases.{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Phalguni |title=NHRC registered 1,782 fake encounter cases between 2000–2017; Uttar Pradesh alone accounts for 44.55% |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/nhrc-registered-1782-fake-encounter-cases-between-2000-2017-uttar-pradesh-alone-accounts-for-44-55-4332125.html |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=Firstpost |agency=Network 18 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607175917/https://www.firstpost.com/india/nhrc-registered-1782-fake-encounter-cases-between-2000-2017-uttar-pradesh-alone-accounts-for-44-55-4332125.html |url-status=live }} A data from Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) avers, Bareilly recorded the highest number of custodial death at 25, followed by Agra (21), Allahabad (19) and Varanasi (9). National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data from 2011 says, the state has the highest number of crimes among any state in India, but due to its high population, the actual per capita crime rate is low.{{cite web|author=Pervez Iqbal Siddiqui|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/UP-tops-in-crime-low-on-criminality/articleshow/10537316.cms|title=UP tops in crime, low on 'criminality'|date=30 October 2011|access-date=14 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226121729/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-30/lucknow/30338628_1_crime-incidents-population-kidnapping-and-abduction-cases|archive-date=26 December 2013|work=The Times of India|url-status=live}} The state also continues to top the list of states with maximum communal violence incidents. An analysis of Ministers of State of Home Affairs states (2014), 23 per cent of all incidents of communal violence in India took place in the state.{{cite news |title=Uttar Pradesh tops the list of communal violence hit states in 2017: Govt |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/uttar-pradesh-tops-the-list-of-communal-violence-hit-states-in-2017-govt/articleshow/63300833.cms?from=mdr |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=The Economic Times |agency=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |date=14 March 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225120204/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/uttar-pradesh-tops-the-list-of-communal-violence-hit-states-in-2017-govt/articleshow/63300833.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Neeta |title=Communal Violence Goes Up In Country, Uttar Pradesh Still Tops List |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/communal-violence-goes-up-in-country-uttar-pradesh-still-tops-list-1823917 |access-date=20 May 2020 |publisher=NDTV |agency=New Delhi Television Limited |date=14 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812005415/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/communal-violence-goes-up-in-country-uttar-pradesh-still-tops-list-1823917 |archive-date=12 August 2019 |url-status=live}} According to a research assembled by State Bank of India, Uttar Pradesh failed to improve its Human Development Index (HDI) ranking over a period of 27 years (1990–2017).{{cite web |title= Human Development Index Across Indian States: Is the Glass Still Half Empty? |url=https://sbi.co.in/documents/13958/14472/Ecowrap_20190308.pdf |publisher=State Bank of India |access-date=20 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406004223/https://sbi.co.in/documents/13958/14472/Ecowrap_20190308.pdf |archive-date=6 April 2020 |url-status=live}} Based on sub-national human development index data for Indian states from 1990 to 2017, the report also stated that the value of human development index has steadily increased over time from 0.39 in 1990 to 0.59 in 2017.{{cite news |last1=Chauhan |first1=Saurabh |title=UP fails to improve human development index ranking in 27 years |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/up-fails-to-improve-human-development-index-ranking-in-27-years/story-RJM0f3tD9hiQ3mAE62VVaL.html |access-date=20 May 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=HT Media Ltd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126140936/https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/up-fails-to-improve-human-development-index-ranking-in-27-years/story-RJM0f3tD9hiQ3mAE62VVaL.html |archive-date=26 January 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/india_uttar_pradesh_2007.pdf|title=Uttar Pradesh Human Development Report|date=December 2008|website=United Nations Development Programme|access-date=13 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709020534/http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/india_uttar_pradesh_2007.pdf|archive-date=9 July 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-Human-Development-Report-raps-Gujarat-praises-UP-and-Bihar/articleshow/10446060.cms|title=India Human Development Report report raps Gujarat, praises UP and Bihar|date=22 October 2011|work=The Times of India|access-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226114722/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-22/india/30310270_1_poor-states-bjp-ruled-states-social-inclusion|archive-date=26 December 2013|url-status=live}} The Uttar Pradesh Police, governed by the Department of Home and Confidential, is the largest police force in the world.{{cite web|last=Shafi |first=Alam |title=The strength of Armed Police in Uttar Pradesh |url=http://ncrb.nic.in/CII2010/cii-2010/Chapter%2017.pdf |publisher=National Crime Records Bureau |access-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110085726/http://ncrb.nic.in/CII2010/cii-2010/Chapter%2017.pdf |archive-date=10 November 2011}}{{Cite web|url=https://uppolice.gov.in/pages/en/topmenu/about-us/en-general-information|title=General Information|website=Uttar Pradesh Police|access-date=6 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906042425/https://uppolice.gov.in/pages/en/topmenu/about-us/en-general-information|archive-date=6 September 2017}}{{cite web|title=Highlight of criminal statistics|url=http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/statistical_year_book_2011/SECTOR-6-MISCELLANEOUS%20SECTOR/CH-37-CRIME%20STATISTICS/CRIME%20STATISTICS-WRITEUP.pdf|publisher=Ministry of statistics and program implementation|access-date=22 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120103625/http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/statistical_year_book_2011/SECTOR-6-MISCELLANEOUS%20SECTOR/CH-37-CRIME%20STATISTICS/CRIME%20STATISTICS-WRITEUP.pdf|archive-date=20 November 2012}}

Uttar Pradesh also reported the highest number of deaths – 41,746 – due to road accidents till December 2022, according to "Road Accidents in India" report of Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.{{cite news |title=UP sees 6.5% rise in road accidents, 4% in fatalities this yr, says govt data |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-road-accidents-up-6-5-this-yr-fatalities-rise-4-9051922/#:~:text=The%20report%20shows%20that%20a,injured%20and%2021%2C227%20people%20died. |access-date=1 November 2024 |work=Express News Service |agency=The Indian Express |date=3 December 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Chauhan |first1=Arvind |title=At 23,219, UP reports highest number of road, rail accident |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/at-23219-up-reports-highest-number-of-road-rail-accident-deaths/articleshow/56394327.cms |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=The Times of India |agency=The Times Group |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |date=7 January 2017 |archive-date=18 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618182651/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/at-23219-up-reports-highest-number-of-road-rail-accident-deaths/articleshow/56394327.cms |url-status=live }} The UP Transport Department report also indicates that the primary cause of road accident fatalities was over-speeding, which accounted for 40 per cent of deaths. Drunken driving contributed to 10 per cent of fatalities, while 12 per cent of deaths were due to driving on the wrong side. Additionally, 10 per cent of accident deaths were caused by the use of mobile phones, and 5 per cent resulted from running red lights. The remaining 23 per cent of deaths were attributed to factors such as losing control of the vehicle, drowsiness, poor road visibility, and engineering defects.{{cite news|title=An accident reported every two hours in UP: Fatal accidents in the state|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/an-accident-reported-every-two-hours-in-up-fatal-accidents-in-the-state/story-qfPeclssrDuZGulc7ETNUJ.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505113620/http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/an-accident-reported-every-two-hours-in-up-fatal-accidents-in-the-state/story-qfPeclssrDuZGulc7ETNUJ.html|archive-date=5 May 2017}}

Between 2006 and 2010, the state has been hit with three terrorist attacks, including explosions in a landmark holy place, a court and a temple. The 2006 Varanasi bombings were a series of bombings that occurred across the Hindu holy city of Varanasi on 7 March 2006. At least 28 people were killed and as many as 101 others were injured.{{cite news|title=A powerful bomb placed in|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/delhi-blast-raid-at-huji-militant-s-house-in-up_730458.html|access-date=20 July 2012|publisher=Zee news|date=20 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129235043/http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/delhi-blast-raid-at-huji-militant-s-house-in-up_730458.html|archive-date=29 January 2012}}{{cite web|title=Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple blast|url=http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/07up.htm|work='Rediff.com|access-date=14 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809032928/http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/07up.htm|archive-date=9 August 2016}} In the afternoon of 23 November 2007, within a span of 25 minutes, six consecutive serial blasts occurred in the Lucknow, Varanasi, and Faizabad courts, in which 28 people were killed.{{cite news|title=Varanasi blast|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/varanasi-blast-18-month-old-killed-25-injured-71186|access-date=15 July 2012|publisher=NDTV|date=7 December 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212033140/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/varanasi-blast-18-month-old-killed-25-injured-71186|archive-date=12 December 2012}}{{cite news|last=Swami|first=Praveen|title=Uttar Pradesh bombings mark new phase|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/25/stories/2007112555861000.htm|access-date=20 July 2012|work=The Hindu|date=25 November 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126061742/http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/25/stories/2007112555861000.htm|archive-date=26 January 2012}}{{cite news|last=Swami|first=Praveen|title=Wiretap warning on Uttar Pradesh bombings went in vain|url=http://hindu.com/2007/12/26/stories/2007122653691200.htm|access-date=20 July 2012|work=The Hindu|date=26 December 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304213229/http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/26/stories/2007122653691200.htm|archive-date=4 March 2008}} Another blast occurred on 7 December 2010, the blast occurred at Sheetla Ghat in Varanasi in which more than 38 people were killed.{{cite news|title=Massive terror attacks|url=http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/massive-terror-attacks-in-india-in-the-last-20-years/14/26333/|access-date=20 July 2012|publisher=The Sunday Indian|date=25 November 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606090350/http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/massive-terror-attacks-in-india-in-the-last-20-years/14/26333/|archive-date=6 June 2013}}{{cite web|title=Chronology of recent terror attacks|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/chronology-recent-terror-attacks-india-153913362.html|publisher=Yahoo|access-date=13 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717155321/http://in.news.yahoo.com/chronology-recent-terror-attacks-india-153913362.html|archive-date=17 July 2011}} In February 2016, a series of bomb blasts occurred at the Jhakarkati Bus Station in Kanpur, killing 2 people and injuring more than 30.{{cite news |title=Freak blast sets panic alarm ringing |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/freak-blast-sets-panic-alarm-ringing/articleshow/4230409.cms |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=The Times of India |agency=The Times Group |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |date=5 March 2009 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502183426/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/freak-blast-sets-panic-alarm-ringing/articleshow/4230409.cms |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Economy of Uttar Pradesh}}

{{See also|List of urban agglomerations in Uttar Pradesh}}

File:Common Indian Sunflower.jpg, Sultanpur|Sown saplings of common sunflowers; located in the rich fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain, agriculture is the largest employment generator in the state.]]

In terms of net state domestic product (NSDP), Uttar Pradesh is the fourth-largest economy in India, with an estimated gross state domestic product of {{INRConvert|14.89|lc}}, contributing 8.4% of India's gross domestic product.{{cite web | title= TABLE 27: GROSS STATE DOMESTIC PRODUCT| url=https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Publications/PDFs/27T_15112023E301A02422494F73BFAFD6CDD84EEEAE.PDF | access-date=12 April 2024}} According to the report generated by India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), in 2014–15, Uttar Pradesh has accounted for 19% share in the country's total food grain output.{{cite web |url=https://www.ibef.org/download/Uttar%20Pradesh-November-2015.pdf |title=Uttar Pradesh: A Rainbow Land |author= |year=2015 |website=ibef.org |publisher=India Brand Equity Foundation |access-date=13 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921230048/https://www.ibef.org/download/Uttar%20Pradesh-November-2015.pdf |archive-date=21 September 2018 |url-status=live}} About 70% of India's sugar comes from Uttar Pradesh. Sugarcane is the most important cash crop as the state is country's largest producer of sugar. As per the report generated by Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), total sugarcane production in India was estimated to be 28.3 million tonnes in the fiscal ending September 2015 which includes 10.47 million tonnes from Maharashtra and 7.35 million tonnes from Uttar Pradesh.{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiansugar.com/NewsDetails.aspx?nid=4584|title=Indian sugar mills association|website=indiansugar.com|access-date=8 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826083928/http://www.indiansugar.com/NewsDetails.aspx?nid=4584|archive-date=26 August 2016}}

With 359 manufacturing clusters, cement is the top sector of SMEs in Uttar Pradesh.{{cite web | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/emerging-businesses/sme-policy-trends/smes-employ-close-to-40-of-indias-workforce-but-contribute-only-17-to-gdp/articleshow/20496337.cms?curpg=2 | title=SMEs employ close to 40% of India's workforce, but contribute only 17% to GDP | work=The Economic Times | date=9 June 2013| access-date=20 June 2013 | first=Malini | last=Goyal | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231062949/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/emerging-businesses/sme-policy-trends/smes-employ-close-to-40-of-indias-workforce-but-contribute-only-17-to-gdp/articleshow/20496337.cms?curpg=2 | archive-date=31 December 2016}} The Uttar Pradesh Financial Corporation (UPFC) was established in 1954 under the SFCs Act of 1951 mainly to develop small- and medium-scale industries in the state.{{cite web|title=Details of financing & limits of accommodation|url=http://www.ijest.info/docs/IJEST10-02-07-13.pdf|publisher=UPFC India|access-date=22 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530154018/http://www.ijest.info/docs/IJEST10-02-07-13.pdf|archive-date=30 May 2012|url-status=usurped}} The UPFC also provides working capital to existing units with a soundtrack record and to new units under a single window scheme.{{cite web|title=A statement of the categories of documents that are held by the Corporation.|url=http://www.upfcindia.com/rti/manual-vi.pdf|publisher=Uttar Pradesh Financial Corporation|access-date=9 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116014458/http://www.upfcindia.com/rti/manual-vi.pdf|archive-date=16 November 2012}} In July 2012, due to financial constraints and directions from the state government, lending activities were suspended except for State Government Schemes.{{cite web|title=The budget allocated to each of its agency|url=http://www.upfcindia.com/rti/manual-xi.pdf|publisher=UPFC India|access-date=22 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116014535/http://www.upfcindia.com/rti/manual-xi.pdf|archive-date=16 November 2012}} The state has reported total private investment worth over Rs. 25,081 crores during the years of 2012 and 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/private-investment-under-akhilesh-government-more-than-doubles-116032700361_1.html|title=Private investment under Akhilesh government more than doubles|last=Rawat|first=Virendra Singh|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=27 March 2016|access-date=8 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820114551/http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/private-investment-under-akhilesh-government-more-than-doubles-116032700361_1.html|archive-date=20 August 2016}} According to a 2015 report by the World Bank on the Ease of Doing Business in India, Uttar Pradesh was ranked among the top 10 states and was the first among the northern states.{{Cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/economy/world-bank-survey-indias-top-10-states-on-the-ease-of-doing-business-ranking/10-uttar-pradesh/slideshow/48970813.cms|title=10. Uttar Pradesh – World Bank Survey: India's top 10 states on the ease of doing business ranking – The Economic Times|access-date=8 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623140228/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/economy/world-bank-survey-indias-top-10-states-on-the-ease-of-doing-business-ranking/10-uttar-pradesh/slideshow/48970813.cms|archive-date=23 June 2016}}

According to the Uttar Pradesh Budget Documents (2019–20), Uttar Pradesh's debt burden is 29.8 per cent of the GSDP.{{cite news |last1=Raghuvanshi |first1=Umesh |title=Finance commission asks Uttar Pradesh to bring down its debt burden |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/finance-commission-asks-up-to-bring-down-its-debt-burden/story-ySZwu16DTAU6bsnzfbEBHP.html |access-date=24 May 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=HT Media Ltd |date=23 October 2019 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518022214/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/finance-commission-asks-up-to-bring-down-its-debt-burden/story-ySZwu16DTAU6bsnzfbEBHP.html |url-status=live }} The state's total financial debt stood at {{INRConvert|2.09|lc}} in 2011.{{cite news |date=14 June 2011 |title=State slipping into debt burden |newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/state-slipping-into-debt-burden/articleshow/8840055.cms |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506234001/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-14/pune/29656552_1_debt-burden-white-paper-finance-minister |archive-date=6 May 2013}} Uttar Pradesh has not been able to witness double-digit economic growth despite consistent attempts over the years. The GSDP is estimated to have grown 7 per cent in 2017–18 and 6.5 per cent in 2018–19 which is about 10 per cent of India's GDP. According to a survey conducted by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), Uttar Pradesh's unemployment rate increased 11.4 percentage points, rising to 21.5 per cent in April 2020.{{cite news |title=Unemployment in Uttar Pradesh increased 11.4 pct points, rose to 21.5% in Apr 2020: CMIE Survey |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/unemployment-in-uttar-pradesh-increased-11-4-pct-points-rose-to-21-5-in-apr-2020-cmie-survey-11588316047392.html |access-date=5 June 2020 |work=Mint |agency=HT Media |date=1 May 2020 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605165040/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/unemployment-in-uttar-pradesh-increased-11-4-pct-points-rose-to-21-5-in-apr-2020-cmie-survey-11588316047392.html |url-status=live }} Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of net migrants migrating out of the state.{{cite news |last1=Jha |first1=Abhishek |last2=Kawoosa |first2=Vijdan Mohammad |title=What the 2011 census data on migration tells us |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/migration-from-up-bihar-disproportionately-high/story-K3WAio8TrrvBhd22VbAPLN.html |access-date=31 July 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=HT Media |date=26 July 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814073603/https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/migration-from-up-bihar-disproportionately-high/story-K3WAio8TrrvBhd22VbAPLN.html |url-status=live }} The 2011 census data on migration shows that nearly 14.4 million (14.7%) people had migrated out of Uttar Pradesh.{{cite news |last1=Edwin |first1=Tina |title=Migrants seem to prefer neighbouring States for livelihood |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/migrants-seem-to-prefer-neighbouring-states-for-livelihood/article28762755.ece |access-date=31 July 2020 |work=Business Line |agency=Kasturi and Sons Limited |publisher=The Hindu Group |date=30 July 2019 |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025025600/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/migrants-seem-to-prefer-neighbouring-states-for-livelihood/article28762755.ece |url-status=live }} Marriage was cited as the predominant reason for migration among females. Among males, the most important reason for migration was work and employment.{{cite web |title=Census of India 2001 – Data Highlights |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/Data_Products/Data_Highlights/Data_Highlights_link/data_highlights_D1D2D3.pdf |publisher=Government of India |access-date=31 July 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101020548/https://censusindia.gov.in/Data_Products/Data_Highlights/Data_Highlights_link/data_highlights_D1D2D3.pdf |url-status=live }} Uttar Pradesh continues to have regional disparities, particularly with the western districts of the state showing higher development indicators such as per capita district development product (PCDDP) and gross district development product (GDDP) compared to other regions.{{cite web | last=Singh | first=Mahendra | title=Eastern UP, not Bundelkhand, most backward: Govt data | website=The Times of India | date=21 October 2013 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/eastern-up-not-bundelkhand-most-backward-govt-data/articleshow/24453834.cms | access-date=10 July 2024}} Due to inadequate infrastructure and a dense population, Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal) faces notable socio-economic disparities.{{cite journal | last1=Tiwari | first1=Anil Kumar | last2=Pandey | first2=Ravindra K. | last3=Sharma | first3=Vishwambhar Nath | title=A study of disparities in the socio-economic development of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India | journal=National Geographical Journal of India | volume=67 | issue=4 | date=31 December 2021 | issn=0027-9374 | pages=438–446 | doi=10.48008/ngji.1789 | url=https://ngji.in/index.php/ngji/article/view/299#:~:text=Eastern%20Uttar%20Pradesh%2C%20an%20economically,disparity%20in%20socio%2Deconomic%20development. | access-date=10 July 2024}} For 2021–22 the GDDP for Purvanchal it is ₹5.37 lakh crore, while for Western Uttar Pradesh it is ₹9.44 lakh crore. For the Bundelkhand and Central Uttar Pradesh regions, the GDDP remained ₹99,029.34 crore and ₹3.36 lakh crore, respectively. As of 2021–22, the per capita annual income in eastern districts is about one-fourth of the national average at ₹12,741 while the state's average stood at ₹17,349.{{cite web | last=Raghuvanshi | first=Umesh | title=Regional disparities persist, west U.P. far ahead of east | website=Hindustan Times | date=7 September 2023 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/uttar-pradesh-s-regional-disparities-western-districts-lead-in-development-indicators-eastern-districts-lag-behind-101694030468889.html | access-date=10 July 2024}}

File:IT Park, Noida, Uttar Pradesh (2011-06-18).jpg in Noida, which are known for their infrastructure and services, as well as high-end housing complexes.{{cite news|last1=IT park|first1=Infrastructure and|date=4 January 2016|title=Noida-Greater Noida's world class infrastructure to be highlighted in UP Pravasi Diwas|work=The Times of India|agency=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Noida-Greater-Noidas-world-class-infrastructure-to-be-highlighted-in-UP-Pravasi-Diwas/articleshow/50433022.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131081352/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Noida-Greater-Noidas-world-class-infrastructure-to-be-highlighted-in-UP-Pravasi-Diwas/articleshow/50433022.cms|archive-date=31 January 2017}}]]

In 2009–10, the tertiary sector of the economy (service industries) was the largest contributor to the gross domestic product of the state, contributing 44.8 per cent of the state domestic product compared to 44 per cent from the primary sector (agriculture, forestry, and tourism) and 11.2 per cent from the secondary sector (industrial and manufacturing).{{cite web|title=Investment climate of a state|url=http://www.ibef.org/download/Uttar_Pradesh_060710.pdf|publisher=IBEF organization|access-date=22 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510142802/http://www.ibef.org/download/Uttar_Pradesh_060710.pdf|archive-date=10 May 2013}}{{cite news|title=Service sector over the present crisis|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-03-14/news/28471008_1_service-sector-gdp-growth-enterprises|work=The Economic Times|access-date=14 March 2009|date=14 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507005546/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-03-14/news/28471008_1_service-sector-gdp-growth-enterprises|archive-date=7 May 2013|url-status=dead}} Noida, Meerut, and Agra rank as the top 3 districts with the highest per capita income, whereas Lucknow and Kanpur rank 7th and 9th in per capita income.{{Cite web |title=Statistical Diary of Uttar Pradesh |url=https://updes.up.nic.in/updes/data/sdiaryenglish/files/diary%20eng%202021_merged.pdf |access-date=2 October 2023 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004145340/https://updes.up.nic.in/updes/data/sdiaryenglish/files/diary%20eng%202021_merged.pdf |url-status=live }} During the 11th five-year plan (2007–2012), the average gross state domestic product (GSDP) growth rate was 7.3 per cent, lower than 15.5 per cent, the average for all states of the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/only-5-states-exceed-11th-plan-growth-targets-govt_584266.html|title=Only 5 states exceed 11th Plan growth targets: Govt: Ruled by CNBC TV18 News|date=13 May 2011|work=CNBC TV18-MoneyControl Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605114827/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/only-5-states-exceed-11th-plan-growth-targets-govt_584266.html|archive-date=5 June 2013}}{{cite web|title=RBI releases Study on State Finances 2009–10 |url=http://rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=22105 |publisher=Reserve Bank of India (RBI) |access-date=22 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225162108/http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=22105 |archive-date=25 February 2010}} The state's per capita GSDP was {{INRConvert|29417}}, lower than the national per capita GSDP of {{INRConvert|60972}}.{{Cite report|title=Ministry of statistics and Program Implementation |url=http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/State_wise_SDP_2004-05_14mar12.pdf |publisher=Ministry of statistics and Program Implementation Govt. Of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023256/http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/State_wise_SDP_2004-05_14mar12.pdf |archive-date= 4 March 2016}} Labor efficiency is higher at an index of 26 than the national average of 25. Textiles and sugar refining, both long-standing industries in Uttar Pradesh, employ a significant proportion of the state's total factory labour. The economy also benefits from the state's tourism industry.{{cite web|title=Small scale industries and other small trades.|url=http://indiabudget.nic.in/ub2004-05(I)/eb/sbe84.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Small Scale Industries|access-date=17 January 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410141303/http://indiabudget.nic.in/ub2004-05(I)/eb/sbe84.pdf|archive-date=10 April 2009}}

{{Further|List of state highways in Uttar Pradesh|List of airports in Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation}}

File:Delhi Noida Direct flyway (Uttar Pradesh - 2011-06-18).jpg

The state has the largest railway network in the country but in relative terms has only sixth-highest railway density despite its plain topography and largest population. {{As of|2015}}, there were {{convert|9,077|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of rail in the state.{{cite web|title=total railway route length uttar pradesh|url=http://lko.railnet.gov.in/|publisher=Northern Railways Lucknow Division|access-date=22 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814075641/http://lko.railnet.gov.in/|archive-date=14 August 2012}}{{cite web |title=The Network |url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/IRSP_2015-16/Year_Book_Eng/9.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Railways |access-date=28 June 2024}} The railway network in the state is controlled by two divisions of the Indian Railways viz. North Central Railway and North Eastern Railway. Allahabad is the headquarters of the North Central Railway{{cite web|title=North Central Railway-The Allahabad Division|url=http://www.ncr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,396,403|publisher=Indian Railways Portal CMS Team|access-date=22 February 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318062507/http://ncr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,396,403|archive-date=18 March 2014}} and Gorakhpur is the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway.{{cite web|title=the Portal of Indian Railways|url=http://www.ner.indianrailways.gov.in/|publisher=Indian Railways|access-date=14 April 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411221732/http://www.ner.indianrailways.gov.in/|archive-date=11 April 2011}}{{cite news|title=Equipment arrives for integrated security system|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/North-Eastern-Railway|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=22 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514093655/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/North-Eastern-Railway|archive-date=14 May 2013}} Lucknow and Moradabad serve as divisional Headquarters of the Northern Railway Division. Lucknow Swarna Shatabdi Express, the second fastest Shatabdi Express train, connects the Indian capital of New Delhi to Lucknow while Kanpur Shatabdi Express, connects New Delhi to Kanpur Central. This was the first train in India to get the new German LHB coaches.{{cite news|title=Lucknow New Delhi Shatabdi Express|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Lucknow-New-Delhi-Shatabdi-Express|access-date=28 July 2012|work=The Times of India|date=2 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926075420/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Lucknow-New-Delhi-Shatabdi-Express|archive-date=26 September 2012}} The railway stations of Prayagraj Junction, Agra Cantonment, Lucknow Charbagh, Gorakhpur Junction, Kanpur Central, Mathura Junction and Varanasi Junction are included in the Indian Railways list of 50 world-class railway stations.{{cite web|title=Introducing the Railway Budget 2011–12|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/RailBudget_11-12/RailBudget_2011-12.pdf|publisher=Indian Railways|access-date=22 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512215003/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/RailBudget_11-12/RailBudget_2011-12.pdf|archive-date=12 May 2016}} The Lucknow Metro, along with the Kanpur Metro (Orange line), are rapid transit systems that serve Lucknow and Kanpur, respectively.

The state has a large, multimodal transportation system with the largest road network in the country.{{cite web |last=Investment Promotion & Infrastructure Development Cell |title=Road |url=http://dipp.nic.in/English/Investor/Investers_Gudlines/roads.pdf |publisher=Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion |access-date=7 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014170737/http://dipp.nic.in/English/Investor/Investers_Gudlines/roads.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2011}} It has 42 national highways, with a total length of {{Convert|4942|km|abbr=in}} comprising 8.9 per cent of the total national highways length in India.{{cite web |title=Basic Road Statistics, 2018 - 19 |url=https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/Basic%20Road%20Statistics%20in%20India-2018-19.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India |access-date=28 June 2024}} The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) was established in 1972 to provide transportation in the state with connecting services to adjoining states.{{cite web|title=Road network|url=http://www.ibef.org/download/uttar_pradesh_190111.pdf|publisher=India Brand Equity Foundation|access-date=22 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907052302/http://www.ibef.org/download/uttar_pradesh_190111.pdf|archive-date=7 September 2012}} The UPSRTC's current fleet consists of 11,238 buses operating on 2,762 routes across a total distance of {{cvt|768,065|km}} throughout the state, generating an average daily income of {{INRConvert|16|c|lk=|year=2023}}.{{cite news |title=UPSRTC to replace 45% of its existing fleet with e-buses |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/upsrtc-to-replace-45-of-its-existing-fleet-with-ebuses-101719244472805.html |access-date=24 August 2024 |work=Hindustan Times |date=Jun 24, 2024}} Despite its extensive operation, many of UPSRTC buses are now outdated and unreliable, raising concerns about their condition and the impact on passenger safety.{{cite news |last1=Dash |first1=Deepak |title=UPSRTC has set a new record by registering the highest profit among all state transport undertakings |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/up-creates-record-registering-highest-profit-among-all-state-transport-undertakings/articleshow/68586093.cms |access-date=24 August 2024 |work=Times of India |agency=The Times Group |date=March 26, 2019}} All cities are connected to state highways, and all district headquarters are being connected with four lane roads which carry traffic between major centres within the state. One of them is Agra–Lucknow Expressway, which is a {{Convert|302|km|abbr=in}} controlled-access highway constructed by UPEIDA.{{cite web|title=Welcome :: U.P. Expressways Industrial Development Authority|url=http://www.upeida.in/project_8.htm|website=upeida.in|access-date=26 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712131932/http://www.upeida.in/project_8.htm|archive-date=12 July 2016}} Uttar Pradesh has the highest road density in India – {{Convert|1027|km|abbr=in}} per {{Convert|1000|km2|sqmi|abbr=in}} – and the largest surfaced urban-road network in the country – {{Convert|50721|km|abbr=in}}.{{cite web|title=Pervasive road network of Uttar Pradesh|url=http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/stateplan/upsdr/vol-2/Chap_b8.pdf|publisher=Planning commission, Government of India|access-date=20 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121222090850/http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/stateplan/upsdr/vol-2/Chap_b8.pdf|archive-date=22 December 2012}}

By passenger traffic in India, Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow and Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Varanasi, are the major international airports and the main gateway to the state.{{cite web |title=contributing to economic growth and prosperity of the nation |url=http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/varanasi_generalinfo.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629091735/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/varanasi_generalinfo.jsp |archive-date=29 June 2012 |access-date=22 July 2012 |publisher=Airports Authority of India}} Another international airport has been built at Kushinagar. However, since its inauguration, Kushinagar International Airport has not yet seen any outbound flights to international destinations.{{cite web | last=Kumar | first=Mayank | title=The over-promise of Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar International Airport | website=The Hindu | date=30 November 2023 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/the-over-promise-of-uttar-pradeshs-kushinagar-international-airport/article67591556.ece | access-date=5 April 2024}}{{cite web |date=7 January 2013 |title=Kushinagar international airport to get ready for take-off |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/kushinagar-international-airport-to-get-ready-for-take-off-113010700012_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521031503/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/kushinagar-international-airport-to-get-ready-for-take-off-113010700012_1.html |archive-date=21 May 2014 |publisher=Virendra Singh Rawat}} Uttar Pradesh has six domestic airports located at Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur and Kanpur.{{Cite web |title=DFCCIL |url=https://dfccil.com/Home/DynemicPages?MenuId=76 |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=dfccil.com |archive-date=1 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701102211/https://dfccil.com/Home/DynemicPages?MenuId=76 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=9 March 2021 |title=UP gets its 8th airport|work=mint |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/up-gets-its-8th-airport-check-flight-routes-fare-and-other-details-11615267509248.html |access-date=24 April 2021 |archive-date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424073306/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/up-gets-its-8th-airport-check-flight-routes-fare-and-other-details-11615267509248.html |url-status=live }} Under the collaboration with civilian aviation authority, these domestic airports are primarily used by the Indian Air Force for operational flexibility, especially during emergencies or natural disasters. The Noida International Airport is proposed to be built near Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar, district.{{cite web |date=21 June 2013 |title=UP to seek DGCA nod for Taj airport |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lucknow/up-to-seek-dgca-nod-for-taj-airport/article1-1080013.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155751/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lucknow/up-to-seek-dgca-nod-for-taj-airport/article1-1080013.aspx |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=29 July 2015 |work=Hindustan Times}}{{cite web |title=Hindustan Times e-Paper |url=http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608140626/http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx |archive-date=8 June 2014 |access-date=29 July 2015 |work=Hindustan Times}}{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Mihir |date=24 June 2017 |title=Jewar to be second airport in Delhi NCR |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/jewar-to-be-second-airport-in-delhi-ncr/articleshow/59296768.cms |url-status=live |access-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811133947/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/jewar-to-be-second-airport-in-delhi-ncr/articleshow/59296768.cms |archive-date=11 August 2018}}

{{clear}}

{{See also|Indian Grand Prix|Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association}}

File:Force india Buddh.jpg racing at Buddh International Circuit]]

Traditional sports, now played mostly as a pastime, include wrestling, swimming, kabaddi, and track-sports or water-sports played according to local traditional rules and without modern equipment. Some sports are designed to display martial skills such as using a sword or 'Pata' (stick).{{cite book|first=Mohan|last=Rao|title=From Population Control To Reproductive Health: Malthusian Arithmetic|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9p1cojMJUtkC&pg=PA244|access-date=26 July 2012|year=2005|publisher=Sage Publications|isbn=978-0761932697|pages=244–246|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604230402/http://books.google.com/books?id=9p1cojMJUtkC&pg=PA244|archive-date=4 June 2013}} Due to a lack of organised patronage and requisite facilities, these sports survive mostly as individuals' hobbies or local competitive events. Among modern sports, field hockey is popular and Uttar Pradesh has produced top-level players in India, such as Nitin Kumar. and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.{{cite web|title=Hapless victim of a TV sting, this hockey player is now a rising star|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hapless-victim-of-a-tv-sting-this-hockey-player-is-now-a-rising-star/938634/|work=The Indian Express|date=19 April 2012 |access-date=29 June 2012}}

Recently, cricket has become more popular than field hockey.{{cite news |title=Uttar Pradesh: Sports |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/uttar-pradesh-sports-1371707833-1 |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=Jagran Josh |publisher=Jagran Prakashan Limited |date=29 July 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029170917/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/uttar-pradesh-sports-1371707833-1 |url-status=live }} Uttar Pradesh won its first Ranji Trophy tournament in February 2006, beating Bengal in the final.{{cite web|title=Uttar Pradesh win Ranji Trophy|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/ranji-up/20060202.htm|work=Rediff.com|access-date=2 February 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019103708/http://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/ranji-up/20060202.htm|archive-date=19 October 2012}} Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex is a newly built international cricket stadium with a capacity of around 20,000 spectators.{{cite web |title=UP to get one more cricket stadium by 2011 |url=http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/up-to-get-one-more-cricket-stadium-by-2011_25512.html |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524011021/http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/up-to-get-one-more-cricket-stadium-by-2011_25512.html |archive-date=24 May 2013 |access-date=2 February 2006 |publisher=First Published:PTI, Friday, 27 November 2009, 21:26}} Wrestling has deep roots in Uttar Pradesh, with many akharas (traditional wrestling schools) spread across the state.{{cite web | last=Singh | first=Prithviraj | title=Akhara body caught in successor row after UP mahant's 'murder', 1 group claims leader is elected | website=ThePrint | date=24 October 2021 | url=https://theprint.in/india/akhara-body-caught-in-successor-row-after-up-mahants-murder-1-group-claims-leader-is-elected/755933/ | access-date=6 May 2024}}

The Uttar Pradesh football team (UPFS) serves as the governing body for football in Uttar Pradesh. It holds authority over the Uttar Pradesh football team and is officially affiliated with the All India Football Federation.{{cite web | title=District Football Association Kanpur – Uttar Pradesh Football Sangh | website=Uttar Pradesh Football Sangh | url=https://uttarpradeshfootballsangh.com/kanpur-football-association/ | access-date=5 April 2024}} The UPFS participates in sending state teams to compete in all National Football Championships organised by the All India Football Federation.{{cite web | title=Arunachal Pradesh to host Final Rounds of 77th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy | website=Official Website of All India Football Federation | date=6 September 2023 | url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/arunachal-pradesh-to-host-final-rounds-of-77th-national-football-championship-for-santosh-trophy | access-date=5 April 2024}} Additionally, the UPFS oversees two Mandal Football Associations: the Aligarh Football Association and the Kanpur Football Association.{{cite web | title=About Us – Uttar Pradesh Football Sangh | website=Uttar Pradesh Football Sangh | url=https://uttarpradeshfootballsangh.com/about-us/ | access-date=5 April 2024}} The Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association is a sports body affiliated to Badminton Association of India responsible for overseeing players representing Uttar Pradesh at the national level.{{cite web | title=Up Players Dominate In Badminton C'ship | website=The Times of India | date=22 June 2023 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/up-players-dominate-in-badminton-cship/articleshow/101177761.cms | access-date=5 April 2024}}

The Buddh International Circuit hosted India's inaugural F1 Grand Prix race on 30 October 2011.{{cite news|title=The Buddh International Circuit (BIC), which played host to India's first Formula One Grand Prix|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/buddh-circuit-wins-global-award/203294-5-24.html|access-date=14 July 2012|publisher=CNN-IBN|date=18 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222055639/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/buddh-circuit-wins-global-award/203294-5-24.html|archive-date=22 December 2011}} Races were only held three times before being cancelled due to falling attendance and lack of government support. The government of Uttar Pradesh considered Formula One to be entertainment and not a sport, and thus imposed taxes on the event and participants.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24659690 | work=BBC News | title=Why India's Formula 1 Grand Prix is under threat | date=24 October 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027223718/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24659690 | archive-date=27 October 2013}}

{{Main|Education in Uttar Pradesh}}

{{See also|List of institutions of higher education in Uttar Pradesh}}

File:Chattar Manzil 2005.jpg, an autonomous multidisciplinary research institute]]

Uttar Pradesh has a prolonged tradition of education, although historically it was primarily confined to the elite class and religious schools.{{cite news|title=Islamic religious schools|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/madrassas|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103081247/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/madrassas|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=25 April 2003}} Sanskrit-based learning formed the major part of education from the Vedic to the Gupta periods. As cultures travelled through the region they brought their bodies of knowledge with them, adding Pali, Persian and Arabic scholarship to the community. These formed the core of Hindu-Buddhist-Muslim education until the rise of British colonialism. The present schools-to-university system of education owes its inception and development in the state (as in the rest of the country) to foreign Christian missionaries and the British colonial administration.{{cite web|title=British colonial administration system in state education system|url=http://www.upeducation.net/|publisher=State Education Board|access-date=25 April 2003|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030421195013/http://upeducation.net/|archive-date=21 April 2003}} Schools in the state are either managed by the government or by private trusts. Hindi is used as a medium of instruction in most of the schools except those affiliated to the CBSE or the council for ICSE boards.{{cite web|title=Uttar Pradesh Facts & Figures|url=http://www.upeducation.net/Facts/|publisher=Uttar Pradesh education department|access-date=16 October 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403071219/http://www.upeducation.net/facts/|archive-date=3 April 2011}} Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing secondary school, students typically enroll for two years in a junior college, also known as pre-university, or in schools with a higher secondary facility affiliated with the Uttar Pradesh Board of High School and Intermediate Education (commonly referred to as U.P. Board) or a central board. Students choose from one of three streams, namely liberal arts, commerce, or science. Upon completing the required coursework, students may enrol in general or professional degree programs. In a study done by Child Rights and You (CRY) and the Centre for Budgets, Governance, and Accountability (CBGA), Uttar Pradesh spent ₹9,167 per pupil, which is below the national average of ₹12,768.{{cite web | last=Jain | first=Isha | title=At Rs 9, 167, UP spends least on per child school education, reveals study | website=The Times of India | date=12 May 2017 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/at-rs-9-167-up-spends-least-on-per-child-school-education-reveals-study/articleshow/58646292.cms | access-date=9 July 2024}} The pupil/teacher ratio is 39:1,{{efn|One teacher for every 39 students}} lower than the national average of 23:1.{{cite web | last=Balani | first=Khushboo | title=Uttar Pradesh has India's largest population of children, but least teachers per student | website=Scroll.in | date=7 January 2017 | url=https://scroll.in/article/825966/uttar-pradesh-has-indias-largest-population-of-children-but-least-teachers-per-student | access-date=9 July 2024}} According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the state reported the second-highest teacher absenteeism (31 percent) in rural public schools among 19 surveyed states.{{cite web | title= The Fiscal Cost Of Weak Governance: Evidence From Teacher Absence In India| url=https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w20299/w20299.pdf#page=31 | access-date=9 July 2024}} According to an answer given by the Union Education Minister in 2020 in the Lok Sabha, about 17.1 percent of all elementary teacher posts in government schools in Uttar Pradesh are vacant. In terms of absolute numbers, the figure stands at 210,000.{{cite web | title=17% of teaching posts in govt schools vacant | website=The Times of India | date=20 September 2020 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/17-of-teaching-posts-in-govt-schools-vacant/articleshow/78212162.cms | access-date=9 July 2024}} In February 2024, the Uttar Pradesh government informed legislative assembly that, 85,152 posts of headmasters and assistant teachers are vacant in the state.{{cite web | title=85,152 posts of headmasters and assistant teachers are vacant in Uttar Pradesh, says state government | website=Deccan Herald | date=6 February 2024 | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/85152-posts-of-headmasters-and-assistant-teachers-are-vacant-in-uttar-pradesh-says-state-government-2881920 | access-date=9 July 2024}}

File:La Martiniere, lucknow 39.jpg

Uttar Pradesh has more than 45 universities,{{cite web|url=http://www.educationinfoindia.com/Universities/U-up.htm|title=List of universities|website=Education info India|access-date=13 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411015723/http://www.educationinfoindia.com/Universities/U-up.htm|archive-date=11 April 2017}} including six central universities, twenty eight state universities, eight deemed universities, two IITs in Varanasi and Kanpur, AIIMS Gorakhpur and AIIMS Rae Bareli, an IIM in Lucknow{{cite web|title=List of Universities in Uttar Pradesh|url=http://www.upeducation.net/universities/|publisher=Education department of U.P|access-date=27 June 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621081900/http://www.upeducation.net/universities/|archive-date=21 June 2012}}{{cite web|title=Official Website of IIM Lucknow|url=http://www.iiml.ac.in/|publisher=IIM Lucknow|access-date=11 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413144029/http://www.iiml.ac.in/|archive-date=13 April 2012|url-status=live}} Founded in 1845, La Martinière Girls' College in Lucknow, stands as one of the oldest schools in India.{{cite web|title=India's Best Schools, 2014|url=http://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/career-indias-best-schools-of-2014/20140922.htm|work=Rediff.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722053415/http://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/career-indias-best-schools-of-2014/20140922.htm|archive-date=22 July 2015}} Located in Amethi, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), provides education and training in STEM fields, particularly emphasizing the petroleum industry. With deemed university status, the RGIPT awards degrees in its own right. King George's Medical University (KGMU), located in Lucknow, is an institution for medical education, research, and healthcare services. The Integral University, a state level institution, was established by the Uttar Pradesh Government to provide education in different technical, applied science, and other disciplines.{{cite web|title=The Integral University Lucknow state level institution|url=http://www.upeducation.net/universities/Integral_University/|publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh|access-date=28 June 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107225558/http://www.upeducation.net/universities/Integral_University/|archive-date=7 January 2012}} The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies was founded as an autonomous organisation by the national ministry of culture. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University is the only university established exclusively for the disabled in the world.{{cite news | publisher=Jansatta Express | language=hi | first=Dikshit| last=Ragini| title= चित्रकूट: दुनिया का प्रथम विकलांग विश्वविद्यालय |trans-title=Chitrakuta: The world's first handicapped university | date = 10 July 2007}}

As of 2023, the state has 573 public libraries.{{cite web |title=No. of public libraries in different States and Union Territories |url=http://rrrlf.nic.in/Docs/pdf/PUBLIC_LIBRARY_DATA.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Culture, Government of India |access-date=8 July 2024}}{{cite web |title=Public Library network |url=https://www.library.up.gov.in/Pages/public_library_network/en |publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh |access-date=8 July 2024}} Established in 1875, Maulana Azad Library is one of the oldest and is the largest university library in Asia. Rampur Raza Library is a repository of Indo-Islamic cultural heritage established in the last decades of the 18th century. It was established in 1774 by nawab Faizullah Khan and now an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.{{cite web |title=Top libraries of UP |url=https://www.library.up.gov.in/home/toplibrary/en |publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh |access-date=8 July 2024}} Thornhill Mayne Memorial also known as Allahabad Public Library, has an approximate collection of 125,000 books, 40 types of magazines, and 28 different newspapers in Hindi, English, Urdu and Bangla and it also contains 21 Arabic manuscripts.{{cite web | title=Public library witnesses 37% increase in readers | website=The Times of India | date=23 September 2014 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Public-library-witnesses-37-increase-in-readers/articleshow/43224473.cms | access-date=8 July 2024}} A large number of Indian scholars are educated at different universities in Uttar Pradesh. Notable scholars who were born, worked or studied in the geographic area of the state include Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Motilal Nehru, Harish Chandra and Indira Gandhi.{{cite web | title=List of Famous Freedom Fighters from Uttar Pradesh | website=Jagranjosh.com | date=4 September 2018 | url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-famous-freedom-fighters-from-uttar-pradesh-1536056996-1 | access-date=6 May 2024}}

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{{Main|Tourism in Uttar Pradesh}}

{{See also|Kumbh Mela|Architecture of Uttar Pradesh}}

File:Kumbh Mela 2013 Sangam, Allahabd.jpg at Sangam, Allahabad, 2013]]

Uttar Pradesh ranks first in domestic tourist arrivals among all states of India.{{cite book |author=Upkar Prakashan – Editorial Board |title=Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ce8FpJzR-4C&pg=PA46 |access-date=26 July 2012 |year= 2010 |publisher=Upkar Prakashan |isbn=978-8174824080 |pages=46–287 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528155016/http://books.google.com/books?id=_ce8FpJzR-4C&pg=PA46 |archive-date=28 May 2013}}{{cite journal |title=Performance of Tourist Centres in Uttar Pradesh: An Evaluation Using Data Envelopment Analysis |url=http://asci.org.in/journal/Vol.40(2010-11)/40_1_Masood%20H%20Siddiqui.pdf |publisher=Administrative Staff College of India |journal=ASCI Journal of Management |volume=40 |issue=1 |first1=Masood H. |last1=Siddiqui |first2=Shalini N. |last2=Tripathi |year=2011 |access-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804081245/http://asci.org.in/journal/Vol.40(2010-11)/40_1_Masood%20H%20Siddiqui.pdf |archive-date=4 August 2016 |url-status=live}} Some 44,000 foreign tourists arrived in the state in 2021, and almost 110 million domestic tourists.{{cite web |title=Uttar Pradesh |url=https://www.ibef.org/states/uttar-pradesh |publisher=India Brand Equity Foundation |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122094328/https://www.ibef.org/states/uttar-pradesh |url-status=live }} The Taj Mahal attracts some 7 million people a year, earning almost {{INRConvert|78|c|lk=on}} in ticket sales in 2018–19.{{cite news |date=10 July 2019 |last1=Sharma |first1=Aman |title=Tourists up at Taj Mahal and Red Fort but Qutub Minar loses its No.2 Spot |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/tourists-up-at-taj-mahal-and-red-fort-but-qutub-minar-loses-its-no-2-spot/articleshow/70152555.cms |access-date=29 March 2020 |work=The Economic Times |agency=Bennett, Coleman & Co. |publisher=The Times Group |ref=grow |archive-date=18 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318151817/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/tourists-up-at-taj-mahal-and-red-fort-but-qutub-minar-loses-its-no-2-spot/articleshow/70152555.cms |url-status=live }} The state is home to three World Heritage Sites: the Taj Mahal,{{cite web |title=Taj Mahal |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=27 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827000214/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252 |url-status=live }} Agra Fort,{{cite web |title=Agra Fort |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/251 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=17 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717221242/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/251/ |url-status=live }} and the nearby Fatehpur Sikri.{{cite web |title=Fatehpur Sikri |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/255 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514052508/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/255 |url-status=live }}

Religious tourism plays a significant role in the state's economy. Varanasi is a major religious hub and one of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism.{{cite book |last1=Fouberg |first1=Erin H. |last2=Moseley |first2=William G. |title=Understanding World Geography |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=New York |page=173 |isbn=9781119473169 |oclc=1066742384 |year=2018}}{{cite book |last=Eck |first=Diana |author-link=Diana Eck |title=Banaras, the City of Light |publisher=Alfred Knopf Inc, [Columbia University Press] |orig-year=1981 |page=324 |year=2013}}{{cite book |last=Parry |first=Jonathan P. |title=Death in Banaras |series=Lewis Henry Morgan Lectures |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2000 |orig-year=1994 |page=1 |isbn=9780521466257 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r10f4uwzcosC}} Vrindavan is considered to be a holy place for Vaishnavism.{{cite book |surname=Hawley |given=John Stratton |title=Krishna's Playground: Vrindavan in the 21st Century |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2020 |isbn=978-0190123987 |place=Oxford}}{{cite book |last=Gopal |first=Madan |url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada |title=India through the ages |publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India |year=1990 |editor=K.S. Gautam |page=[https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/176 176]}} Sravasti generally considered as revered sites in Buddhism, believed to be where the Buddha taught many of his Suttas (sermons).{{cite web | title=Ministry of Tourism presents its latest webinar on "In the Footsteps of the Buddha" under Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series | website=Press Information Bureau | date=7 February 2019 | url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1653937 | ref={{sfnref | Press Information Bureau| 2019}} | access-date=6 May 2024}} Owing to the belief as to the birthplace of Rama, Ayodhya (Awadh) has been regarded as one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites.{{cite book |last=Paramasivan |first=Vasudha |chapter=Yah Ayodhya Vah Ayodhya: Earthly and Cosmic Journeys in the Anand-lahari |editor=Heidi R. M. Pauwels |title=Patronage and Popularisation, Pilgrimage and Procession |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-447-05723-3 |pages=101–116}}{{cite web |title=District Ayodhya – Government of Uttar Pradesh: City Of Lord Rama: India |url=https://ayodhya.nic.in/ |access-date=10 August 2021|archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108190706/https://ayodhya.nic.in/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://ayodhya.nic.in/about-district/ |title=About District |website=District Ayodhya – Government of Uttar Pradesh |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=9 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109061219/https://ayodhya.nic.in/about-district/ |url-status=live }} Millions gather at Prayagraj to take part in the Magh Mela festival on the banks of the Ganges.{{cite book|first=Kama |last=MacLean |title=Pilgrimage and Power: The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, 1765–1954|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MALacgnsroMC|access-date=25 July 2012|year= 2008|publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0195338942|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527022328/http://books.google.com/books?id=MALacgnsroMC |archive-date=27 May 2013}} This festival is organised on a larger scale every 12th year and is called the Kumbh Mela, where over 10 million Hindu pilgrims congregate in one of the largest gatherings of people in the world.{{cite news |title=Hindus gather for the Kumbh Mela at the Ganges in India and Maha Shivaratri in Allahabad |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/7222387/pictures-Hindus-gather-for-the-Kumbh-Mela-in-India-and-Maha-Shivaratri-in-Nepal.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=25 January 2011 |date=12 February 2010|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127012405/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/7222387/pictures-Hindus-gather-for-the-Kumbh-Mela-in-India-and-Maha-Shivaratri-in-Nepal.html |archive-date=27 January 2011}}

Buddhist attractions in Uttar Pradesh include stupas and monasteries. The historically important towns of Sarnath where Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon after his enlightenment and died at Kushinagar; both of which are important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists.{{cite web|title=Sarnath General Information|url=http://varanasi.nic.in/tourist/tourist7.html |publisher=Tourism department of Varanasi |access-date=8 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508235741/http://varanasi.nic.in/tourist/tourist7.html|archive-date=8 May 2012}} Also at Sarnath are the Pillars of Ashoka and the Lion Capital of Ashoka, both important archaeological artefacts with national significance. At a distance of {{Convert|80|km|abbr=in}} from Varanasi, Ghazipur is famous not only for its Ghats on the Ganges but also for the tomb of Lord Cornwallis, the 18th-century Governor of East India Company ruled Bengal Presidency. The tomb is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.{{cite book |first=Sanjeev |last=Joon |title=Complete Guide for SSC|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E9YfW2709psC&pg=RA2-PA93|access-date=25 July 2012 |publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education |isbn=978-0070706453|page=255|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528151112/http://books.google.com/books?id=E9YfW2709psC&pg=RA2-PA93 |archive-date=28 May 2013}} Jhansi Fort, located in the city of Jhansi, is closely associated with the "First War of Indian Independence", also known as the "Great Rebellion" or the Indian Rebellion of 1857.{{cite web |title=Jhansi Fort |url=https://jhansi.nic.in/forts/ |publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh |access-date=29 November 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323181613/https://jhansi.nic.in/forts/ |url-status=live }} The fort is constructed in accordance with medieval Indian military architecture, featuring thick walls, bastions, and various structures within its complex. The architecture reflects a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles.{{cite web |title=Ticketed Monuments – Uttar Pradesh jhansi Fort |url=https://asi.nic.in/jhansi-fort/ |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |access-date=29 November 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205043357/https://asi.nic.in/jhansi-fort/ |url-status=live }}

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Uttar Pradesh has a mix of public as well as private healthcare infrastructure. Public healthcare in Uttar Pradesh is provided through a grid of primary health centers, community health centers, district hospitals, and medical colleges. Although an extensive network of public and private sector healthcare providers has been built, the available health infrastructure is inadequate to meet the demand for health services in the state.{{cite journal |last1=Anand |first1=Manjaree |title=Health status and health care services in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: A comparative study |journal=Indian Journal of Public Health |date=1 July 2014 |volume=58 |issue=3 |pages=174–9 |doi=10.4103/0019-557X.138624 |pmid=25116823|issn=0019-557X|doi-access=free}} In 15 years to 2012–13, the population increased by more than 25 per cent. The public health centres, which are the frontline of the government's health care system, decreased by 8 per cent.{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/vital_statistics/AHSBulletins/AHS_Factsheets_2012-13/FACTSHEET-UTTAR_PRADESH.pdf|title=Annual Health Survey 2012–13 Fact Sheet – Uttar Pradesh|year=2013|website=Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|access-date=13 September 2017|ref=health|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113214808/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/vital_statistics/AHSBulletins/AHS_Factsheets_2012-13/FACTSHEET-UTTAR_PRADESH.pdf|archive-date=13 November 2017}} Smaller sub-centres, the first point of public contact, increased by no more than 2 per cent over the 25 years to 2015, a period when the population grew by more than 51 per cent. The state is also facing challenges such as a shortage of healthcare professionals, increasing cost of healthcare, a lack of essential medicines and equipment, the mushrooming of private healthcare and a lack of planning.{{cite news |last1=Perappadan |first1=Bindu Shajan |title=India facing critical shortage of healthcare providers: WHO |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/india-facing-critical-shortage-of-healthcare-providers-who/article27096738.ece |access-date=17 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |agency=The Hindu Group |date=11 May 2019 |archive-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617151333/https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/india-facing-critical-shortage-of-healthcare-providers-who/article27096738.ece |url-status=live }} The number of doctors registered with State Medical Councils or the Medical Council of India in Uttar Pradesh was 77,549.{{cite web |title=Doctors Registered |url=https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/171/AU3334.pdf?source=pqals |publisher=The Ministry Of Health And Family Welfare |access-date=30 July 2024}} {{As of|2019}}, the number of government hospital in rural and urban areas of Uttar Pradesh stood at 4,442 with 39,104 beds and 193 with 37,156 beds respectively. The average population served per government hospital stands at 47,782 individuals.{{cite web |title=State/UT wise Number of Government Hospitals |url=https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/171/AU3295.pdf?source=pqals |publisher=Directorate General of State Health Services |access-date=30 July 2024}} {{As of|December 2023}}, Out-of-pocket expenditures in Uttar Pradesh is {{INRConvert|60883|c}}, highest in India.{{cite web |title=Out Of Pocket Expenditure Data |url=https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/262/AU263.pdf?source=pqars |publisher=Department Of Health And Family Welfare |access-date=31 July 2024}}

A newborn in Uttar Pradesh is expected to live four years fewer than in the neighbouring state of Bihar, five years fewer than in Haryana and seven years fewer than in Himachal Pradesh. The state contributed to the largest share of almost all communicable and noncommunicable disease deaths, including 48 per cent of all typhoid deaths (2014); 17 per cent of cancer deaths and 18 per cent of tuberculosis deaths (2015). Its maternal mortality ratio is higher than the national average at 285 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births (2021), with 64.2 per cent of pregnant women unable to access minimum ante-natal care.{{cite web |title=Maternal & Adolescent Healthcare |url=https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/03Chapter.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) |access-date=30 July 2024}}{{cite web |title=Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) (Per 100000 Live Births) |url=https://niti.gov.in/content/maternal-mortality-ratio-mmr-100000-live-births |publisher=NITI Aayog |access-date=24 May 2020 |archive-date=15 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115010734/http://niti.gov.in/content/maternal-mortality-ratio-mmr-100000-live-births |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Menaka |title=Uttar Pradesh has a free ambulance service for pregnant women but substandard hospitals |url=https://scroll.in/pulse/827874/uttar-pradesh-has-a-free-ambulance-service-for-pregnant-women-but-substandard-hospitals |access-date=24 May 2020 |work=Scroll.in |agency=Scroll Media Inc, US |date=8 February 2017 |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928064649/https://scroll.in/pulse/827874/uttar-pradesh-has-a-free-ambulance-service-for-pregnant-women-but-substandard-hospitals |url-status=live }} Around 42 per cent of pregnant women, more than 1.5 million, deliver babies at home. About two-thirds (61 per cent) of childbirths at home in the state are unsafe.{{cite web|url=http://www.uhrc.in/downloads/Reports/up.pdf|title=State of Urban Health in Uttar Pradesh – Urban Health Resource Center|website=Urban Health Resource Centre|publisher=Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India|access-date=14 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722150012/http://www.uhrc.in/downloads/Reports/up.pdf|archive-date=22 July 2017}} It has the highest child mortality indicators,{{cite web |title=Estimates of mortality indicators |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/vital_statistics/SRS_Report_2017/11.%20Chap%204-Estimates%20of%20Mortality%20Indicators-2017.pdf |publisher=Census of India |access-date=24 May 2020 |archive-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114040231/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/vital_statistics/SRS_Report_2017/11.%20Chap%204-Estimates%20of%20Mortality%20Indicators-2017.pdf |url-status=live }} from the neonatal mortality rate to the under-five mortality rate of 64 children who die per 1,000 live births before five years of age, 35 die within a month of birth, and 50 do not complete a year of life.{{cite web|url=http://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/RHS_1.pdf|title=Rural Health Statistics 2014–15|year=2015|website=Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India|access-date=13 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829050157/http://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/RHS_1.pdf|archive-date=29 August 2017}}

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{{Main|Culture of Uttar Pradesh}}

{{Main|Languages of Uttar Pradesh}}

File:Kurukshetra.jpg, folio from the Mahabharata]]

Several texts and hymns of the Vedic literature were composed in Uttar Pradesh. Renowned Indian writers who have resided in Uttar Pradesh were Kabir, Ravidas, and Tulsidas, who wrote much of his Ram Charit Manas in Varanasi. The festival of Guru Purnima is dedicated to Sage Vyasa, and also known as Vyasa Purnima as it is the day which is believed to be his birthday and also the day he divided the Vedas.{{cite book |title=Awakening Indians to India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AIU4LzftaPAC&pg=PA167 |year=2008 |publisher=Chinmaya Mission |isbn=978-8175974340 |page=167 |access-date=5 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528135339/http://books.google.com/books?id=AIU4LzftaPAC&pg=PA167&dq=%22Guru+Purnima%22+-inpublisher%3Aicon&cd=8#v=onepage&q=%22Guru%20Purnima%22%20-inpublisher%3Aicon&f=false |archive-date=28 May 2013}}

Hindi became the language of state administration with the Uttar Pradesh Official Language Act of 1951.{{cite web|url=http://uplegassembly.nic.in/UPLL.HTML |title=Uttar Pradesh Legislature |publisher=U.P assembly |access-date=21 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619093010/http://www.uplegassembly.nic.in/UPLL.HTML |archive-date=19 June 2009}} A 1989 amendment to the act added Urdu, as an additional language of the state.{{Cite web |url=http://www.lawsofindia.org/pdf/uttar_pradesh/1989/1989UP28.pdf |title=The Uttar Pradesh Official Language (Amendment) Act, 1989 |access-date=7 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707095531/http://www.lawsofindia.org/pdf/uttar_pradesh/1989/1989UP28.pdf |archive-date=7 July 2019 |url-status=usurped}} Linguistically, the state spreads across the Central, East-Central, and Eastern zones of the Indo Aryan languages. The major Hindi languages of the state are Awadhi, Bagheli, Bundeli, Braj Bhasha, Kannauji, and Hindustani.{{cite web |url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=bfy |title=Ethnologue report for language code: bfy |publisher=Ethnologue |access-date=21 September 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416015135/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=bfy |archive-date=16 April 2009}} Bhojpuri, an Eastern Indo Aryan language, is also spoken in the state.{{Cite book |last=Frawley |first=William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sl_dDVctycgC&dq=Bhojpuri+eastern+indo+aryan+language&pg=PA481 |title=International Encyclopedia of Linguistics: 4-Volume Set |date=May 2003 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-513977-8|access-date=11 September 2022 |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427232735/https://books.google.com/books?id=sl_dDVctycgC&dq=Bhojpuri+eastern+indo+aryan+language&pg=PA481 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Music of Uttar Pradesh}}

With each district of Uttar Pradesh having its unique music and tradition, traditional folk music in Uttar Pradesh has been categorised in three different ways including music transmitted orally, music with unknown composers and music performed by custom. During the medieval period, two distinct types of music began to emerge in Uttar Pradesh. One was the courtly music, which received support from cities like Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lucknow, Jaunpur, Varanasi, and Banda. The other was the religious music stemming from the Bhakti Cult, which thrived in places like Mathura, Vrindavan, and Ayodhya.{{cite web | title=Visit the land of the Taj for some Hindustani music & dance | website=The Economic Times | date=10 March 2016 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/travel/visit-the-land-of-the-taj-for-some-hindustani-music-dance/articleshow/51288777.cms?from=mdr | access-date=6 May 2024}} The popular folk music of Uttar Pradesh includes sohar, which is sung to celebrate the birth of a child. Evolved into the form of semi-classical singing, Kajari sung during the rainy season, and its singing style is closely associated the Benares gharana.{{cite web | title=List of Folk Music of Uttar Pradesh | website=Jagranjosh.com | date=12 July 2018 | url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-folk-music-of-uttar-pradesh-1531391804-1 | access-date=6 May 2024}} Ghazal, Thumri and Qawwali which is a form of Sufi poetry is popular in the Awadh region, Rasiya (especially popular in Braj), which celebrate the divine love of Radha and Krishna. Khayal is a form of semi-classical singing which comes from the courts of Awadh. Other forms of music are Biraha, Chaiti, Chowtal, Alha, and Sawani.

Kathak, a classical dance form, owes its origin to the state of Uttar Pradesh.{{cite book |first=Margaret E. |last=Walker |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nC83DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA100 |title=India's Kathak Dance in Historical Perspective |publisher=Routledge |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-317-11737-7 |pages=100–102}} Ramlila is one of the oldest dramatic folk dances; it depicts the life of the Hindu deity Rama and is performed during festivals such as Vijayadashami.{{cite journal | last1=Schechner | first1=Richard | last2=Hess | first2=Linda | title=The Ramlila of Ramnagar [India] | journal=The Drama Review | publisher=The MIT Press | volume=21 | issue=3 | year=1977 | pages=51–82 | doi=10.2307/1145152 | jstor=1145152 }} Nautanki is a traditional form of folk theatre that originated in Uttar Pradesh. It typically portrays a variety of themes ranging from historical and mythological tales to social and political commentary.{{cite web | last=Goyal | first=Shikha | title=List of Folk Dances of Different States in India | website=Jagranjosh.com | date=3 January 2022 | url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/lists-of-states-and-folk-dances-of-india-1466770456-1 | access-date=6 May 2024}} In the gharana dance form, both the Lucknow and the Benares gharanas are situated in the state.{{cite news |title=Kathak: The cultural gem of Uttar Pradesh |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/travel/kathak-cultural-gem-uttar-pradesh-1503037669.html |access-date=22 January 2023 |work=The Statesman |date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122175009/https://www.thestatesman.com/travel/kathak-cultural-gem-uttar-pradesh-1503037669.html |url-status=live }} Charkula is popular dance of the Braj region.{{Cite web |title=Charkula Dance |url=http://www.charkula.com/dance_charkula.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126222148/http://charkula.com/dance_charkula.asp |archive-date=26 January 2020 |access-date=27 January 2023 |website=Charkula}}

File:Vegetarian Curry.jpeg, sultani dal, raita, and shahi paneer]]

Chhath Puja is the biggest festival of eastern Uttar Pradesh.{{Cite web |date=18 October 2021 |title=Chhath puja and the centrality of the Purvanchal community in Delhi politics |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/chhath-puja-and-the-centrality-of-the-purvanchal-community-in-delhi-politics-101634568992424.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101210315/https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/chhath-puja-and-the-centrality-of-the-purvanchal-community-in-delhi-politics-101634568992424.html |archive-date=1 January 2023 |access-date=6 September 2022 |website=Hindustan Times}} The Kumbh Mela, organised in the month of Maagha (February—March), is a major festival held every twelve years in rotation at Prayagraj on the river Ganges.{{cite journal |title=Making the Colonial State Work for You: The Modern Beginnings of the Ancient Kumbh Mela in Allahabad |last=Maclean |first=Kama |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |year=2003 |volume=62 |pages=873–905 |number=3 |doi=10.2307/3591863 |jstor=3591863 |s2cid=162404242 }} Lathmar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi. It takes place well before the actual Holi in the town of Barsana near Mathura.{{cite news |title=What is Lathmar Holi? Why is it celebrated? |publisher=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/why-is-lathmar-holi-celebrated-in-barsana-and-nandgaon/1/624875.html |date=21 March 2016 |accessdate=6 December 2017 |archive-date=5 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105044957/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/why-is-lathmar-holi-celebrated-in-barsana-and-nandgaon/1/624875.html |url-status=live }} Taj Mahotsav, held annually at Agra, is a colourful display of the culture of the Braj area.{{cite news |date=19 March 2011 |title=The Braj Holi: Legend in real life |work=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/the-braj-holi-legend-in-real-life/story-KolfzC30FW5KEZtKs5v9gN.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322041343/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/lifestyle/The-Braj-Holi-Legend-in-real-life/Article1-675341.aspx |archive-date=22 March 2011}} Ganga Mahotsav, a festival of Kartik Purnima, is celebrated fifteen days after Diwali.{{cite web|title=The glorious traditions and mythological legacy |url=http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/varanasi/fair_festival.htm |publisher=Department of tourism U.P |access-date=18 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629052417/http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/varanasi/fair_festival.htm |archive-date=29 June 2012}}

{{Main|Cuisine of Uttar Pradesh}}

Mughlai cuisine is a style of cooking developed in the Indian subcontinent by the {{linktext|imperial}} kitchens of the Mughal Empire. It represents the cooking styles used in North India, especially Uttar Pradesh, and has been strongly influenced by Central Asian cuisine. Awadhi cuisine from the city of Lucknow consists of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. It has been greatly influenced by Mughlai cuisine.{{cite news |title=How is Awadhi Cuisine different from Mughlai Cuisine |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/how-is-awadhi-cuisine-different-from-mughlai-cuisine/photostory/88918225.cms |access-date=22 January 2023 |work=The Times of India |date=16 January 2022 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122175602/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/how-is-awadhi-cuisine-different-from-mughlai-cuisine/photostory/88918225.cms |url-status=live }}

Bhojpuri cuisine is a style of food preparation common in the districts located near the Bihar border. Bhojpuri foods are mostly mild and tend to be less hot in terms of spices used. The cuisine consists of both vegetable and meat dishes.{{cite web | title=Bhojpuri: सवाद के सरताज ह फुटेहरी, रउआ सभे खइले जरूर होखब! | website=News18 हिंदी | date=24 May 2021 | url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/bhojpuri-news/footehari-litti-chokha-is-desi-food-of-purvanchal-is-very-tasty-3598250.html | language=hi | access-date=8 July 2024}}

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{{Geographic location

|Centre = Uttar Pradesh

|North = Uttarakhand   

|Northeast = Sudurpashchim Province, Lumbini Province and Gandaki Province, {{flag|Nepal}}

|East = Bihar

|Southeast = Jharkhand
Chhattisgarh

|South = Madhya Pradesh

|Southwest = Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh

|West = Haryana
Rajasthan

|Northwest = Himachal Pradesh
Haryana
Delhi

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