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AsiaIS > India > UttarPradesh > Introduction
| UTTAR
PRADESH |
| Uttar Pradesh is the essence of
India, the image of the nation in a microcosm. Often misleadingly referred to as the
‘cow belt’, it has been the home of thinkers and philosophers, dancers and
musicians, poets and writers, artistes and artisans, leaders and politicians,
intellectuals and academics. Time stopped to create history on its soil - religious
thinkers preached their new messages, emperors wrote love songs in marble, leaders forged
a new nation from an old bondage and even the gods frolicked and flirted on this very
land. |
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Its cities and towns tell the tales of
gods who lived in Ayodhya and Mathura; of kings and queens who left indelible reminders
behind them in Agra, Lucknow and Jhansi; of conquering heroes and vanquished armies who
fought in Kanpur, Kannauj and Chunar and of sages and sinners who came in search of
salvation and found it in Benares, Haridwar and Prayag. |
| Given its vast
dimensions, Uttar Pradesh offers a wide range of destinations for the inveterate
traveller, whatever his inclination be. He can choose from historical cities, pilgrim
centres, wildlife sanctuaries and adventure destinations. He can walk in the footsteps of
kings, be part of a vast multitude of pilgrims, tread the path well trodden or go where
few have gone before. |
F A C
T B O X |
| Area |
2,36, 286 sq. km. |
| Population |
166,052,859 (2001) |
| Capital City |
Lucknow |
| Religion |
Majority Hindu, 16% Muslims |
| Language |
Hindi & Urdu |
| Literacy |
57. 36% |
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