<–2/”>a >Starting from Bengal in the later half of the 18th century, a series of battles for North Indian lands finally gave the British East India Company accession over this state’s territories – including the territories of Bundelkhand, Kumaon and Benaras rulers – and the last Mughal territories of Doab and Delhi. When the Company included Ajmer and Jaipur kingdoms in this northern territory, they named it the “North-Western Provinces” (of Agra). Today, the area may seem large compared to several of the Republic of India’s present ‘mini-states’ – no more than the size of earlier ‘divisions’ of the British era – but at the time it was one of the smallest British provinces. Its capital shifted twice between Agra and Allahabad.
Due to dissatisfaction with British rule, a serious rebellion erupted in various parts of North India; Meerut cantonment’s sepoy, Mangal Pandey, is widely credited as its starting point. It came to be known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857. After the revolt failed the British attempted to divide the most rebellious regions by reorganising the administrative boundaries of the region, splitting the Delhi region from ‘NWFP of Agra’ and merging it with Punjab, 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. It was commonly referred to as the United Provinces or its acronym UP.
In 1920, the capital of the province was shifted from Allahabad to Lucknow. The High Court continued to be at Allahabad, but a bench was established at Lucknow. Allahabad continues to be an important administrative base of today’s Uttar Pradesh and has several administrative headquarters.
Uttar Pradesh continued to be central to Indian politics and was especially important in modern Indian history as a hotbed of both the Indian Independence Movement and the Pakistan Movement. Nationally known figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru were among the leaders of the movement in UP. The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was formed at the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress on 11 April 1936 with the legendary nationalist Swami Sahajanand Saraswati elected as its first President, in order to address the long standing grievances of the peasantry and mobilise them against the zamindari landlords’ attacks on their occupancy rights, thus sparking the Farmers’ movement in India.
During the Quit India Movement of 1942, Ballia district overthrew the colonial authority and installed an independent administration under Chittu Pandey. Ballia became known then as Baghi Ballia (Rebel Ballia) for this significant contribution in India’s freedom movement.
Post-independence
Modern-day Uttar Pradesh saw the rise of important freedom fighters on the national scenario. Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, Smt. Indira Gandhi, Sri Charan Singh and Sri Chandra Shekhar were only a few of the important names who played a significant role in India’s freedom movement and also rose to become the prime ministers of this great nation.
After independence, the state was renamed Uttar Pradesh (“northern province”) by its first chief minister, Govind Ballabh Pant. Pant was well acquainted with and close to Jawaharlal Nehru (the first Prime Minister of free India) and was also popular in the Congress Party. He established such a good reputation in Lucknow that Nehru called him to Delhi, the capital and seat of Central Government of the country, to make him Home Minister of India in 27 December 1954. He was succeeded by Dr. Sampoornanand, a classicist Sanskrit scholar. Following a political crisis in Uttar Pradesh, initiated by Kamlapati Tripathi and C.B.Gupta, Sampurnanand was asked to resign as CM in 1960 and sent to Rajasthan as the Governor of Rajasthan, paving the way for Gupta and Tripathi to become Chief Ministers.
Sucheta Kripalani served as India’s first woman chief minister from October 1963 until March 1967, when a two-month long strike by state employees caused her to step down. After her, Chandra Bhanu Gupta assumed the office of Chief Minister with Laxmi Raman Acharya as Finance Minister, but the government lasted for only two years due to the confusion and chaos which ended only with the defection of Charan Singh from the Congress with a small set of legislators. He set up a party called the Jana Congress, which formed the first non-Congress government in U.P. and ruled for over a year.
Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna was chief minister for Congress Party government for part of the 1970s. He was dismissed by the Central Government headed by Indira Gandhi, along with several other non-Congress chief ministers, shortly after the imposition of the widely unpopular Emergency, when Narain Dutt Tewari – later chief minister of Uttarakhand – became chief minister. The Congress Party lost heavily in 1977 Elections, following the lifting of the Emergency, but romped back to power in 1980, when Mrs. Gandhi handpicked the man who would later become her son’s principal opposition, V.P. Singh, to become Chief Minister.
Creation of the state of Uttarakhand
On 9 November 2000, the Himalayan portion of the state, comprising the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions and Haridwar district, was formed into a new state ‘Uttaranchal’, now called Uttarakhand, meaning the ‘Northern Segment’ state.,
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, with a Population of over 200 million people. It is also one of the most politically important states in the country. The state has a long and complex history, dating back to the ancient period.
In the early 20th century, Uttar Pradesh was part of the British Indian Empire. After independence in 1947, the state was partitioned, with the western part becoming part of the new state of Haryana. The capital was moved from Allahabad to Lucknow.
The first two decades after independence were a time of great change and upheaval in Uttar Pradesh. The state experienced a number of political and social upheavals, including the Partition riots, The Naxalite Movement, and the Mandal Commission.
The period from 1967 to 1989 was a time of relative stability in Uttar Pradesh. The state was ruled by the Janata Party and the Congress Party for most of this period. However, there were also a number of political and social challenges, including the Emergency, the Bhopal gas tragedy, and the Babri Masjid demolition.
The period from 1989 to 2007 was a time of great political instability in Uttar Pradesh. The state was ruled by a number of different parties, including the Janata Dal, the Bahujan Samaj Party, and the Samajwadi Party. There were also a number of major political and social challenges, including the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the communal riots of 1992-93, and the Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013.
The period from 2007 to the present has been a time of relative stability in Uttar Pradesh. The state has been ruled by the Samajwadi Party for most of this period. However, there have also been a number of political and social challenges, including the Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013, the Akhlaq lynching case, and the Yogi Adityanath government’s crackdown on cow slaughter and other “anti-social” activities.
Uttar Pradesh is a state with a rich and complex history. It has been a major center of Indian culture and civilization for centuries. The state has also played a significant role in the political and social development of India.
The future of Uttar Pradesh is uncertain. The state faces a number of challenges, including POVERTY, illiteracy, and crime. However, it also has a number of strengths, including a large and growing economy, a young and educated population, and a rich cultural heritage. The state has the potential to become a major economic and political power in India.
The following are some of the major challenges facing Uttar Pradesh:
- Poverty: Uttar Pradesh is one of the poorest states in India. According to the 2011 census, over 22% of the population lives below the Poverty Line.
- Illiteracy: Uttar Pradesh also has a high rate of illiteracy. According to the 2011 census, over 29% of the population is illiterate.
- Crime: Uttar Pradesh has a high crime rate. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Uttar Pradesh reported over 2.5 lakh crimes in 2016.
- Corruption: Uttar Pradesh is also a state with a high level of corruption. According to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, Uttar Pradesh is ranked 130th out of 180 countries in terms of corruption.
Despite these challenges, Uttar Pradesh also has a number of strengths:
- A large and growing economy: Uttar Pradesh has the largest economy in India, with a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of over $1 trillion. The state’s economy is growing at a rate of over 7% per year.
- A young and educated population: Uttar Pradesh has a young and educated population. According to the 2011 census, over 60% of the population is below the age of 35. The state also has a high Literacy rate, with over 70% of the population literate.
- A rich cultural heritage: Uttar Pradesh is a state with a rich cultural heritage. The state is home to a number of historical and cultural sites, including the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and the Qutub Minar.
The future of Uttar Pradesh is uncertain. The state faces a number of challenges, including poverty, illiteracy, and crime. However, it also has a number of strengths, including a large and growing economy, a young and educated population, and a rich cultural heritage. The state has the potential to become a major economic and political power in India.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the modern history of Uttar Pradesh after independence:
- What is the modern history of Uttar Pradesh after independence?
The modern history of Uttar Pradesh after independence is a complex and fascinating one. The state has seen a great deal of change and development in the years since 1947, and it continues to be a major player in Indian politics and Society.
- What are some of the key events in the modern history of Uttar Pradesh?
Some of the key events in the modern history of Uttar Pradesh include the partition of India, the Green Revolution, the Mandal Commission, and the rise of Hindutva politics.
- How has Uttar Pradesh changed since independence?
Uttar Pradesh has changed a great deal since independence. The state has seen a significant increase in population, Urbanization, and Economic Development. It has also experienced a number of political and social upheavals.
- What are some of the challenges facing Uttar Pradesh today?
Some of the challenges facing Uttar Pradesh today include poverty, illiteracy, Unemployment, and communal violence. The state also faces a number of environmental challenges, such as Air Pollution and water scarcity.
- What are some of the opportunities for Uttar Pradesh in the future?
Uttar Pradesh has a number of opportunities for Growth and development in the future. The state has a large and young population, a strong economy, and a rich cultural heritage. It is also well-positioned to benefit from the growth of the Indian economy.
- What is the role of Uttar Pradesh in India?
Uttar Pradesh is one of the most important states in India. It is the most populous state in the country, and it has a significant impact on Indian politics and society. Uttar Pradesh is also a major economic powerhouse, and it is home to a number of important industries.
- What is the future of Uttar Pradesh?
The future of Uttar Pradesh is bright. The state has a number of strengths, and it is well-positioned to benefit from the growth of the Indian economy. Uttar Pradesh is also a major player in Indian politics and society, and it is likely to continue to play an important role in the years to come.
Sure, here are some MCQs about the history of Uttar Pradesh:
Which of the following is not a major river in Uttar Pradesh?
(A) Ganges
(B) Yamuna
(C) Brahmaputra
(D) NarmadaWhich of the following is the capital of Uttar Pradesh?
(A) Lucknow
(B) Agra
(C) Kanpur
(D) VaranasiUttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India. True or False?
Uttar Pradesh is a Hindi-speaking state. True or False?
The Mughal Empire was founded in Uttar Pradesh. True or False?
The Taj Mahal is located in Uttar Pradesh. True or False?
The Kumbh Mela is held in Uttar Pradesh every 12 years. True or False?
The Gorakhnath Temple is located in Uttar Pradesh. True or False?
The Chaar Dham pilgrimage circuit is located in Uttar Pradesh. True or False?
The Ajanta Caves are located in Uttar Pradesh. False.
I hope these questions were helpful!