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Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is an Indian state which is located in northern India. Uttar Pradesh gained recognition during the British rule and came into being on April 1, 1937 as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. It was later in the year 1950 when the state was renamed Uttar Pradesh. With an area of 93,023 sq. m, UP is the fourth Indian largest state. Also, UP is the most populous Indian state and the most populous country subdivision in the world. UP shares its borders with nine states including Rajasthan to the west, Uttarakhand to the north, Bihar to the east, Madhya Pradesh to the south and Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh to the southeast. The state also shares an international border with Nepal. The state capital is Lucknow with Allahabad serving as the judicial capital. Ganga and Yamuna are the two major rivers that flow through the state. Meanwhile, Awadhi, Bagheli, Bundeli, Braj Bhasha, Kannauji are the major languages spoken in the state.
Interestingly, Indian classical dance form, Kathak is said to be originated from the land of UP. The state is world-famous for Nawabi foods or Awadhi cuisine which is influenced by Mughal cooking techniques (dum style of cooking) such as ‘biryani’, ‘korma’, ‘kebab’, ‘sheermal’, ‘nahari-kulchas’.
Considered the second-largest economy in India, Mughalsarai (city in UP) is home to major locomotive plants. UP is worldwide famous for carpet weaving hand printing, chikan embroidery and brocade work. UP also houses the biggest brass and copperware manufacture area in India. In addition to this, the state also boasts a fair number of tourist sites such as the iconic Taj Mahal (included in the Seven Wonders of the World), Khas Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Art Gallery etc.
