The heartland of India is undoubtedly Uttar Pradesh. Many scholars, according to their opinion, point out the heartland of India to other places. First of all, we have to understand what is meant by the heartland of a nation?
The heartland theory is a major theory from a geostrategic perspective, given by Mackinder, a British geographer and founder of British geopolitics. He presented time-to-time assessment and prospects of the world’s strategic activities ie geo-political scenario, which was given enough importance in geo-politics. From this point of view also Uttar Pradesh becomes the heartland of India.
Let us also tell our readers that in the year 1902 the name of North West Province was changed to United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. In common parlance it was called UP. In 1920, the state capital was shifted from Prayagraj to Lucknow. The High Court of the State remained at Prayagraj and a Bench of the High Court was established at Lucknow.
UP also has special importance because of its maximum number of MP seats. It is also said that the way to rule Delhi comes from UP only.
Uttar Pradesh is a state of India located in northern India. It is the most populous state of India and the largest city of India, Lucknow is located in it. Uttar Pradesh is situated in the heart of India in the middle of the Indian subcontinent. This state is also very important for Indian culture and history. Uttar Pradesh is considered to be the heartland of India as it houses many heritage sites that have a deep connection with the culture and history of India
Uttar Pradesh, the heart of India, is a land of epics, holy rivers, ancient cities and pilgrimage.
In modern times, it is emerging as a driver of the nation’s economy with its network of expressways, industrial corridors, international airports, centers of educational and medical excellence, and an exporter of indigenous products.
Since the times of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Gautam Buddha and Lord Mahavira, the state has been the center of cultural and intellectual brilliance.
Initial introduction of Uttar Pradesh
Located in the northern part of India, bordering India’s capital New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh is one of the most popular and established tourist destinations in India for both Indians and non-Indians. The most populous state of India, Uttar Pradesh has many historical monuments and places of religious importance. Geographically, Uttar Pradesh is very diverse, with the Himalayan foothills in the extreme north and the Gangetic plain in the centre. It is also home to one of the most visited sites in India, the holiest city of Hinduism, Varanasi. Kumbh Nagri, Prayagraj. Kathak, one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh. [citation needed] Uttar Pradesh is in the center of India, hence it is also known as the heartland of India. The cuisines of Uttar Pradesh like Awadhi cuisine, Mughlai cuisine, Kumaoni cuisine are very famous not only in India but also abroad and Pratapgarh is also famous for Rajputana
Uttar Pradesh is known for its rich culture and tradition. It is home to the Ayodhya and Mathura birthplaces of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Lord Parashurama respectively. Uttar Pradesh attracts many national and international tourists. The Taj Mahal, one of the new seven wonders of the world in Agra, is also located in Uttar Pradesh.
There are different places to visit in Uttar Pradesh. Agra, Ayodhya, Jhansi, Kanpur and Lucknow are historical cities famous for their monuments. Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur and Prayagraj are holy cities for Hindus and Kushinagar and Sarnath are important Buddhist places among the four major pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha. Noida is the most developed urban city of Uttar Pradesh.
To promote tourism in the state from other parts of the country and the world, the Government of Uttar Pradesh established an Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arch covering the cities of Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi.
Places of interest in Uttar Pradesh include
Varanasi – the origin of Hinduism and the oldest city in the world, also known as the City of Temples, a holy place for devotees of Lord Shiva, has one of the world’s finest textile industries.
Agra – Taj Mahal and many other historical monuments and gardens
Ambedkar Nagar – historical place from ancient India to modern India and fastest growing industrial city of India.
Prayagraj – famous for its Kumbh Mela. The place where Indian national river Ganges and Yamuna and Saraswati rivers meet. A mass Hindu pilgrimage in which Hindus gather on the river Ganges. Akbar’s Fort is one of the most popular religious centers of ancient and modern India for Hinduism. Administrative and education capital of Uttar Pradesh.
Allahabad Museum – Prayagraj is a national level museum in Uttar Pradesh
Kanpur – The commercial and industrial center of Uttar Pradesh, many historical places from the British period and an ancient brick temple at Bhitargaon.
Lucknow – capital of Uttar Pradesh, many historical places of Nawab, British and ancient India.
Mathura – Birthplace of Lord Krishna of Hinduism and Neminath of Jainism.
Vrindavan
Ayodhya – the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Jhansi – Historical Place, Battleground of Rani Lakshmibai against British, Jhansi Fort.
Bareilly – A large city in Uttar Pradesh with many attractions like Banke Bihari Mandir, Hari Mandir, Ala Hazrat and Gandhi Udyan. The Jhumka style of music is associated with Bareilly.
Sarnath – Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, Buddha was one of the four pilgrimage places that his devotees should visit. The birthplace of Shreyansanath, the eleventh Jain Tirthankar of Jainism.
Kushinagar – It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained parinirvana after his death.
Fatehpur Sikri – Historical site for palaces and forts of the Mughal Empire.
Meerut – Historical place of Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 or First War of Indian Independence. Indian historical places from ancient India’s Mahabharata period to modern Uttar Pradesh, India.
Mirzapur Division – A center of carpet industry and popular tourist destination for its natural environment.
Ghaziabad – historical place from ancient India to modern India and fastest growing industrial city of India.
Noida and Greater Noida – IT, electronics and education hub of northern India. Largest city in India with planned and iconic skyscrapers.
Gorakhpur – The city was home to Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jain and Sikh saints. Birthplace of Paramahansa Yogananda, the great Hindu emperor Chandragupta Maurya. Gorakhpur is famous for Gorakhnath Temple (Gorakshanath Math), Chauri Chaura, Geeta Press, Geeta Vatika, Ramgarh Tal Lake, and is one of the fastest growing cities of Uttar Pradesh.
Jaunpur – Historical city founded by Sultan of Delhi Firoz Shah Tughlaq and named as Jaunpur Sultanate in memory of his father Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Mughal, Lodi and Islamic forts.
Dudhwa National Park – Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Bird Sanctuary, Unique Frog Temple at Oyal, Surat Bhawan Palace, Elephant ride.
Rehar – Several major tourist attractions can be mentioned around the city like Jim Corbett National Park (India) about 24 km, Nainital (India) about 69 km
Gonda – Moolgandhkuti. Jetavana Monastery in Gonda division, ruins of Buddha’s hut at Shravasti and Swaminarayan Chhapaiya: Chhapaiya village is situated at a distance of 50 km from the district headquarter. The main attraction of the place is the Swaminarayan Temple which marks the birthplace of Swaminarayan, or Sahajanand Swami, who was born here as Ghanshyam Pandey on 2 April 1781. Ghanshyam left Chhapaiya at the age of 11 to travel to pilgrimage sites across India. He completed his pilgrimage in western Gujarat, where he assumed the leadership of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. The Akshardham Temple in New Delhi and the one in Gandhinagar, Gujarat built by his spiritual successor, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, are both dedicated to him. His followers consider him to be a form of the supreme divinity.