Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is a state located in northern India.

The name comes from two Sanskrit words. "Uttara" means north. "Khanda" means a section or part. Together, the name simply means the Northern Part. The state covers 1.6% of the total area of India. It is bordered by Tibet to the north and Nepal to the east. Himachal Pradesh lies to the northwest. Uttar Pradesh sits to the south. The state is divided into two main regions. These are Garhwal and Kumaon. There are 13 districts in total. Dehradun is the state capital. Nainital serves as the judicial capital.

The geography of Uttarakhand is defined by the Himalayas. The state contains two major rivers. The Ganges river begins at the Gangotri glacier. The Yamuna river begins at the Yamunotri glacier. Much of the land is covered in forest. Forest cover accounts for 45.4% of the total area. Only 16% of the land is used for cultivation. The state is ranked 6th among the top ten greenest states in India. It also maintains a high Air Quality Index, or AQI. This makes the environment very healthy for plants and animals.

The history of the region reaches back to prehistoric times. Archaeologists have found evidence of Stone Age settlements. These include rock shelters and stone tools. One notable site is the Lakhudiyar caves in Almora.

During the Vedic age, the area was part of the Kuru and Panchal kingdoms. Many different dynasties have ruled these mountains. The Kunindas ruled in the second century BCE. They practiced an early form of Shaivism. They also traded salt with Western Tibet. Ashokan edicts at Kalsi show that Buddhism was also present in the region.

Many groups have controlled the land over the centuries. These include the Mauryas, Guptas, and Katyuris. The Katyuri dynasty ruled from the 4th to the 14th centuries. They were based in the Katyur valley. Later, the region was divided into the Kumaon and Garhwal kingdoms. In 1791, the Gorkha Empire of Nepal took control of Almora. The Garhwal Kingdom also fell to the Gurkhas in 1803. Eventually, the British took control following the Anglo-Nepalese War. This happened through the Treaty of Sugauli. The British merged parts of the region into the Ceded and Conquered Provinces.

Local rulers also held power in the southern parts. In the Haridwar district, the Panwar clan held many villages. Some local families were known as the Haridwari Rajas. They built many temples and ghats along the Ganges. For example, Queen DhanKaur built the Dakshamahadev Temple in 1810. Another important estate was the Timli estate in Dehradun. This estate was founded in the mid-15th century. These local histories show how complex the mountain politics were.

After India gained independence, Uttarakhand was part of Uttar Pradesh. People began to ask for a separate state. This movement gained a lot of momentum in 1994. A notable event was the Rampur Tiraha firing case. This event caused a large public uproar. In 1998, the Uttar Pradesh government passed the Reorganisation Bill. This started the official process of making a new state. On November 9, 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of India. The state is often called "Devabhumi," which means Land of the Gods. This is due to its many Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites.

The economy of Uttarakhand has changed over time. It was once driven by agriculture and hydropower. Now, the service industry is the main driver. This sector includes travel, tourism, and the hotel industry. The Gross State Domestic Product, or GSDP, is a measure of this economic value. The state also has a strong cultural identity. People are called Garhwali or Kumaoni. Hindi is the official language. Many people also speak regional languages like Jaunsari or Bhotia. The state is home to two World Heritage sites and many natural wonders.