Uttar Pradesh
Pradesh forms a major area of the Northern fertile plain or the Indo-Gangetic
plain. This area is said to have been occupied by the group of people referred
to as "Dasas" by the Aryans. It was through conquest that the Aryans
occupied this area and laid the foundations of a Hindu civilization. The regions
of Uttar Pradesh was said to have been the ancient Panchala country. The great
war of the Mahabharata between the Kauravas and Pandavas was said to have been
fought here. Besides the Kurus and Panchalas the Vatsas, the Kosis, Hosalas,
Videhas etc formed the early region of Uttar Pradesh. These areas were called
Madhyadesa. It was during the Aryan inhabitation that the epics of Mahabharata,
Ramayana, the Brahamanas and Puranas were written. During the reign of Ashoka,
works for public welfare was taken up. Having rich resources there was active
trade within and outside the country. The rule of the Magadha empire brought
Buddhism and Jainism into this region. This period witnessed administrative
and economic advancement.
AGRA
Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous
historical monuments in and around the city. The earliest reference for Agra
comes from the epical age, when Mahabharata refer Agra as Agravana. In the sources
prior to this, Agra has been referred as Arya Griha or the abode of the Aryans.
The first person who referred Agra by its modern name was Ptolemy.
Though the heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous
other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was
founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century.
Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and
introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Emperor Akbar
built the Agra fort and Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. Fatehpur Sikri remained
his capital for around fifteen years after which the city was left isolated
in mysterious circumstances. Jahangir beautified Agra with palaces and gardens
despite spending most of his time in Kashmir with which he was passionately
attached.
Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal Empire.
He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the Taj in memory
of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. In his later years, Shahjahan shifted his
capital to the new city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi and ruled from there. Shahjahan
was dethroned in 1658 by his son, Aurangzeb who imprisoned him in the Agra
Fort. Aurangzeb shifted the capital back to Agra till his death. After the
death of Aurangzeb, Mughal Empire could not touch its peak and many regional
kingdoms emerged. The post-Mughal era of Agra saw the rule of the Jats, Marathas
and finally the British taking over the city.
VARANASI
Varanasi cannot be described, only experienced. Sunrise on the riverfront, as
seen from a boat, can be a spiritually uplifting sight. The rich heritage is
reflected from its traditionally designed and maintained Varanasi hotel. The
purifying and sacred ghats of Varanasi are well known among the tourist. Portraying
the history of Varanasi in its beautiful temples, Varanasi tours offers exciting
pilgrimage tours and temple tours of India. Crowded with temples, and its labyrinth
of streets, the city attracts the maximum number of tourists, domestic and international.
Though Varanasi retains its heritage, the city is moving.New markets, commercial
complexes and modern hotels make it a melting pot of both. The religious capital
of Hinduism, Varanasi is the oldest living city in India, and one of the world's
most ancient. It was previously known as Kashi- the city that illuminates. The
present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of
the rivers Varuna and Asi. At a distance of 12 km from Varanasi is Sarnath where
Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after Enlightenment. Here is revealed
the eight-fold path to Nirvana.
ALLLAHABAD
Allahabad ,or prayagas it was once known ,has been a city of holy Pilgrimages
for devout Indians for thousands of years here ,on the banks of the river Ganga
at its confluence with the Yamuna ,a twelve yearly festival is staged ,the largest
bathing event in the world,with literally millions of people participating in
the cel;ebrations .Spread over a month ,the Kumbha Mela is Particularly picturesque
for the holy men and sadhus it attracts.
MATHURA
A land soaked in history and mythology, Mathura is the birthplace of the eighth
Avatar of Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna. Brajbhoomi, the land where Shri Krishna
was born and spent his youth, has little towns and villages, which still resonate
with his childhood pranks and youthful dalliance with the gopis (cowherd girls)
in the forests of Vrindavan. Mathura lies on the banks of the Yamuna River believed
to have been built at the sites of ancient temples and shrines. Along with neighboring
towns Govardhan, Nandgaon and Vrindavan, the area is a major pilgrimage site
for Hindus. The town of Govardhan
Mathura ,the birth place of LORD KRISHNA .Ptolemy, the Alexandrian astronomer
during the 2nd century, has referred to this city as Modoura. Modourain Latin
means the 'city of gods'. Although this city is associated mainly with the
legend and cult of the blue god/cowherd, Krishna, it was as sacred to the
Jains and Buddhists as it was to the Brahminical Hindusin the past.
Attacked By Muslim Invaders
Situated between the Muslim capitals of Delhi and Agra, Mathura bore the brunt
of various Muslim attacks. The Afghan invader, Mahmud of Gazhni sacked the city
in 1018-19. The city was plundered and important temples were destroyed by Aurangzeb.
In 1757, Ahmad Shah Durrani inflicted fresh wounds on Mathura. Today, not much
remains of the ancient Hindu structures. However, archaeologists have managed
to unearth some valuable sculptures from this site.
Buddhist Influence
When Fa-Hian travelled to India in A.D. 405, there were 20 Buddhist monasteries
with some 3000 monks in the neighbourhood of Mathura. A couple of centuries
later, when Huien Tsang came to India, the number of monks at the monastries
had dropped to 2000, with Buddhism bowing out to Hinduism.
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