Seminar on Education for All: Uttar Pradesh 6-9 November 1990 Background Material

Abstract

Uttar Pradesh is known for its rich culture and civilization from the ancient days. The antiquities unearthed in Bundelkhand, Mirzapur and Meerut reveal distinct impact of neolithic and Harappan culture. It has been the birth place of Ram and Krishna, the mythological Gods of Hindus. Lord Mahabir, the prophet of Jainism, and Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism started their preachings in this very state. Well-known sufi saints had enriched the religious tapestry of this state. The great poets Valmiki, Tulsi, Kabir and Soor sang their melodious lyrics in this land. The pious shrines of Badrinath and Kedamath in the Himalayan range, historical places like the cities of Agra, Varanasi, Allahabad, Ayodhya, Lucknow, Chitrakut, Mathura and the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saryu stand testimony to the rich cultural heritage of the country. In modem times too the State played a leading role in the fu^t Indian war of Independence in 1857 as well as during the struggle for freedom. It produced leaders like Moti Lai Nehru, C.Y. Chintamani, Tej Bahadur Sapru, Madan Mohan Malviya, Jawaharlal Nehru, Govind Ballabh Pant, Rafi Ahmad Kidwai and Lai Bahadur Shastri.