Uttarakhand: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}

| anthem                  = "[[Uttarakhand Devabhumi Matribhumi]]"<ref>{{cite web|title=Now Uttarakhand Will Sing Its Own Official Song|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/city/dehradun/Now-Ukhand-will-sing-its-official-song/articleshow/50882569.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=6 February 2016|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113150530/https://m.timesofindia.com/city/dehradun/Now-Ukhand-will-sing-its-official-song/articleshow/50882569.cms|archive-date=13 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><br />("Uttarakhand, Land of the Gods, O Motherland!")

| nickname                = "Devabhumi"<br />("Land of the Gods")

| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="MOSPI">{{cite web|url=http://mospi.nic.in/sites/default/files/press_releases_statements/State_wise_SDP_01_08_2019_for_uploading.xls|title=MOSPI Gross State Domestic Product|date=1 August 2019|website=[[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]], [[Government of India]]|access-date=16 September 2019}}</ref>

'''Uttarakhand''' ({{small|English:}} {{IPAc-en|'|ʊ|t|ə|r|ɑː|ˌ|k|ʌ|n|d}},<ref>{{lexico|Uttarakhand}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|ˌ|ʊ|t|ə|r|ə|ˈ|k|ʌ|n|d}}<ref>{{cite web | title= Define Uttarakhand at Dictionary.com | url= http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Uttarakhand | publisher= Dictionary.com | access-date= 27 August 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130922120648/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Uttarakhand | archive-date= 22 September 2013 | df= dmy-all }}</ref> or {{IPAc-en|ˌ|ʊ|t|ə|ˈ|r|æ|k|ə|n|d}};<ref>{{cite web|title = Definition of 'Uttarakhand'| publisher = Collins English Dictionary|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/uttarakhand|access-date=16 May 2021}}</ref> {{IPA-hi|'ʊt̪ːərɑːkʰəɳɖ|lang}}, lit. 'Northern Land'), formerly known as '''Uttaranchal''' ({{small|English:}} {{IPAc-en|'|ʊ|t|ə|ˈ|r|æ|n|tʃ|ʌ|l}}),<ref>{{cite web|title = Definition of 'Uttaranchal'| publisher = Collins English Dictionary|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/uttaranchal|access-date=16 May 2021}}</ref> is a state in [[North India|the northern part of India]]. It is often referred to as the "Devbhumi" (lit. "Land of the Gods")<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/dehradun/devbhumi-uttarakhand-the-original-land-of-yoga.html|title=Devbhumi Uttarakhand: The original land of yoga|last=Chopra|first=Jaskiran|work=The Daily Pioneer|date=21 June 2017|access-date=3 March 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303145846/http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/dehradun/devbhumi-uttarakhand-the-original-land-of-yoga.html|archive-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> due to its religious significance and numerous [[Hindu temple]]s and [[Hindu pilgrimage sites in India|pilgrimage centres]] found throughout the state. Uttarakhand is known for the natural environment of the [[Himalayas]], the [[Bhabar]] and the [[Terai]] regions. It borders the [[Tibet Autonomous Region]] of China to the north; the [[Sudurpashchim Province]] of [[Nepal]] to the east; the Indian states of [[Uttar Pradesh]] to the south and [[Himachal Pradesh]] to the west and north-west. The state is divided into two divisions, [[Garhwal division|Garhwal]] and [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]], with a total of [[List of districts of Uttarakhand|13 districts]]. The winter capital of Uttarakhand is [[Dehradun]], the largest city of the state, which is a rail head. [[Bhararisain]], a town in [[Chamoli district]], is the summer capital of Uttarakhand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bhararisain declared as summer capital of Uttarakhand|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bhararisain-declared-as-summer-capital-of-uttarakhand/603160|access-date=24 November 2021|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=भराड़ीसैंण अब उत्तराखंड की ग्रीष्मकालीन राजधानी|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/dehradun-city-bharadisain-20367162.html|access-date=24 November 2021|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bhararisain (Garisain) district Chamoli has been declared as the summer capital of Uttarakhand: Government of Uttarakhand|url=https://twitter.com/timesofindia/status/1269901518427348998|access-date=24 November 2021|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> The [[Uttarakhand High Court|High Court]] of the state is located in [[Nainital]].

Archaeological evidence supports the existence of humans in the region since [[prehistoric times]]. The region formed a part of the [[Uttarakuru]] Kingdom during the [[Vedic period|Vedic age]] of [[Ancient India]]. Among the first major dynasties of Kumaon were the [[Kuninda]]s in the second century BCE who practised an early form of [[Shaivism]]. [[Ashokan edicts]] at Kalsi show the early presence of [[Buddhism]] in this region. During the medieval period, the region was consolidated under the [[Katyuri kings|Katyuri rulers]] of Kumaon also known as 'Kurmanchal Kingdom'.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pāṇḍe |first=Badarīdatta|title=History of Kumaun : English version of "Kumaun ka itihas"|date=1993|publisher=Shree Almora Book Depot|isbn=81-900209-5-1|oclc=645861049}}</ref> After the fall of Katyuris, the region was divided into the [[Kumaon Kingdom]] and the [[Garhwal Kingdom]]. In 1816, most of modern Uttarakhand was ceded to the [[British Raj|British]] as part of the [[Treaty of Sugauli]]. Although the erstwhile hill kingdoms of Garhwal and Kumaon were traditional rivals, the proximity of different neighbouring ethnic groups and the inseparable and complementary nature of their geography, economy, culture, language, and traditions created strong bonds between the two regions, which further strengthened during the [[Uttarakhand movement]] for statehood in the 1990s.

The natives of the state are generally called Uttarakhandi, or more specifically either Garhwali or Kumaoni by their region of origin. According to the [[2011 Census of India]], Uttarakhand has a population of 10,086,292, making it the 21th [[List of states and union territories of India by population|most populous state]] in India.<ref name="Census2011">{{cite web |title=Uttarakhand Profile |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/stock/profiles/en/IND005_Uttarakhand.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=18 March 2020}}</ref> As per Aadhar Statistics the Uttarakhand population in 2020/2021 is 11,090,425.

However, the region was given the name ''Uttaranchal'' by the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] led [[Government of India|union government]] and [[Government of Uttarakhand|Uttarakhand state government]] when they started a new round of state reorganisation in 1998. Chosen for its allegedly less separatist connotations, the name change generated enormous controversy among many activists for a separate state who saw it as a political act.<ref>Negi, B. (2001). "Round One to the Lobbyists, Politicians and Bureaucrats." ''The Indian Express'', 2 January.</ref> The name Uttarakhand remained popular in the region, even while Uttaranchal was promulgated through official usage.

The [[Pauravas]], [[Khasas]], [[Kirata]]s, [[Nanda Empire|Nandas]], [[Maurya Empire|Mauryas]], [[Kushan Empire|Kushanas]], [[Kuninda Kingdom|Kunindas]], [[Gupta Empire|Guptas]], [[Karkota Empire|Karkotas]], [[Pala Empire|Palas]], [[Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty|Gurjara-Pratiharas]], [[Katyuri kings|Katyuris]], [[Doti|Raikas]], [[Chand kings|Chands]], [[Parmar]]s or Panwars, [[Khas Kingdom|Mallas]], [[Shah dynasty|Shahs]] and the [[British Raj|British]] have ruled Uttarakhand in turns.<ref name="autogenerated2001" />

By the medieval period, the region was consolidated under the [[Garhwal Kingdom]] in the west and the [[Kumaon Kingdom]] in the east. During this period, learning and new forms of painting (the [[Pahari painting|Pahari]] school of art) developed.<ref>Pande, B. D. (1993). History of Kumaun: English version of "Kumaun Ka Itihas". Almora, U.P., India: Shyam Prakashan: Shree Almora Book Depot.</ref> Modern-day Garhwal was likewise unified under the rule of Parmars who, along with many [[Brahmins]] and [[Rajputs]], also arrived from the plains.<ref>Rawat, A. S. (1989). History of Garhwal, 1358–1947: an erstwhile kingdom in the Himalayas. New Delhi: Indus Pub. Co.</ref> In 1791, the expanding [[Gorkha Kingdom|Gorkha Empire]] of [[Nepal]] overran [[Almora]], the seat of the Kumaon Kingdom. It was annexed to the [[Kingdom of Nepal]] by [[Amar Singh Thapa]]. In 1803, the Garhwal Kingdom also fell to the Gurkhas. After the [[Anglo-Nepalese War]], this region was ceded to the [[Company rule in India|British]] as part of the [[Treaty of Sugauli]] and the erstwhile Kumaon Kingdom along with the [[Garhwal District|eastern region of Garhwal Kingdom]] was merged with the [[Ceded and Conquered Provinces]]. In 1816, the Garhwal Kingdom was re-established from a smaller region in [[Tehri Garhwal district|Tehri]] as a [[princely state]]. In the southern part of Uttarakhand in Haridwar District (earlier part of saharanpur till 1988), the dominance and kingship (rajya) was exercises by Gujar chiefs, the area was under control of Parmar (Panwar or Khubars) Gujars in eastern Saharanpur including Haridwar in kingship of Raja Sabha Chandra of [[Jhabrera (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Jabarhera]] (Jhabrera). Gujars of the Khubar (Panwar) gotra held more than 500 villages there in upper Doab, and that situation was confirmed in 1759 in a grant by a Rohilla governor of 505 villages and 31 hamlets to one Manohar Singh Gujar (written in some records as Raja Nahar Singh son of Sabha Chandra). In 1792 Ram Dayal and his son Sawai Singh were ruling the area but due to some family reasons Ramdayal left Jhabrera and went to Landhaura village, now some villages were under control of Raja Ramdayal singh at Landhaura  and some under his son Sawai Singh at Jhabrera. Hence, there were two branches of Jabarhera estate (riyasat) main branch at Jabarhera and second one at Landhaura, both father and son were ruling simultaneously without any conflicts till death of Raja Sawai Singh of Jabarhera in 1803. After death of Sawai Singh total control of powers  transferred to Ram Dayal Singh at Landhaura, but some villages were given to descendants of Sawai Singh and her widow to collect revenue. By 1803 the Landhaura villages numbered 794 under Raja Ram Dayal Singh. Raja Ram Dayal Singh died on 29 March 1813.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Atkinson|first=Edwin Thomas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w2xZmwEACAAJ&q=Landhaura%7Ctitle%3DStatistical|title=Statistical, Descriptive and Historical Account of the North-Western Provinces of India: 2.:Meerut division part 1|date=1875|publisher=North-Western Provinces Government|language=en}}</ref> These holdings, at least those in the original grant made by the Rohilla governor, were initially recognized by the British in land settlements concluded with Ram Dayal and his heirs. As the years passed, more and more settlements appear to have been made with the village communities, however, and by 1850 little remained of the once vast estate of the [https://books.google.co.in/books?id=w2xZmwEACAAJ&pg=PA258&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q=Landhaura&f=false Landhaura Khübars] (Atkinson 1875: 199 206).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Raheja|first=Gloria Goodwin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V6oYqw1BWAQC&pg=PA1%7Ctitle%3DThe|title=The Poison in the Gift: Ritual, Prestation, and the Dominant Caste in a North Indian Village|date=June 1988|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-70728-0|language=en}}</ref>

Uttarakhand has a total area of {{cvt|53,4933|km2}},<ref name="Uttarakhand" /> of which 86% is mountainous and 65% is covered by forest.<ref name=Uttarakhand /> Most of the northern part of the state is covered by high [[Himalaya]]n peaks and glaciers. In the first half of the nineteenth century, the expanding development of Indian roads, railways and other physical infrastructure was giving rise to concerns over indiscriminate logging, particularly in the [[Himalaya]]. Two of the most important rivers in Hinduism originate in the glaciers of Uttarakhand, the [[Ganges]] at [[Gangotri]] and the [[Yamuna]] at [[Yamunotri]]. They are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts and streams.<ref>Negi, S. S. (1991). Himalayan rivers, lakes, and glaciers. New Delhi: Indus Pub. Co.</ref> These two along with [[Badrinath]] and [[Kedarnath]] form the [[Chota Char Dham]], a holy pilgrimage for the Hindus.

Uttarakhand has a multiethnic population spread across two geocultural regions: the Garhwal, and the Kumaon. A large portion of the population is [[Kshatriya]] (various clans of erstwhile landowning rulers and their descendants), including members of the native [[Garhwali people|Garhwali]], and [[Kumaoni people|Kumaoni]] as well as a number of migrants. According to a 2007 study by [[Centre for the Study of Developing Societies]], Uttarakhand has the highest percentage of [[Brahmin]]s of any state in India, with approximately 25-28% of the population being Brahmin.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brahmins in India|url=http://outlookindia.com/article/Brahmins-In-India/234783|work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]|date=4 June 2007|access-date=17 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531222946/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Brahmins-In-India/234783|archive-date=31 May 2014}}</ref> 18.3% of the population is classified as [[Other Backward Class|Other Backward Classes]] (OBCs).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Handbook of Social Welfare Statistics|year=2018|location=https://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/HANDBOOKSocialWelfareStatistice2018.pdf|pages=238}}</ref> 18.76% of the population belongs to the [[Scheduled Castes]] (an official term for the lower castes in the traditional [[caste system in India]]).<ref name="Demography" /> [[Scheduled Tribes]] such as the [[Jaunsari people|Jaunsari]], [[Bhotiyas of Uttarakhand|Bhotiya]], [[Tharu people|Tharu]], [[Bhoksa people|Buksa]], [[Raji people|Raji]], [[Jad people|Jad]] and [[Ban Rawats|Banrawat]] constitute 2.89% of the population.<ref name="Demography" />

More than four-fifths of Uttarakhand's residents are [[Hindus]].<ref name="Britannica" /> [[Muslims]], [[Sikhs]], [[Christians]], [[Buddhist]]s, and [[Jain]]s make up the remaining population, with the Muslims being the largest minority.<ref name="Britannica" /><ref name="Demography" /> [[Haridwar district|Haridwar]] has highest Muslim population according to percentage in uttarakhand.<ref name="census" />

The dances of the region are connected to life and human existence and exhibit myriad human emotions. Langvir Nritya is a dance form for males that resembles gymnastic movements. Barada Nati folk dance is another dance of [[Jaunsar-Bawar]], which is practised during some religious festivals. Other well-known dances include Hurka Baul, Jhora-Chanchri, Chhapeli, Thadya, Jhumaila, [[Pandav Lila|Pandav]], Chauphula, and [[Chholiya]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=उत्तराखंड में छोलिया है सबसे पुराना लोकनृत्य, जानिए इसकी खास बातें|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/dehradun-city-choliya-is-the-oldest-folk-dance-of-uttarakhand-19707465.html|access-date=21 July 2020|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Folk Dances Of North India|url=http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-dance/folk-dances/north-india.html|publisher=culturalindia.net|access-date=29 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718052314/http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-dance/folk-dances/north-india.html|archive-date=18 July 2012}}</ref> Music is an integral part of the Uttarakhandi culture. Popular types of folk songs include Mangal, Basanti, Khuder and Chhopati.<ref>{{cite web|title=Folk Songs of Uttarakhand|url=http://www.aboututtarakhand.com/Know-Abouts/Folk-Song/Folk-Songs.html|publisher=aboututtarakhand.com|access-date=29 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717183928/http://www.aboututtarakhand.com/Know-Abouts/Folk-Song/Folk-Songs.html|archive-date=17 July 2012}}</ref> These folk songs are played on instruments including [[Dhol]], [[Damau]], Turri, [[Ransingha]], [[Dholak|Dholki]], Daur, [[Thali (percussion)|Thali]], [[Bhankora]], Mandan and [[Bagpipe|Mashakbaja]]. "[[Bedu Pako Baro Masa]]" is a popular folk song of Uttarakhand with international fame and legendary status within the state. It serves as the cultural anthem of Uttarakhandi people worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bedu Pako|url=http://www.bedupako.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215050139/http://bedupako.com/|archive-date=15 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.euttarakhand.com/bedu-pako-song|title=Bedu Pako Song – From Uttarakhand to Globe|date=16 November 2016|work=Uttarakhand Stories – Connect to Uttarakhand with eUttarakhand and Share Stories|access-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909222126/https://www.euttarakhand.com/bedu-pako-song|archive-date=9 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Music is also used as a medium through which the gods are invoked. ''[[Jagar (ritual)|Jagar]]'' is a form of spirit worship in which the singer, or ''Jagariya'', sings a ballad of the gods, with allusions to great epics, like [[Mahabharat]] and [[Ramayana]], that describe the adventures and exploits of the god being invoked. [[B. K. Samant]], [[Basanti Bisht]], [[Chander Singh Rahi]], [[Girish Tiwari|Girish Tiwari 'Girda']], Gopal Babu Goswami, Heera Singh Rana, [[Jeet Singh Negi]], [[Meena Rana]], [[Mohan Upreti]], [[Narendra Singh Negi]], Anuradha Nirala and [[Pritam Bhartwan]] are popular [[Indian folk music|folk singers]] and musicians from the state, so are [[Music of Bollywood|Bollywood]] singer [[Jubin Nautiyal]] and [[country music|country]] singer [[Bobby Cash (singer)|Bobby Cash]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Dylan of hills singes CM|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070130/asp/nation/story_7324156.asp |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=30 January 2007 |access-date=29 July 2012 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021153616/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070130/asp/nation/story_7324156.asp|archive-date=21 October 2012}}</ref>

[[Leopards]] are found in areas that are abundant in hills but may also venture into the lowland jungles. Smaller felines include the [[jungle cat]], [[fishing cat]], and [[leopard cat]]. Other mammals include four kinds of deer ([[Muntjac|barking]], [[sambar deer|sambar]], [[hog deer|hog]] and [[chital]]), [[Sloth bear|sloth]], [[Brown bear|Brown]] and [[Asian black bear|Himalayan black bears]], [[Indian grey mongoose]]s, [[otter]]s, [[Martes flavigula|yellow-throated martens]], [[bharal]], [[Indian pangolin]]s, and [[langur]] and [[rhesus macaque|rhesus]] monkeys. In the summer, [[Asian elephant|elephants]] can be seen in [[herd]]s of several hundred. [[Marsh crocodile]]s (''Crocodylus palustris''), [[gharial]]s (''Gavialis gangeticus'') and other reptiles are also found in the region. Local crocodiles were saved from extinction by captive breeding programs and subsequently re-released into the [[Ramganga]] river.<ref>Riley, Laura; William Riley (2005):208. Nature's Strongholds: The World's Great Wildlife Reserves. Princeton University Press. {{ISBN|0-691-12219-9}}.</ref> Several freshwater terrapins and turtles like the [[Indian sawback turtle]] (''Kachuga tecta''), [[brahminy river turtle]] (''Hardella thurjii''), and [[Ganges softshell turtle]] (''Trionyx gangeticus'') are found in the rivers. Butterflies and birds of the region include [[Papilio helenus|red helen]] (''Papilio helenus''), the [[Hypolimnas bolina|great eggfly]] (''Hypolimnos bolina''), [[Danaus genutia|common tiger]] (''Danaus genutia''), [[Pareronia avatar|pale wanderer]] (''Pareronia avatar avatar''), [[jungle babbler]], [[tawny-bellied babbler]], [[great slaty woodpecker]], [[red-breasted parakeet]], [[orange-breasted green pigeon]] and [[chestnut-winged cuckoo]].<ref name="Sharma1998">{{cite book|author=K. P. Sharma|title=Garhwal & Kumaon: A Guide for Trekkers and Tourists|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jSelsX-adscC&pg=PA56 |year=1998 |publisher=Cicerone Press Limited |isbn=978-1-85284-264-2 |pages=56– |access-date=9 July 2012 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603060215/http://books.google.com/books?id=jSelsX-adscC&pg=PA56|archive-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> In 2011, a rare migratory bird, the [[bean goose]], was also seen in the [[Jim Corbett National Park]]. A critically endangered bird, last seen in 1876 is the Himalayan quail endemic to the western Himalayas of the state.<ref name=corbett>{{cite web|title=A Rare Visit of Ben Goose at Corbett|url=http://www.corbett-national-park.com/blog/a-rare-visit-of-ben-goose-at-corbett.html|publisher=corbett-national-park.com|access-date=15 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415132138/http://www.corbett-national-park.com/blog/a-rare-visit-of-ben-goose-at-corbett.html|archive-date=15 April 2015|date=11 May 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Dehradun Airport Terminal.jpg|thumbnail|right|[[Jolly Grant Airport]], Dehradun]]