Ad
related to: History of UttarakhandChoose From a Wide Selection Of Informative and Comprehensive Books For You. Enhance Your Shopping Experience With Our Personalised Recommendations.
- Books Under ₹100
Browse all genres of books at
India's Largest Bookstore.
- Children's Books
Discover the best children's
books-at the best prices on the...
- Books Under ₹100
Search results
Learn about the ancient and modern history of Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state in North India. Explore its geography, culture, religion, politics, and statehood movement from Stone Age to present.
Uttarakhand's history dates back to prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence showcasing human habitation. It was part of the ancient Kuru and the Panchal kingdoms during the Vedic age, and later saw the rise of dynasties like the Kunindas and influence of Buddhism as evidenced by Ashokan edicts.
Oct 11, 2023 · Learn about the ancient, medieval, and modern history of Uttarakhand, a state in North India. Explore its legends, dynasties, religions, and struggles for statehood.
- Uttarakhand, located in the northern part of India, has a rich and ancient history. It was once a part of the Kuru Kingdom in ancient India and lat...
- The region of Uttarakhand was historically known as "Kedarkhand" and "Manaskhand" in ancient texts. However, it didn't have a single unified name u...
- The modern state of Uttarakhand was not "started" by a single individual; rather, it was created through a long process of political and administra...
- The Katyuri dynasty is considered one of the earliest ruling dynasties in the Uttarakhand region. They were prominent in the Kumaon region and play...
- Uttarakhand is famous for its stunning natural beauty, including the Himalayan mountain range, which houses several renowned peaks, such as Nanda D...
- Uttarakhand gained fame due to its natural beauty, religious significance, and being a hub for adventure tourism. Its breathtaking landscapes, reli...
- Uttarakhand is often referred to as the "Devbhumi," which translates to the "Land of the Gods." This nickname is due to the state's numerous temple...
- Uttarakhand has two capitals: Dehradun (the winter capital) and Gairsain (the summer capital). This dual capital system was established to address...
- Overview
- Relief
- Drainage
- Soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
Uttarakhand, state of India, located in the northwestern part of the country. It is bordered to the northwest by the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, to the northeast by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, to the southeast by Nepal, and to the south and southwest by the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Its capital is the northwestern city of Dehra Dun.
On November 9, 2000, the state of Uttaranchal—the 27th state of India—was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, and in January 2007 the new state changed its name to Uttarakhand, meaning “northern region,” which was the traditional name for the area. Area 19,739 square miles (51,125 square km). Pop. (2011) 10,116,752.
Uttarakhand has a highly varied topography, with snow-covered peaks, glaciers, deep canyons, roaring streams, beautiful lakes, and a few patches of dusty plains in the south. Some of the highest mountains in the world are found in Uttarakhand. Most notably, these include Nanda Devi (25,646 feet [7,817 metres]), which is the second highest peak in India, Kamet (25,446 feet [7,756 metres]), and Badrinath (23,420 feet [7,138 metres]).
Uttarakhand can be divided into several physiographic zones, all running parallel to each other from northwest to southeast. The northern zone, popularly known as the Himadri, contains segments of the Zaskar and the Great Himalaya ranges, with elevations ranging roughly from 10,000 to 25,000 feet (3,000 to 7,600 metres). Most of the major peaks are located in this zone. Adjacent to and south of the Great Himalayas is a zone containing the Lesser Himalayas, known popularly as the Himachal, with elevations between about 6,500 and 10,000 feet (2,000 to 3,000 metres); the zone has two linear ranges—the Mussoorie and the Nag Tibba. To the south of the Himachal is a stretch of the Siwalik Range. The entire area containing the Himadri, the Himachal, and the Siwaliks is broadly known as the Kumaun Himalayas. The southern edge of the Siwalik Range merges with a narrow bed of gravel and alluvium known as the Bhabar, which interfaces to the southeast with the marshy terrain known as the Tarai. The combined Siwalik-Bhabar-Tarai area ranges in elevation from 1,000 to 10,000 feet (300 to 3,000 metres). South of the Siwaliks are found flat-floored depressions, known locally as duns, such as the Dehra Dun.
Britannica Quiz
Explore India Quiz
The state is drained by various rivers of the Ganges (Ganga) system. The westernmost watershed is formed by the Yamuna River and its major tributary, the Tons. The land to the east of this basin is drained by the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda—which join to form the Ganges at the town of Devaprayag—and the Mandakini, Pindar, and Dhauliganga, all prin...
Uttarakhand has various types of soil, all of which are susceptible to soil erosion. In the north, the soil ranges from gravel (debris from glaciers) to stiff clay. Brown forest soil—often shallow, gravelly, and rich in organic content—is found farther to the south. The Bhabar area is characterized by soils that are coarse-textured, sandy to gravelly, highly porous, and largely infertile. In the extreme southeastern part of the state, the Tarai soils are mostly rich, clayey loams, mixed to varying degrees with fine sand and humus; they are well suited to the cultivation of rice and sugarcane.
Are you a student? Get Britannica Premium for only 24.95 - a 67% discount!
The climate of Uttarakhand is temperate, marked by seasonal variations in temperature but also affected by tropical monsoons. January is the coldest month, with daily high temperatures averaging below freezing in the north and near 70 °F (21 °C) in the southeast. In the north, July is the hottest month, with temperatures typically rising from the m...
Four major forest types are found in the Uttarakhand, including alpine meadows in the extreme north, temperate forests in the Great Himalayas, tropical deciduous forests in the Lesser Himalayas, and thorn forests in the Siwalik Range and in parts of the Tarai. According to official statistics, more than 60 percent of Uttarakhand is under forest cover; in actuality, however, the coverage is much less. The forests provide not only timber and fuel wood but also extensive grazing land for livestock. Only a small portion of the state’s total land area has permanent pastures.
Common tree species of the temperate forests include Himalayan cedar (Deodar cedar), Himalayan (blue) pine, oak, silver fir, spruce, chestnut, elm, poplar, birch, yew, cypress, and rhododendron. Tropical deciduous forests of sal, teak, and shisham—all hardwoods—occur in the submontane tract. Thorn forests of dhak (a type of flowering tree), babul (a type of acacia), and various bushes occur in the south.
May 24, 2016 · Learn about the rich history of Uttarakhand, the land of mountains and rivers, from the Vedic era to the modern times. Explore the cultural and religious heritage of Garhwal and Kumaon regions, and the evolution of Uttarakhand as a state.
Learn about the diverse and captivating history of Uttarakhand, the Land of the Gods, from ancient myths and legends to modern development. Explore its cultural heritage, spiritual significance, natural beauty, and political journey.
May 20, 2023 · Uttarakhand's history is a fascinating blend of ancient kingdoms, colonial rule, and modern statehood. The region's rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty continue to attract tourists from all over the world.
