Uttar 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. Their main occupation
of these inhabitants was agriculture. Till BC 2000 the Aryans had not
settled in this region. 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.
The Kushanas exercised their power over this region till
320AD. The territory passed into the hands of the Guptas during whose
rule, the Huns invaded this region. After the decline of the Guptas, the
Maukharis of Kannauj gained power. During the rule of Harshavardhana,
Kannauj was an important city. After his rule political chaso set it.
It was amidst this confusion that the Muslims invaded into Utter Pradesh
though the society was dominated by the Rajputs, jats and other local
chiefs. In 1016AD Mahmud of Ghazni laid his eyes on the wealth of Kannauj.
He was followed by Mohammad Ghori. Throughout the rule of the Delhi Sultanate
and the Mughals, the territory progressed. After the Mughals the Jats,
the Rohillas, and the Marathas established their rule. By 1803 the British
controlled this region and annexed it by 1856. It was in the Uttar Pradesh
(The period between 1857-58) that the first struggle for liberation from
the British yoke was unleashed. The revolt was suppressed and from then
till independence it remained under British dominance. In 1950 the state
was organised and named as Uttar Pradesh.