1. History of Uttar Pradesh (Ancient to Modern)

A. Pre-Historic & Ancient History

• Pre-Historic Period:
  • Paleolithic Sites: Belan Valley (Prayagraj), Singrauli Basin (Sonbhadra).
  • Mesolithic Period: Sarai Nahar Rai, Mahadaha, and Damdama (Pratapgarh) – Evidence of the first human settlement, burials, and microliths in the Gangetic plain.
  • Neolithic Period: Koldihwa and Mahagara (Evidence of early rice cultivation).
• Proto-History (Harappan & Vedic):
  • Indus Valley Civilization (IVC):
    • Alamgirpur (Meerut): Easternmost boundary of Harappan culture.
    • Hulas (Saharanpur) & Mandi (Muzaffarnagar): Late Harappan sites.
  • Sanauli (Baghpat): Trend Topic. Discovery of “Chariots,” Copper Swords, and Royal Burials suggesting a Bronze Age Warrior Class distinct from the Harappans (Ochre Coloured Pottery – OCP culture).
  • Vedic Era: Expansion of Aryans into “Madhyadesha” (Middle Country).
• Mahajanapada Period (600 BCE):
  • The 8 Mahajanapadas of UP: Kashi (Varanasi), Kosala (Ayodhya/Shravasti), Malla (Kushinagar/Pava), Chedi (Bundelkhand), Vatsa (Kaushambi), Kuru (Indraprastha/Meerut), Panchala (Ahichchhatra/Kampilya), Surasena (Mathura).
  • Rise of Heterodox Sects: Connection of Buddha (Sarnath, Shravasti, Kushinagar) and Mahavira with UP.
• Mauryan to Gupta Period:
  • Mauryan: Ashokan Pillars (Sarnath, Prayagraj, Meerut, Topra).
  • Post-Mauryan: Mathura School of Art (Kushan Period) – Use of spotted red sandstone.
  • Gupta Period (Golden Age):
    • Architecture: Bhitargaon Temple (Kanpur – Brick temple), Dashavatara Temple (Deogarh – Panchayatana style).
    • Administration: Bhukti (Province) and Vishaya (District) system in UP.

B. Medieval History of UP

• Kannauj Triangle: The Tripartite Struggle (Palas, Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas) for control over the Gangetic doab.
• Sultanate Period:
  • Sharqi Dynasty (Jaunpur): Known as “Shiraz-e-Hind.”
  • Architecture: Distinct style featuring massive propylon screens and absence of minarets (e.g., Atala Masjid, Jhanjhari Masjid).
• Mughal Era:
  • Architecture: Evolution from Red Sandstone (Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri) to White Marble (Taj Mahal, Itimad-ud-Daulah).
  • Culture: Development of Kathak and Hindustani Classical Music (Tansen).

2. Civilization & Culture of Uttar Pradesh

Trend: High weightage on Intangible Heritage, Festivals, and Temple Architecture.

A. Architecture & Art

• Temple Architecture:
  • Nagara Style: Ram Mandir (Ayodhya) – Analysis of its architectural features (Panchayatana, No iron usage).
  • Heritage Arc: Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi tourism circuit.
• Indo-Islamic Art: Imambaras of Lucknow (Asfi Imambara – Labyrinth/Bhulbhulaiya), Rumi Darwaza (Awadhi style).
• Painting:
  • Pre-historic: Rock paintings of Sonbhadra (Lakhuniya Dari).
  • Medieval: Mughal School (Jahangir’s period) vs. Mathura School.

B. Performing Arts (Music & Dance)

• Hindustani Classical Music:
  • Lucknow Gharana: Patronage of Wajid Ali Shah; Thumri, Khayal, and Tabla.
  • Banaras Gharana: Thumri (Girija Devi), Shehnai (Ustad Bismillah Khan), Tabla (Pt. Kishan Maharaj).
  • Kirana & Agra Gharanas: Dhrupad and Khayal traditions.
• Folk Songs: Kajri (Mirzapur/Monsoon), Rasiya (Braj/Holi), Alha (Bundelkhand/Valour), Birha (Purvanchal), Sohar (Childbirth).
• Dance Forms:
  • Classical: Kathak (Origin in UP temples/courts).
  • Folk: Charkula (Braj – 108 oil lamps on head), Karma (Sonbhadra/Tribal), Pai Danda (Bundelkhand), Dhobia (Purvanchal).

C. Literature & Languages

• Dialects: Braj (Surdas), Avadhi (Tulsidas, Malik Md. Jayasi), Bhojpuri, Bundeli, Khari Boli (Amir Khusro – Patiali).
• Hindi Literature: Bhartendu Harishchandra (Father of Modern Hindi – Varanasi), Munshi Premchand (Lamhi), Jaishankar Prasad, Mahadevi Verma.

D. Fairs & Festivals

• Kumbh/Mahakumbh: World’s largest congregation; UNESCO Intangible Heritage.
• Regional Festivals:
  • Deepotsav (Ayodhya): Cultural diplomacy and Guinness records.
  • Lathmar Holi (Barsana): Unique cultural tradition.
  • Dev Deepawali (Varanasi): Karthik Purnima celebrations.
  • Magh Mela: Annual fair in Prayagraj.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Mahakumbh 2025 (Prayagraj):
  • Theme: “Green Kumbh” (Zero Waste, Plastic-free).
  • Scale: Establishment of a temporary “Maha Kumbh Nagar” spread over 4,000 hectares.
  • AI Security: Deployment of AI-powered crowd management and facial recognition for safety.
• Intangible Heritage: Deepavali was officially nominated by India for the 2024-25 cycle of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with UP’s Deepotsav being a key highlight.
• New Museums: Inauguration of the Tharu Tribal Museum (Balrampur) and the upcoming Digital Kumbh Museum (Prayagraj).

3. Ancient Cities of Uttar Pradesh

Trend: Urban planning history mixed with modern Smart City and Heritage Tourism developments.

A. Kashi (Varanasi)

• Significance: Oldest living city; center of education (BHU) and spirituality.
• Modern Revival: Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (Economy booster), SCO Cultural Capital (2022-23) legacy.
• New Projects: India’s first Urban Ropeway Project (Cantt to Godowlia) to decongest the ancient city.

B. Ayodhya (Saket)

• Significance: Birthplace of Lord Ram; Capital of Kosala Mahajanapada.
• Development: Transformation into a “Solar City” (40MW solar plant, solar streetlights).
• Connectivity: Maharishi Valmiki International Airport and Ayodhya Dham Station.

C. Mathura-Vrindavan

• Significance: Birthplace of Krishna; centre  of Bhakti movement; Mathura School of Art.
• Administration: Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad for integrated tourism and heritage conservation.
• Current Issue: Banke Bihari Corridor project (Managing crowd vs. heritage preservation).

D. Prayagraj (Allahabad)

• Significance: Sangam City; Center of learning (Allahabad University – Oxford of the East).
• Focus: Mahakumbh 2025 preparedness – widening of roads, new bridges, and riverfront development.

E. Other Heritage Cities

• Kannauj: “City of Perfume” (Ittra); Capital of Harshavardhana. Upcoming International Perfume Park.
• Chitrakoot: Associated with Ramayana; development of Ranipur Tiger Reserve nearby promotes eco-tourism.
• Sarnath: Site of Buddha’s First Sermon (Dhammachakrapravartana); Dhamek Stupa.
• Kushinagar: Mahaparinirvana site; International Airport operationalized to link Buddhist Circuit.
• Sankisa (Farrukhabad): Buddhist pilgrimage site.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Heritage Hotels (PPP Mode): In 2024-25, the UP Tourism Department floated tenders to convert 11 historical forts/palaces into heritage hotels under PPP mode. Key sites include:
  • Chunar Fort (Mirzapur).
  • Barua Sagar Fort (Jhansi).
  • Chattar Manzil (Lucknow).
  • Barsana Guest House (Mathura).
• Temple Renovation Plan: UP Govt announced a dedicated plan (July 2025) to renovate ancient ashrams like Bhrigu Ashram (Ballia) and Durvasa Ashram (Azamgarh) to boost spiritual tourism in Eastern UP.