Know The History & Legends Behind The Indian States (Part- I)

By- Khushi Bisht

India is divided into twenty-eight states and eight union territories, each of which has a lively history, culture, and heritage dating back to the dawn of human civilization. India's rich history and culture are unrivaled, and the nation's unity in diversity continues to inspire the rest of the globe. We'll talk about the history and legends behind some of India's northern states in this article.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

From the outset, Hindu monarchs reigned in Kashmir. In the third century BC, Emperor Ashoka conquered Kashmir and ruled over the valley. However, a succession of conquerors defeated Ashoka, and the region subsequently became the province of the Mughals. The valley was first captured by Afghanistan's Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1757, but Maharaja Ranjit Singh eventually reclaimed it. However, just after Maharaja's demise, the British defeated the Sikhs in a battle and reclaimed the valley, but eventually decided to sell it to Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu for 75 lakh rupees. In this manner, Jammu & Kashmir merged into one state.

ALSO READ: Know The History & Legends Behind The Indian States (Part- II)

Manthar Meadow Bandipora, Jammu & Kashmir.
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However, there is one more well-known mythology that surrounds Kashmir's valley.

It is said that Kashmir was once a huge expanse of landmass. It was home to a demon named Jalobhava. He went out now and then and wreaked havoc on the fields all around the lakeside. According to his boon, nobody could hurt him unless he remained in the lake.

Sage Kashyapa, a Hindu guru who understood the demon's hidden truth, was resolved to exorcise him from the world. He hit the lake with a powerful plow with the assistance of Divine beings. As a consequence, the lake's water was emptied, and the demon's abilities were taken away, and he disappeared. Then a magnificent region appeared, known as Kashyapmir, which translates as "lake of the sage Kashyapa." And it was from this name that the name Kashmir was born.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Himachal was given its name by Acharya (Teacher) Diwakar Datt Sharma, a famous Sanskrit academic. In Sanskrit, Hima signifies "snow," and the word 'Himanchal' properly means "in the lap of the Himalayas." Himachal Pradesh can be traced all the way back to the 4,000-year-old Indus Valley Civilization.

In Sanskrit, Hima signifies "snow," and the word 'Himanchal' properly means "in the lap of the Himalayas."
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Himachal Pradesh was established as a Union Territory in 1948, following the merger of 30 princely states spanning thousands of square kilometers. Until 1966, this status remained unaltered. The hilly portions of Punjab were combined with the state after the reformation. Himachal Pradesh is now seen as a great example for not only mountainous development but also educational, medical, and public welfare growth.

PUNJAB

"Land of seven rivers" was the old Vedic name for Punjab. This state is said to be one of India's first Aryan settlements.

Chandragupta Maurya, the first emperor of ancient India, deposed the province's Greek crown prince and took control of the state. Punjab was invaded repeatedly by several other nations after the Mauryan empire fell apart. In the tenth century, Mahmud of Ghazni was the very first Muslim conqueror to enter the state. Following then, a series of Muslim conquests occur until Babar set up a Mughal authority in the state.

The Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab. With Guru Nanak, the first of the ten Sikh Gurus and father of Sikhism, Punjab began a new era in history.
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However, with Guru Nanak, the first of the ten Sikh Gurus and father of Sikhism, Punjab began a new era in history. Maharaja Ranjit Singh reigned from 1780 until 1839 when the state reached its pinnacle. Years after his death, though, the region was seized by the British.

HARYANA

Haryana has a long and illustrious history dating back to the Vedic period. The state was the birthplace of the mythical Bharata dynasty, which gave India its name of "Bharat." Haryana is mentioned in the Mahabharata, India's ancient epic. The state is home to Kurukshetra, the legendary battleground between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.

The Battle of Kurukshetra.Wikimedia Commons

Until the arrival of the Muslim invaders, as well as the ascension of Delhi to the status of India's royal city, the state continued to play an important role in Indian history. Haryana was therefore treated as an afterthought to Delhi and stayed almost unnoticed until the First War of Indian Independence in 1857. The Nawabs and Rajas of different provinces in Haryana were dispossessed of their domains after the uprising was suppressed and the British authority was restored.

Haryana was therefore annexed to the Punjab region. It became a full-fledged state in 1966 after Punjab was reorganized.

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UTTAR PRADESH

Uttar Pradesh's past is both old and fascinating. It was known as "Brahmarshi Desha" or "Madhya Desha" during the late Vedic era. In this state, many renowned sages from the Vedic era thrived. Several Aryan holy texts were also written here. Uttar Pradesh appears to have influenced two of India's major epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It was during the medieval period that a new fusion of Hindu and Islamic civilizations was born.
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Uttar Pradesh was ruled by Muslims throughout the medieval period, and it was here that a new fusion of Hindu and Islamic civilizations was born. Many more philosophers, such as Kabir, Tulsidas, and Surdas, led to the advancement of Hindi as well as other language groups.

Even when under British rule, Uttar Pradesh maintained its intellectual brilliance and rich heritage. The British merged Agra and the Kingdom of Oudh to become the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. In 1935, the United Provinces became the official name. The state was given the title "Uttar Pradesh," in January 1950.