About Uttarakhand Map
Explore the Uttarakhand political map showing the 13 districts, district headquarters and capital of Uttarakhand state of India.
Districts of Uttarakhand
| S.N. | District Name | District Headquarter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almora | Almora |
| 2 | Bageshwar | Bageshwar |
| 3 | Chamoli | Gopeshwar |
| 4 | Champawat | Champawat |
| 5 | Dehradun | Dehradun |
| 6 | Haridwar | Haridwar |
| 7 | Nainital | Nainital |
| 8 | Pauri Garhwal | Pauri |
| 9 | Pithoragarh | Pithoragarh |
| 10 | Rudraprayag | Rudraprayag |
| 11 | Tehri Garhwal | Tehri |
| 12 | Udham Singh Nagar | Rudrapur |
| 13 | Uttarkashi | Uttarkashi |
About Uttarakhand
The northern Indian state of Uttarakhand exists within the Himalayan range as a sacred place featuring dramatic landscapes and holy rivers. The new state of Uttarakhand separated from Uttar Pradesh on November 9th 2000 and people call it "Devbhumi" or "Land of the Gods" because it contains numerous sacred pilgrimage sites. The state extends across 53,483 square kilometers (20,650 square miles) of land which borders China's Tibet region to the north and Nepal to the east while Himachal Pradesh lies to the west and Uttar Pradesh to the south.
Uttarakhand is split into two areas. Garhwal, to the west and Kumaon to the east. With landscapes ranging from snowy peaks in the north to lush forests in the south where renowned rivers like the Ganges and Yamuna begin their journey from glaciers like Gangotri and Yamunotri that hold great significance for people all, over India. The altitude changes greatly across the land, in Nepal. It ranges from the Terai area to mountains reaching heights of over 7.000 meters. A notable peak is Nanda Devi standing at 7.816 meters (25.643 feet) making it the second tallest mountain, in India.
The state has a variety of weather patterns depending on the altitude level it encompasses. At altitudes, in the area experience cold alpine conditions and significant snowfall in winter seasons while regions at elevations enjoy a tropical climate with high humidity. Forests encompass around 65 percent of the states territory resulting in a diversity of flora and fauna. Prominent protected areas include Jim Corbett National Park, the park, in India and Valley of Flowers National Park, a site recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage location.
Historical Overview
The history of Uttarakhand has connections, to mythology and religious customs that go way back in time. Ancient scriptures like the Vedas and the Puranas frequently mention this region. Legend has it that revered sages like Vyasa, the esteemed author of the Mahabharata and Adi Shankaracharya journeyed through these lands. Throughout centuries many towns and temples in the state such as Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri. Collectively known as the Char Dham. Have been pilgrimage sites, for devotees.Throughout history various dynasties such, as the Katyuri and Chand dynasties in Kumaon and the Panwar dynasty in Garhwal governed the region. During the era certain parts of present day Uttarakhand fell under control leading to the growth of popular hill stations like Nainital and Mussoorie. Following Indias independence in 1947 the area remained part of Uttar Pradesh until a movement for statehood arose due, to its cultural and geographic characteristics. Uttarakhand became Indias state in the year 2000 marking a milestone in its formation.
Economic Landscape
The economy of Uttarakhand is influenced by its geographical features. Agriculture and tourism are drivers of growth, along with hydropower production playing a significant role too. Even though the regions landscape is mostly mountainous and not conducive to farming operations the practice of terrace farming is common in the areas where crops like rice, wheat, barley and millets are cultivated; while sugarcane along with fruits such, as litchis, mangoes and guavas are grown in the plains.Tourism plays a role, in the states economy as it welcomes millions of visitors every year with a mix of tourism options like the Char Dham Yatra and adventure activities such as trekking and river raftings in destinations, like Rishikesh and Haridwar known for yoga and spirituality.
History of Uttarakhand
Ancient and Mythological Roots The historical development of Uttarakhand began in ancient times through a combination of mythological and spiritual elements and early human settlements. Ancient Hindu scriptures referred to this region as Kedarkhand and Manaskhand because it held sacred status as Dev Bhoomi. The Char Dham pilgrimage consists of four holy shrines located in Uttarakhand including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri. The Mahabharata and Ramayana epics contain multiple references to the Himalayan valleys where Vyasa and Valmiki spent their time composing and meditating. Archaeological findings at Lakhamandal and Kalapani reveal human settlement and trade activities which occurred during the Vedic period.
Medieval Period and Regional Kingdoms
The medieval period saw Uttarakhand split into various small principalities which were governed by local chieftains. The Katyuri dynasty became one of the most powerful ruling powers in the Kumaon region when they gained dominance during the 7th century. The rulers built their main city at Baijnath while creating important contributions to temple construction and local growth. The Katyuri dynasty collapse led to the rise of two dominant dynasties which established themselves in Kumaon as the Chand dynasty and in Garhwal as the Parmar (Panwar) dynasty. The Chand dynasty maintained control over Kumaon from 11th to 18th centuries with Almora functioning as their administrative and cultural hub. The Parmar rulers from Srinagar (Garhwal) controlled Garhwal while building their territories and constructing temples and fighting off invading forces.Invasions and British Rule
Major political changes occurred during the early 19th century when the Gorkhas from Nepal took control of both Garhwal and Kumaon territories in 1803. Their oppressive governance created widespread discontent among the population. The British East India Company stepped in to resolve the situation which resulted in the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816). The Treaty of Sugauli established British control over Kumaon and eastern Garhwal while the British returned the Tehri region to the Garhwal royal family as a princely state. British rule in Uttarakhand concentrated on forestry development alongside military recruitment through the Garhwal Rifles and infrastructure construction. The colonial period brought Nainital and Mussoorie to prominence as British officials chose these locations for their summer retreats.Role in India’s Freedom Movement
Uttarakhand maintained its geographical distance from the rest of India yet actively participated in the freedom struggle. The Quit India Movement and Non-Cooperation Movement and other nationalist activities took place throughout the region. The region produced Govind Ballabh Pant who became both a freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The Coolie-Begar movement of 1921 in Kumaon marked the beginning of peasant resistance against British exploitation and feudal practices.Demand for Statehood and Formation of Uttarakhand
After independence Uttarakhand existed as a part of the extensive state of Uttar Pradesh. The unique cultural heritage together with geographical difficulties and insufficient development and inadequate governmental support created a powerful movement for establishing a separate hill state. The movement intensified during the 1990s through massive protests and rallies and the fatal Rampur Tiraha firing incident in 1994 which resulted in multiple deaths. The Government of India passed the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act in 2000 to establish Uttaranchal as the 27th state of India on November 9, 2000. The state received its current name Uttarakhand in 2007 to better represent its historical and cultural heritage.Modern Uttarakhand
The state of Uttarakhand exists today as a spiritual center and natural wonderland which attracts tourists while developing its agricultural and hydroelectric sectors. The 2011 Census reports that the state contains about 10 million residents. The state capital Dehradun functions as the administrative center while Haridwar and Rishikesh and Almora maintain their status as vital religious and cultural centers. The state economy has experienced diversification during the past decades through growing investments in education and pharmaceuticals and horticulture and eco-tourism. The state of Uttarakhand faces ongoing challenges from hill area migration and environmental damage and natural disasters including the 2013 Kedarnath floods yet it remains a crucial northern Indian region with ancient historical value and modern importance.Geography of Uttarakhand
The northern Indian state of Uttarakhand exists in the Himalayan mountain range's southern region where it shares borders with Tibet (China) to the north and Nepal to the east and the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the west and Uttar Pradesh to the south. The state extends across 53,483 square kilometers which positions it as the nineteenth largest state in India. The state spans between 28°43′N and 31°27′N latitudes and 77°34′E to 81°02′E longitudes. The region earns its nickname "Land of the Gods" because it contains numerous sacred temples and pilgrimage sites while offering both spiritual value and diverse ecological and geographic features.
Physiographic Regions
The three geographical zones of Uttarakhand consist of the high Himalayan region and the middle Himalayan region (Lesser Himalayas) and the foothill region which includes Terai and Bhabar belts. The northernmost region features snow-capped peaks and glacier-fed valleys that extend into the Great Himalayan range. The zone contains two of India's highest peaks: Nanda Devi at 7,816 meters and Trisul, Kamet and Chaukhamba. The state's rivers begin their flow from glaciers which include the Gangotri and Yamunotri glaciers.The middle Himalayan zone contains deep valleys together with forested slopes and hill towns like Almora, Nainital and Pauri. The southern Terai region develops into fertile alluvial plains which support subtropical vegetation. The densely populated agricultural region stands in contrast to the rugged highlands which remain sparsely populated.
Rivers and Water Systems
The state of Uttarakhand functions as a vital watershed area because it provides the origins of two major Indian rivers which are the Ganges and the Yamuna. The Gangotri Glacier in Uttarkashi district marks the beginning of the Ganges River while the Yamunotri Glacier in western Uttarakhand serves as the source of the Yamuna River. The Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Tons, Kali and Ramganga rivers flow into the main watercourse after joining the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. The river systems create deep valleys while powering hydroelectric facilities and supporting agricultural activities and water consumption. The region contains numerous small lakes with Nainital, Bhimtal and Sattal standing out as the most important natural freshwater lakes.Climate and Weather Patterns
The diverse landscape of Uttarakhand creates different climate zones throughout the state. The northern high-altitude regions maintain an alpine climate which features harsh long winters together with brief summer seasons. The districts of Chamoli and Uttarkashi receive snowfall throughout November to March. The middle hill regions experience a temperate climate with pleasant summers and cold winters while the Terai and Bhabar regions in the south have a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, high monsoon rainfall, and mild winters. The state receives different amounts of annual rainfall which reaches 1,500 mm in the plains but exceeds 2,500 mm in certain hill regions during the monsoon period from June to September.Natural Resources and Biodiversity
The region of Uttarakhand is famous for its dense forests, alpine meadows and rich biodiversity. The state has 65% of its land area under forest cover which includes sal, pine, oak, deodar and rhododendron trees. The state is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, elephants, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, and snow leopards. It also boasts over 500 species of birds. The conservation areas include Jim Corbett National Park—the first national park in India—Valley of Flowers National Park, Rajaji National Park, and the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, which are vital for environmental conservation and ecotourism.The area contains abundant natural resources which include limestone, marble, magnesite and gypsum. The rivers offer significant hydroelectric power potential while multiple power generation and irrigation projects exist although these projects face environmental challenges and flood and landslide risks.