North India

The terms 'North Zone,' 'North Region,' or 'Northern Cultural Zone' are used by various ministries of the Government of India to refer to the northernmost administrative division of the country, whether one of four or six. These terms are distinct from 'North India,' which refers to a much larger geo-cultural region. Government of India definitions The Northern Zonal Council is one of the advisory councils, created in 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act to foster interstate co-operation under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which included the states of Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab and Rajasthan. The Geological Survey of India (part of the Ministry of Mines) in its Northern Region, included Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, but excluded Rajasthan and Chandigarh, with a regional headquarters in Lucknow. Colloquial definitions of Northern Region/Zone Indian press definition The Hindu newspaper puts Bihar, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh related articles on its North pages. Articles in the Indian press have included the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal in North as well. Latitude-based definition The Tropic of Cancer, which divides the temperate zone from the tropical zone in the Northern Hemisphere, runs through India, and could theoretically be regarded as a geographical dividing line in the country. Indian states that are entirely above the Tropic of Cancer are Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and most of North East Indian states. However that definition would also include major parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal and minor regions of Chhattisgarh and Gujarat. Anecdotal usage In Maharashtra, the term "North Indian" is sometimes used to describe migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, often using the term bhaiya (which literally means 'elder brother') along with it in a derogatory sense. However within Uttar Pradesh (literally meaning "North Province" in Hindi) itself, "the cultural divide between the east and the west is considerable, with the purabiyas (easterners) often being clubbed with Biharis in the perception of the westerners." The Government of Bihar official site places the state in the eastern part of India. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are often considered as being a part of north India, however, within most modern definitions of North India, Bihar is not included. ==History==

Ancient era By 55,000 years ago, the first modern humans, or Homo sapiens, had arrived on the Indian subcontinent from Africa, where they had earlier evolved. The earliest known modern human remains in South Asia date to about 30,000 years ago. Jammu and Kashmir, which acceded to India amid conflict, became a central point of territorial disputes involving India, Pakistan, and China. In the decades after independence, North India underwent major administrative changes. The princely states of the Rajputana Agency were merged to form Rajasthan in 1949. In 1966, Punjab was reorganised along linguistic lines, creating Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the present-day Punjab. Punjab also experienced a separatist insurgency in the 1980s. The Union Territory of Delhi was renamed the National Capital Territory of Delhi in 1991, gaining a legislative assembly with limited powers. The Uttarakhand movement, which gained traction in 1994, culminated with Uttarakhand being carved out of Uttar Pradesh as a separate hill state in 2000. In 2019, the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India changed Jammu and Kashmir's status, dividing it into two union territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. ==Geography==

located in North Indian state of Rajasthan Towards its north are the Himalayas which define the boundary between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau. To its west is the Thar Desert, shared between North India and Pakistan and the Aravalli Range, beyond which lies the state of Gujarat. The Vindhya mountains are, in some interpretations, taken to be the southern boundary of North India. The predominant geographical features of North India are: • the Indo-Gangetic plain, which spans the states and union territories of Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and non-north indian states of Bihar, and West Bengal. • the Himalayas and sub-Himalayan belt, which lie in the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal; • the Thar Desert, which lies mainly in the state of Rajasthan. The states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir also have a large forest coverage. General climate map is based on native vegetation, temperature, precipitation and their seasonality. Major categories: North India lies mainly in the north temperate zone of the Earth. Though cool or cold winters, hot summers, and moderate monsoons are the general patterns, North India is one of the most climatically diverse regions on Earth. During summer, temperatures often rise above 35 °C across much of the Indo-Gangetic plain, reaching as high as 50 °C in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, and up to 49 °C in Delhi. During winter, the lowest temperatures on the plains dip below 5 °C and drop below freezing in some states. Heavy to moderate snowfall occurs in Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand. Much of North India is also notorious for heavy fog during the winters. Extreme temperatures among inhabited regions have ranged from in Dras, Ladakh to 50.6 °C (123 °F) in Alwar, Rajasthan. Dras is claimed to be the second-coldest inhabited place on the planet (after Siberia), with a recorded low of −60 °C. {{climate chart|New Delhi {{Climate chart|Amritsar Precipitation The region receives heavy rain in plains and light snow on Himalayas precipitation through two primary weather patterns: the Southwest Monsoon and the Western Disturbances. The Monsoon carries moisture northwards from the Indian Ocean, occurs in late summer and is important to the Kharif or autumn harvest. Western Disturbances, on the other hand, are an extratropical weather phenomenon that carry moisture eastwards from the Mediterranean Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. They primarily occur during the winter season and are critically important for the Rabi or spring harvest, which includes the main staple over much of North India, wheat. In the mountainous areas, sometimes the winter is further divided into "big winter" (e.g. Kashmiri chillai kalaan) and "little winter" (chillai khurd). ==Politics==

Politics in North India is marked by a blend of regional and national political parties, with a strong presence of the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alongside significant regional players. The region played a crucial role in the Indian freedom movement, and post-independence, political dynamics were initially dominated by the INC. The Congress established a firm grip over states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra and southern states, with prominent leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Shri Krishna Sinha, K. Kamaraj and Zail Singh leading national politics. The post-independence period also saw the emergence of regional political movements. In Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal became a major force representing Sikh political interests. However, the political landscape of North India took a significant turn in the 1990s with the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which came to prominence following the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the subsequent demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. The BJP's rise was further fueled by its strong stance on Hindu nationalism and its appeal to the urban and rural electorate in the Hindi heartland. Subsequently, in Uttar Pradesh, parties such as the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party gained prominence by mobilizing support among Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Dalits, and other marginalized groups. Caste and religious identities have remained significant factors influencing electoral politics across the region. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, has long been a battleground for the INC, BJP, SP, and BSP. The BSP, under the leadership of Mayawati, has emerged as a dominant force in representing Dalit and backward communities, while the SP, led by the Yadav family, continues to assert its influence over the OBC vote base. The Congress, once the dominant force in the state, has lost its foothold in recent decades, but it continues to hold sway in pockets, particularly in urban centers. Bihar has witnessed a similar political evolution, where regional parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, have played a major role in shaping the state’s political narrative, alongside Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)). In Punjab, the political scene has been dominated by the SAD, which has a strong following among the Sikh community, and the INC, which has had a fluctuating relationship with the state due to the legacy of the Punjab insurgency in the 1980s. The state witnessed significant political change after the 2017 elections, with the emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a major contender, offering an alternative to traditional parties. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have also experienced alternating political control between the INC and BJP, with regional leaders like Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan and Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh asserting strong regional leadership. In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, has rapidly risen to prominence, challenging the traditional dominance of the Congress and BJP. The northern hill and border states and union territories—Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh have distinct political dynamics shaped by geography, security concerns, and regional aspirations. Politics in Jammu and Kashmir has historically revolved around issues of autonomy, governance, and relations with the Union government, with parties like the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party playing key roles. The reorganization of the state following the Revocation of Article 370 marked a major shift, bringing it and Ladakh under direct union territory administration. In Ladakh, politics is more localized, focusing on development, tribal rights, and representation, with organizations like the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. In Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, politics is largely dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress, with power frequently alternating between the two. Key issues in these Himalayan states include infrastructure development, tourism, environmental conservation, and disaster management due to their fragile ecology. Meanwhile, Haryana has a politically competitive landscape influenced by agrarian issues, caste dynamics, and proximity to the national capital New Delhi. Regional parties such as the Indian National Lok Dal and newer formations like the Jannayak Janta Party have played significant roles alongside national parties. North India—particularly Uttar Pradesh—has produced the highest number of Prime Ministers of India, either by birthplace or political base, including leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Vishwanath Pratap Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The region has produced several prominent national leaders, including Govind Ballabh Pant, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Kanshi Ram. North India has also contributed to the country's presidency, with notable figures like Rajendra Prasad, Zakir Husain, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, Giani Zail Singh and Ram Nath Kovind all hailing from this region. Administration North India consists of several northern states including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, along with the union territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. These states and union territories have varying administrative structures: the states and Delhi have elected legislatures, while Jammu and Kashmir (with provisions for a legislature) and Ladakh are administered under the framework of the Union government. A governor, appointed by the Government of India through the President of India, serves as the de jure head of each state, while the leader of the majority party or coalition in the legislative assembly is appointed as the Chief Minister, the de facto head of the government. In union territories like Delhi, a Lieutenant Governor represents the central government, alongside an elected Chief Minister, whereas Ladakh is directly governed by a Lieutenant Governor without a legislature. Administratively, the states and union territories of North India are divided into districts, each headed by a District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner responsible for law and order, revenue collection, and general administration. These districts are further subdivided into tehsils or taluks, overseen by tehsildars, and into blocks for developmental administration. At the grassroots level, local governance is carried out through urban bodies such as municipal corporations, municipalities, and cantonment boards, and rural bodies including zila parishads, panchayat samitis, and village panchayats, forming a multi-tiered system of governance across the region. States and UTs Legislative representation North India elects 150 members to the Lok Sabha, accounting for roughly one-fourth of the total strength of 543. The region is allocated 66 seats in the Rajya Sabha, out of the total 245 members. The state legislatures of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi are unicameral, while Uttar Pradesh has a bicameral legislature. In states with a bicameral legislature, the upper house (Legislative Council) has members not more than one-third the size of the Assembly. State legislatures elect members for terms of five years. Governors may suspend or dissolve assemblies and can administer the state when no party is able to form a government. ==Demographics==

The people of North India mostly belong to the Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic branch, and include various social groups such as Brahmins, Rajputs, Gadarias, Kayasthas, Banias, Jats, Rors, Gurjars, Kolis, Yadavs, Khatris and Kambojs. Minority ethno-linguistic groups including Dravidians, Tibeto-Burmans and Austroasiatics exist throughout the region. Religion Hinduism is the dominant religion in North India. Other religions practised by various ethnic communities include Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Baháʼí, Christianity, and Buddhism. Hindus constitute more than 80 per cent of the North India's population. The national capital of India, New Delhi, is overwhelmingly Hindu-majority with Hindus constituting nearly 90% of the capital city's population. The states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh are overwhelmingly Hindu-majority. Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are also Hindu majority states, but have a large Muslim minority (14% In Uttarakhand, 19% in Uttar Pradesh). The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has a Muslim majority, while Ladakh has a Muslim plurality with minority Hindus and Buddhists. The state of Punjab has a Sikh majority of 60% and is the homeland of Sikh religion. Languages Linguistically, North India is dominated by Indo-Aryan languages. It is in this region, or its proximity, that Sanskrit and the various Prakrits are thought to have evolved. Hindi is spoken in Western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi and by a large number of people in many urban centres across North India. Many other languages of the Central Indo-Aryan languages such as Awadhi, Braj, Haryanvi, Chhattisgarhi, Bundeli and Bagheli are spoken in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Marwari, Harauti, Malvi, Gujarati, Khandeshi, Marathi and Konkani are spoken in Rajasthan, extreme eastern Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa. Towards the far north, languages of Dardic (such as Kashmiri) and Pahari (such as Dogri, Kumaoni and Garhwali) groups are spoken in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand. Punjabi is spoken in Punjab. Bengali is spoken in West Bengal. Languages of Bihari group, such as Maithili, Magahi and Bhojpuri are spoken in Bihar and Jharkhand. A number of aboriginal languages of Austroasiatic and Dravidian origin are spoken in some regions. Several Sino-Tibetan languages are spoken in the Himalayan region like Kinnauri, Ladakhi, Balti, and Lahuli–Spiti languages. ==Culture==

The composite culture of North India is known as Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, a result of the amicable interaction of Hindus and Muslims there. Dance Dance of North India too has diverse folk and classical forms. Among the well-known folk dances are the bhangra of the Punjab, Ghoomar of Rajasthan, Nati of Himachal Pradesh and rouf and bhand pather of Kashmir. Main dance forms, many with narrative forms and mythological elements, have been accorded classical dance status by India's National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama such as Kathak. Clothing Each state of North India has its own regional forms of clothing: • Uttar Pradesh: Chikan Suit, Pathani Salwar, Kurta Paijama, Lehenga, Gharara, Sari. • Jammu: Kurta/Dogri suthan and kurta/churidar pajama and kurta. • Kashmir: Phiran and poots. • Himachal Pradesh: Shalwar kameez, Kurta, Churidar, Dhoti, Himachali cap and angarkha. • Punjab/Haryana: Salwar (Punjabi) Suit, Patiala salwar, Punjabi Tamba and Kurta, Sikh Dastar, Phulkari, Punjabi Ghagra. • Uttarakhand: Rangwali Phichora. • Rajasthan: Traditional: Ghagra, choli, and odhni for women. Rajasthani pagdi, angarkha/kurta, and dhoti/pyjamas for Men. Mojari are worn for footwear. The pagdi is worn on many occasions, and is part of the heritage of Rajasthan with its many colours and textile design (Leheriya, Bandhej, and Gota Patti). Semi-Formal/Formal: Women often wear the Poshak, historically worn by royalty, and men often wear the Safa/Pagdi, Bandhgala (Jodhpuri suit) along with traditional pants like churidars, dhotis, and Jodhpuri pants. Footwear includes mojari, similar to the shoes found in Sindh. ==Flora and fauna==

in Madhya Pradesh, India North Indian forest vegetation is predominantly subtropical moist deciduous forest in much of Uttar Pradesh, subtropical dry deciduous forest in East Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and areas of Delhi under the Aravalli range, alongside large patches of grasslands, which include Dry, Rocky Shrublands along the hot desert in western Rajasthan and regions closer to the Central Highlands, Seasonal Riverine Grasslands alongside Rivers in the Punjab Plain and Upper Doab, in terms of colder areas there is Montane ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, J&K, and cold desert in Ladakh, and the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Of the moist deciduous trees sal, teak, Mahogany, sheesham (Indian rosewood) and poplar are some which are important commercially. The thorn woodland region mainly contains shrubs and trees like babul, khejri, ronjh, and khair along with dhok and palash in upland regions. The Western Himalayan region abounds in chir, pine, deodar (Himalayan cedar), blue pine, spruce, various firs, birch and junipers. The birch, especially, has historical significance in Indian culture due to the extensive use of birch paper () as parchment for many ancient Indian texts. The Eastern Himalayan region consists of oaks, laurels, maples, rhododendrons, alder, birch and dwarf willows. Reflecting the diverse climatic zones and terrain contained in the region, the floral variety is extensive and ranges from Alpine to Cloud forests, coniferous to evergreen, and thick subtropical moist forests to cool temperate woods. There are around 500 varieties of mammals, 2000 species of birds, 30,000 types of insects and a wide variety of fish, amphibians and reptiles in the region. Animal species in North India include elephant, bengal tiger, indian leopard, snow leopard, sambar (Asiatic stag), chital (spotted deer), hangul (red deer), hog deer, chinkara (Indian gazelle), blackbuck, nilgai (blue bull antelope), porcupine, wild boar, Indian fox, Tibetan sand fox, rhesus monkey, langur, jungle cat, striped hyena, golden jackal, black bear, Himalayan brown bear, sloth bear, and the endangered caracal. Reptiles are represented by a large number of snake and lizard species, as well as the ghariyal and crocodiles. Venomous snakes found in the region include king cobra and krait. Various scorpion, spider and insect species include the commercially useful honeybees, silkworms and lac insects. The strikingly coloured bir bahuti is also found in this region. The region has a wide variety of birds, including peafowl, parrots, and thousands of immigrant birds, such as the Siberian crane. Other birds include pheasants, geese, ducks, mynahs, parakeets, pigeons, cranes (including the celebrated sarus crane), and hornbills. great pied hornbill, Pallas's fishing eagle, grey-headed fishing eagle, red-thighed falconet are found in the Himalayan areas. Other birds found here are tawny fish owl, scale-bellied woodpecker, red-breasted parakeet, Himalayan swiftlet, stork-billed kingfisher and Himalayan or white-tailed rubythroat. The core area of the reserve contains 127 species of mammals, 556 birds species, 37 species of reptiles and 87 species of amphibians, as well as 79 species of fishes, As of August 2025, reserve officials confirmed that reserve's core area hosts more than 79 adult tigers. Corbett National Park: It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park along the banks of the Ramganga River. It is India's first National Park, and was designated a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973. Situated in Nainital district of Uttarakhand, the park acts as a protected area for the critically endangered Bengal tiger of India. Cradled in the foothills of the Himalayas, it comprises a total area of 500 km2 out of which 350 km2 is core reserve. This park is known not only for its rich and varied wildlife but also for its scenic beauty. Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park: Located in West Himalaya, in the state of Uttarakhand, these two national parks constitute a biosphere reserve that is in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2004. The Valley of Flowers is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora, this richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals. Dachigam National Park: Dachigam is a higher altitude national reserve in the state of Jammu and Kashmir that ranges from 5,500 to 14,000 feet above sea level. It is home to the hangul (a red deer species, also called the Kashmir stag). Great Himalayan National Park: This park is located in Himachal Pradesh and ranges in altitude from 5,000 to 17,500 feet. Wildlife resident here includes the snow leopard, the Himalayan brown bear and the musk deer. Desert National Park: Located in Rajasthan, this national reserve features extensive sand dunes and dry salt lakes. Wildlife unique to the region includes the desert fox and the great Indian bustard. Kanha National Park: The sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines of Kanha were the setting for Rudyard Kipling's collection of stories, "The Jungle Book". The Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh came into being in 1955 and forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, created in 1974 under Project Tiger. Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary: Located in the state of Bihar, it is the only protected zone for the endangered Ganges and Indus river dolphin. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary: It is one of the finest bird parks in the world, it is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well. Nesting indigenous water birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by sambar, chital, nilgai and boar. Dudhwa National Park: It covers an area of 500 km2 along the Indo-Nepal border in Lakhimpur Kheri District of Uttar Pradesh, is best known for the barasingha or swamp deer. The grasslands and woodlands of this park, consist mainly of sal forests. The barasingha is found in the southwest and southeast regions of the park. Among the big cats, tigers abound at Dudhwa. There are also a few leopards. The other animals found in large numbers, are the Indian rhinoceros, elephant, jungle cats, leopard cats, fishing cats, jackals, civets, sloth bears, sambar, otters, crocodiles and chital. Ranthambhore National Park: It spans an area of 400 km2 with an estimated head count of thirty two tigers is perhaps India's finest example of Project Tiger, a conservation effort started by the government in an attempt to save the dwindling number of tigers in India. Situated near the small town of Sawai Madhopur it boasts of variety of plant and animal species of North India. Kalesar National Park: Kalesar is a sal forest in the Shivalik Hills of eastern Haryana state. Primarily known for birds, it also contains a small number of tigers and panthers. Sultanpur National Park: Sultanpur is a Ramsar wetland in Gurgaon district of southern Haryana along the Sahibi River. It is primarily known for the numerous migratory birds that come during winter with over 130 species being recorded such as Amur falcons and Egyptian vultures with antelopes like the nilgai also being common. Main vegetation is thorn forest which includes babul, neem, and khair. Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary: Asola is a dry forest spanning South Delhi, Gurgaon, and Faridabad district in Delhi and Haryana. It is located in the foothills of the Aravalli Range. The main vegetation is thorn forest which includes babul, dhok, palash, khejri, and khair. The primary fauna of this forest includes the Indian leopard, golden jackal, jungle cat, and striped hyena. ==Places of interest==

Temple, Delhi Nature The Indian Himalayas, the Thar desert and the Indo-Gangetic plain dominate the natural scenery of North India. The region encompasses several of the most highly regarded hill destinations of India such as Srinagar, Shimla, Manali, Nainital, Mussoorie, Kausani and Mount Abu. Several spots in the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh provide panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayan range. The Himalayan region also provides ample opportunity for adventure sports such as mountaineering, trekking, river rafting and skiing. Camel or jeep safaris of the Thar desert are also popular in the state of Rajasthan. North India includes several national parks and reserve area such as the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Jim Corbett National Park, Keoladeo National Park Ranthambore National Park, Sundarbans National Park and the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. Pilgrimage North India encompasses several of the holiest pilgrimage centres of Hinduism (Varanasi, Haridwar, Allahabad, Char Dham, Vaishno Devi, Rishikesh, Ayodhya, Mathura/Vrindavan, Pushkar, Prayag and two of the twelve Jyotirlinga sites), the most sacred destinations of Buddhism (Sarnath and Kushinagar), the most regarded pilgrimage centres of Sikhism (Amritsar and Hemkund) and some of the highly regarded destinations in Sufi Islam (Ajmer and Delhi). The largest Hindu temple, Akshardham Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in India, Mahabodhi, the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid, and the largest Sikh shrine, Golden Temple, are all in this region. Historical at Agra in Rajasthan North India includes some highly regarded historical, architectural and archaeological treasures of India. The Taj Mahal, an immense mausoleum of white marble in Agra, is one of the universally admired buildings of world heritage. Besides Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Delhi also carry some great exhibits from the Mughal architecture. In Punjab, Patiala is known for being the city of royalty while Amritsar is a city known for its Sikh architecture and the Golden Temple. Lucknow has the famous Awadhi Nawab culture while Kanpur reflects Anglo-Indian architecture with monuments like All Souls Cathedral, King Edward Memorial, Police Quarters, Cawnpore Woollen Mills, Cutchery Cemetery etc. Khajuraho temples constitute another famous world heritage site. The state of Rajasthan is known for exquisite palaces and forts of the Rajput clans. Historical sites and architecture from the ancient and medieval Hindu and Buddhist periods of Indian history, such as Jageshwar, Deogarh and Sanchi, as well as sites from the Bronze Age Indus Valley civilisation, such as Manda and Alamgirpur, can be found scattered throughout northern India. Varanasi, on the banks of the River Ganga, is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the second oldest in India after Nalanda. Bhimbetka is an archaeological site of the Paleolithic era, exhibiting the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent. ==Economy==

The economy of North India varies from agrarian in the northern plains to very industrialised in the National Capital Region. Northwest Indian plains have prospered as a consequence of the Green Revolution in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, and have experienced both economic and social development. The eastern areas of East Uttar Pradesh, however, have lagged and the resulting disparity has contributed to a demand for separate statehood in West Uttar Pradesh (the Harit Pradesh movement). The major industrial regions in North India are the Gurugram-Delhi-Meerut Belt (NCR). North Indian state with highest GDP per capita in the Indian Union was Haryana in 2021. Other North Indian states which follow are Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Delhi has the highest per-capita State Domestic Product (SDP) of any Indian union territory. The National Capital Region of Delhi has emerged as an economic power house with rapid industrial growth. According to a 2009–10 report, a large number of unskilled and skilled workers have moved to southern India and other nations because of the unavailability of jobs locally. The technology boom that occurred in the past three decades in southern India has helped many Indians from the northern region to find jobs and live prosperous lives in southern cities. An analysis by Multidimensional Poverty Index creators reveals that acute poverty prevails in eight Indian states including the northern states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. ==Cuisine==

Popular dishes The best-known North-Indian food items are: • Tandoori chicken • Reshmi kabab • Kadai paneer • Chole bhature • Aloo paratha • Butter chicken • Siddu ==See also==