UP polls 2017: Things to know

The seven-phase polling for 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh announcement has the stage is set for yet another bitter electoral battle between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and its political rivals.

Lucknow: The seven-phase Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is all set to be held from February 11 to March 8.

In the previous election in 2012, the Samajwadi Party had won a majority and formed the government in the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav.

Here, we take a look at some of the interesting facts of the state, that is barely a week away from the first phase of assembly polls. 

Uttar Pradesh is the home to most powerful empires of medieval and ancient times – Magadh, Nand, Maurya, Sunga, Kushan, Rashtrakut, Pal and Mughals.

During British Period this state was also called NWPA (North West Province of Agra and Oudh) which was renamed as United Province of Agra and Oudh in 1902. In short, it was called United Provinces.

Varanasi city is regarded as the spiritual capital of India as the city draws pilgrims who bathe in the river Ganges’ sacred waters and perform funeral rites. There are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva along the winding streets of Varanasi.

Uttar Pradesh has placed an important role in Indian politics and has given eight prime ministers to India – Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh from Fatehpur, Chandrashekhar from Ballia, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.

In Uttar Pradesh, around 81% peoples are Hindus and 17% are Islam. The remaining 2% follows other religions.

Taj Mahal -- One of the seven wonders of the world and the famous enduring monument of India, it was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife of three, Mumtaz Mahal. The monument attracts some 3 million visitors a year. 

On 9 Nov 2000 separate state of Uttarakhand was carved out from this state.

Uttar Pradesh has a maximum number of legislative assembly -- 403 and legislative council of 100 seats among all Indian states.

It was created on 1 Aril 1937 as United Province during British rule and was renamed as Uttar Pradesh in 1950.

The Parijaat tree is a sacred baobab tree in the village of Kintoor, near Barabanki about which there are several legends. It is known for its flower, which changes colour during the day. Legend has it that the parijat plant was brought down from heaven by Lord Krishna for his second wife, Satyabhama.

In 1920 the capital of province shifted from Allahabad to Lucknow while the High Court continued to be at Allahabad. In present time also most of the important administrative offices are still in Allahabad.