Uttar Pradesh forms a major area of the Northern fertile plain or the Indo-Gangetic plain. This area is said to have been occupied by the group of people referred to as "Dasas" by the Aryans. The main occupation of these inhabitants were agriculture. Till BC 2000, the Aryans had not settled in this region.

It was through conquest that the Aryans occupied this area and laid the foundations of a Hindu civilization. The regions of Uttar Pradesh was said to have been the ancient Panchala country. The great war of the Mahabharata between the Kauravas and Pandavas was said to have been fought here.

Besides the Kurus and Panchalas, the Vatsas, the Kosis, Hosalas, Videhas etc formed the early region of Uttar Pradesh. These areas were called Madhyadesa. It was during the Aryan inhabitation that the epics of Mahabharata, Ramayana, the Brahamanas and Puranas were written.

During the reign of Ashoka, works for public welfare were taken up. Having rich resources there was active trade within and outside the country. The rule of the Magadha empire brought Buddhism and Jainism into this region. This period witnessed administrative and economic advancement.

The Kushanas exercised their power over this region till 320AD. The territory passed into the hands of the Guptas during whose rule, the Huns invaded this region. After the decline of the Guptas, the Maukharis of Kannauj gained power.

During the rule of Harshavardhana, Kannauj was an important city. After his rule political chaos set it. It was amidst this confusion that the Muslims invaded into Utter Pradesh though the society was dominated by the Rajputs, jats and other local chiefs. In 1016AD Mahmud of Ghazni laid his eyes on the wealth of Kannauj.

He was followed by Mohammad Ghori. Throughout the rule of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals, the territory progressed. After the Mughals, the Jats, the Rohillas, and the Marathas established their rule. By 1803 the British controlled this region and annexed it by 1856. It was in the Uttar Pradesh (The period between 1857-58) that the first strugglefor liberation from the British yoke was unleashed. The revolt was suppressed and from then till independence it remained under British dominance. In 1950 the state was organized and named as Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh is often referred to as the 'Hindi heartland of India'. Architectural legacies of the past millennia of Uttar Pradesh survive to varying extent. The oldest of them fall within the purview of archaeology or mythology; religious places in the State – identifiable in the narratives of Puranas and other sacred literature of Indian religions – have architectural edifices that are very old and have been built over repeatedly in course of time.

Medieval kings and emperors have left imposing monuments: forts, palaces, temples, mosques and mausoleums, whose external and internal grandeur recalls the opulence of those times. British colonial architecture is still seen in many cities' judicial buildings, hospitals, banks, post offices, police stations, and railway stations.

Uttar Pradesh is famous for the way people celebrate festivals here, Holi and Janmasthami. The state is also famous for its art and crafts. The state is known for the famous Kathak dance. The culture varies within the state, as the different communities live there. Hindu have their own culture style of living and the Muslim also have their own style of living.

Culture is a vital part in every part of India and this is apparent in each nook and corner of every state. However, Uttar Pradesh can no way be an exception. But, no other state in India can swank about their culture as vibrant as Uttar Pradesh culture. This state has an opulent history and has contributed to a great extent towards the consolidation of its stunning culture. This state had been ruled by various emperors as well as dynasties and almost each one of them, whether he is a Moghul or a Nawab has contributed tremendously in consolidating the culture of Uttar Pradesh. The culture of Uttar Pradesh is rich as it has a heritage of songs as well as dances and these are observed as an integral part of their culture.

This state has a unique song culture including various classical, folk, semi-classical and semi-folk genres. The Ghazal and Quawwali are quite famous and are sung and danced for every important event or occasion. The Ghazal is based on mood and spirit of the singer, while the Quawwali is a season based song or rather situation based song as well. The other forms are Birha, Chaiti and Kajari. Apart from these, the other art forms Rasia, Tappa, Khayal and Thumari are popular amidst the elites. The Uttar Pradesh culture is obvious as it has produced some masters of music genres. The Uttar Pradesh culture is prominent in its popular dance form, Kathak. This dance originated in the Royal courts and has traversed a lengthy path ever since its inception.