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In the rocky, undulating uplands of south Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of old tanks — some built nearly a thousand years ago by the Chandela kings — still dot the landscape. They are a reminder that the people of Bundelkhand have always had to work hard for water. Today, the region symbolises UP's development challenge: frequent drought, low farm productivity, debt and migration. It is also the focus of some of the state's biggest development projects.
Where is Bundelkhand?
Bundelkhand spans UP and Madhya Pradesh. In UP, it comprises seven districts:
| Division | Districts |
|---|---|
| Jhansi | Jhansi, Lalitpur, Jalaun |
| Chitrakoot Dham | Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Mahoba |
Geography
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rocks | Hard granite and gneiss (the Bundelkhand massif) — among India's oldest rocks |
| Terrain | Undulating, rocky, with scattered hills and ravines |
| Soils | Rakar, parwa, mar, kabar — often thin, eroded or heavy clay |
| Rivers | Betwa, Ken, Dhasan, Pahuj, Yamuna (northern boundary) |
| Rainfall | Lower and highly erratic compared with the Ganga plain |
| Groundwater | Limited, because hard rock stores little water |
| Temperature | Very hot summers (among UP's highest temperatures) |
History
| Period | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Chandelas (c. 9th–13th century) | Built Khajuraho (in MP), forts such as Kalinjar and Mahoba, and hundreds of tanks |
| Alha and Udal | Legendary warriors of Mahoba; the Alha ballads are sung across north India |
| Bundelas | Gave the region its name; Orchha (MP) was their capital; Chhatrasal resisted the Mughals with Maratha help |
| 1857 | Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi |
Why Bundelkhand faces distress
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Low, erratic rainfall | Frequent droughts (for example, a long drought in the mid-2000s) |
| Hard rock | Poor groundwater recharge |
| Decline of traditional tanks | Encroachment and neglect of Chandela-era tanks |
| Deforestation | Increased runoff and erosion |
| Rain-fed agriculture | Low irrigation; low yields |
| Debt | Crop failures lead to indebtedness |
| Anna pratha | The practice of letting cattle loose after they stop giving milk; herds of stray cattle destroy crops |
| Mining | Illegal sand and stone mining damages rivers and land |
| Migration | Young people migrate to cities for work |
Development initiatives
| Initiative | Details |
|---|---|
| Ken–Betwa link project | India's first project under the national river-interlinking plan; transfers water from the Ken to the Betwa to irrigate Bundelkhand (UP and MP); foundation stone laid in 2024 |
| Bundelkhand Expressway | About 296 km, from Chitrakoot to join the Agra–Lucknow Expressway near Etawah; opened in 2022 |
| UP Defence Industrial Corridor | Nodes at Jhansi and Chitrakoot (along with Agra, Aligarh, Kanpur and Lucknow) |
| Solar parks | Large solar projects on less fertile land |
| Har Ghar Jal | Piped drinking water — Bundelkhand was prioritised under the Jal Jeevan Mission |
| Pond and tank revival | Khet talab (farm ponds) and restoration of traditional tanks |
| Gaushalas | Shelters for stray cattle |
| Bundelkhand package | Special central and state assistance for the region |
Bundelkhand and the separate-state debate
Periodically, there has been a demand for a separate Bundelkhand state (combining UP and MP districts), citing neglect and distinct identity. Present it as a debate, focusing on development solutions.
A Mains framework
| Area | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Water | Tank revival, farm ponds, watershed development, Ken–Betwa, drip irrigation |
| Agriculture | Pulses, oilseeds, millets; horticulture; livestock management |
| Stray cattle | Gaushalas; fodder banks; incentives |
| Livelihoods | Defence corridor jobs; solar; tourism (Kalinjar, Chitrakoot, Jhansi) |
| Connectivity | Expressway and industrial nodes |
| Environment | Afforestation; control of illegal mining |
Practice
Prelims-style:
- Name the seven districts of UP's Bundelkhand.
- What is anna pratha?
- Which dynasty built many of Bundelkhand's tanks?
- Which rivers are linked by the Ken–Betwa project?
- Which two Bundelkhand cities are nodes of the defence corridor?
Mains-style:
- "Bundelkhand's crisis is as much man-made as natural." Discuss.
- Evaluate the Ken–Betwa link project as a solution for Bundelkhand.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission website .
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