Kanpur

Kanpur is located in the Oudh region of Uttar Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, Kanpur attracts tourists all round the year. Kanpur is the largest city in Uttar Pradesh that has its own historical, religious and commercial significance. Though Kanpur primarily is an agricultural hub, it has also become a prominent industrial centre of India. 

The history of Kanpur dates back to the period of the Mahabharata. Kanpur was a territory gifted to Karna by Suyodhana. The city was initially known by the name Karnapur 'the land of Karna'. Over the ages 'Karnapur" was shortened to become Kanpur.

Several archaeological evidences linking Kanpur to the later Vedic period were excavated from Jajmau, which is located in the eastern part of Kanpur, in the year 1957-58. These evidences also show that Kanpur was a part of the Yayati Kingdom.

Kanpur remained quite an insignificant place in the later pages of history, until 1765. In the year 1765, the province of Kanpur was handed over to the British by the Nawab of Awadh. Kanpur henceforth became a prominent garrison town of the British and rose to become a hub of politics and commerce.

The upsurge of Indian Struggle for Independence was also witnessed by Kanpur. The First War of Indian Independence also known as the ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ that took place in the year 1857 was led by Nana Sahib of Bithur at Kanpur and it ended in the 'Massacre of Kanpur' or 'Bibighar Massacre'. This event that stirred the heart of India became an inspiration for the freedom fighters.

Today, Kanpur is an industrial and agricultural hub known all over the world for its leather industry. The economy of Kanpur is based mainly on the production, tanning and polishing of leather, production of cotton fabrics and the export of various leather products. Kanpur is also famous for its educational centres which are Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Agricultural College, National Sugar Institute & Govt. Textile Institute, IIT, etc.

Kanpur experiences extreme climatic conditions. The best time to visit is from October through March, where it keeps off extreme winter and severe foggy days. The other best time is during the festival of Holi, which is celebrated between February and March.

Kanpur has a well developed tourism industry as well owing to its rich historical and cultural past and the River Ganges. Some of the popular tourist destinations of Kanpur are Shri Radhakrishna Temple, Jain Glass Temple, Allen Forset Zoo, Moti Jheel Park and Gurudwara Banno Sahib. Among other places of interest are Jajmau, the Temple of Lord Hanumanji, Kamla Retreat, Panki, Nana Rao Park, Buddha Park, All Souls' Memorial Church, etc.

The nearest airport to Kanpur is at Chakeri which is just off the town and has daily domestic flights to and from Kanpur across many cities in India.  The next nearest airport is at Delhi, which is around 438 km.

Kanpur is well connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and other parts of India by rail. Kanpur Barrack is the main Railway station in Kanpur that with expresses trains providing easy access from Kanpur to the rest of India.

Kanpur has public and private buses plying to and from neighbouring and interstate. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has buses functioning from deluxe to luxury coaches offered by private operators.