Study Guides/General Knowledge/First Chief Minister of UP (Uttar Pradesh)
Study Guide · General Knowledge

Who was the First Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh?

Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the most populous and politically significant state in India. Knowing the political history of UP is essential for competitive exams (like UPPSC) and general knowledge.

Question (Click to Flip)

Who was the first Governor of UP?

Answer

The first Governor of the United Provinces (UP) after independence was Sarojini Naidu. She was also the first female governor in Indian history.

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Key Facts

Govind Ballabh Pant Agricultural University in Pantnagar (now in Uttarakhand) was the very first agricultural university established in India, named in his honor.

He was known for his calm, peaceful nature but was severely beaten by British police during a protest in 1928, which left him with a lifelong physical disability.

1. The First Chief Minister

The first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh was Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant.

  • He officially took office on 26th January 1950, the exact same day India became a Republic and the state was officially renamed from 'United Provinces' to 'Uttar Pradesh'.

2. Who was Govind Ballabh Pant?

  • Freedom Fighter: He was a towering figure in the Indian independence movement and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
  • Pre-Independence Role: Even before 1950, when the British allowed provincial elections in 1937, he served as the Premier (Chief Minister) of the 'United Provinces' until 1939, when the Congress ministries resigned in protest of WWII.

3. Contributions and Legacy

  • As the first CM of independent UP, he played a massive role in abolishing the oppressive Zamindari (landlord) system in the state, giving land rights back to poor farmers.
  • After serving as UP's Chief Minister, he moved to the Central Government and served as the Home Minister of India from 1955 to 1961.
  • He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 1957 for his lifelong service to the nation.

Questions and Answers

Who was the first Governor of UP?+

The first Governor of the United Provinces (UP) after independence was Sarojini Naidu. She was also the first female governor in Indian history.

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