Kanpur

Kanpur came into existence centuries back if we are to believe the various stories recorded in history. One of the ancient stories revolves around the era of Mahabharata, where Duryodhana gifted this land to Karna for his bravery and strength to match up to Arjuna. Initially known as Karnapur, the city became Kanpur down the years. Certain epics also tell the tale that this city was termed Kanhaiyapur after Lord Krishna and later came to be known as Kanpur.

The biggest city of the state of Uttar Pradesh resting on the banks of river Ganga, Kanpur came into the limelight after being transferred to the British by the Nawab of Awadh. With an increase in the number of colonial traders, the most frequently accessed routes were the Grand Trunk Road and the road crossing over from Jhansi to Lucknow. Kanpur also stands witness to the Massacre of Kanpur, a tragic past during the struggle for Indian independence.

Today, Kanpur has emerged as the Industrial hub for India. Also known to house the famous Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur accommodates many other educational institutions. Shopping in Kanpur is incomplete without buying leather and cotton products.

A special note for the food crazy people out there - do not leave the premises of Kanpur without having a taste of the yummy Thaggu ke Laddoo, a mouth-watering venture of Mattha Pandey, alias Ram Avtar based at Bada Chauraha. If you want to try out more delicacies, then there is Badnaam Kulfi for the brave hearts, at Civil Lines, Kanpur.