Puruvanchal पूर्वांचल |
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Region | |
Country | India |
Region | North India |
Major Cities | Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Buxar, Arrah, Chhapra, Siwan, Bettiah |
Split divisions | |
Language | Bhojpuri and Awadhi dialects of Hindustani |
Largest district | Sonbhadra |
Purvanchal is a geographic region of northern India, which comprises the eastern end of Uttar Pradesh and western end of Bihar state where Bhojpuri is the predominant language. It is bounded by Nepal to the north, Indian state Bihar to the east, Bagelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh state to the south, the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh to the west and the end of Lower Doab (Kanpur-Fatehpur-Allahabad region) in Uttar Pradesh to its southwest.
Purvanchal consists mainly of 4 divisions: the eastern-Awadhi region in the west, the western-Bhojpuri region in the east, the Baghelkhand region in the south, and the Nepal region in the north. It lies on the Indo-Gangetic plain, and together with western Bihar is the most densely populated area in the world. The rich quality of soil and the high earthworm density in the soil versus adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh is favourable for agriculture. Most of the countryside is given to intensive agriculture. Bhojpuri is the predominant language or dialect in the region, in addition to Hindi, although Awadhi and Baghelkhandi are also spoken in the western and southern areas. Like Bihar state to the east, a large population, slow economic growth, agricultural mechanisation, and the closure of sugar mills have led to increased unemployment, social and political discontent, and some unrest in the region.