Many of the great sages of the Vedic times like Bharadwaja, Yajnavalkya, Vasista, Viswamitra, and Valmiki seems to have flourished in this state. Many sacred books of Aryans were also composed in this place. For instance, Varsha Purana is associated with Mathura. U.P appears to be the birthplace of the two great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharatha. In Ramayana, the family of Kosala is featured and in Mahabharatha the royal family of Hastinapura is featured. Both these places are situated in Uttar Pradesh.

In the medieval period U.P. passed under the Muslim rule and there was a new fusion of Hindu and Islamic cultures. Ramananda, his Muslim disciple, Kabirdas, Tulsidas, and Birbal form the base of the intellect edifices of the mediaeval India. The state reeled under the British during their imperial rule.

The British combined Agra and Oudh into one province and called the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. In 1935, the name was shortened to United Province and after independence, in January 1950 the name United Province was changed to Uttar Pradesh.