Background: The WHO estimates that of the 529 000 maternal deaths occurring every year 136 000 take place in India.

Methods: This was a community based case–control study done in rural areas of Lucknow, UP (India) in a period of one year. 90 maternal deaths were identified and were matched with two controls. Data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0 and Open Epi version 2.3. Results have been given in form of Unadjusted and Adjusted Odds ratio.

Results:  The most important direct cause of maternal death was Hemorrhage. Anaemia was the most important indirect cause of death. High birth order, short inter–pregnancy interval and young age of conception were found as important risk factors for maternal death

Conclusion:We conclude that women who have higher birth order, smaller inter–pregnancy interval, younger age of conception and have a bad obstetric history have higher chances of maternal deaths.