Even after the significant reorganization of states in 1956, India’s political landscape remained dynamic, constantly changing in response to the pressures of popular movements and shifting political conditions. Existing states were fragmented as a result of the demand for the formation of new states based on linguistic or cultural homogeneity. This ongoing alteration of India’s map demonstrates the nation’s dedication to accommodating diverse identities and aspirations within its federal structure.
The state of Andhra Pradesh
- Andhra Pradesh was established on November 1, 1956, when the Telugu-speaking districts of the former state of Hyderabad merged with the Andhra State.
- The state was created under the 1956 States Reorganization Act, which sought to reorganize India’s states along linguistic lines.
- Hyderabad served as the headquarters of Andhra Pradesh until 2014, when the state of Telangana was created and Hyderabad became the capital of Telangana. Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, is still under construction.
Gujarat and Maharashtra
- On 1 May 1960, after the Bombay State was divided along linguistic lines, the Bombay State was reorganized as the Bombay State.
- Bombay State was divided to resolve linguistic and cultural disparities between Marathi-speaking and Gujarati-speaking regions.
- Gujarat was created from the Gujarati-speaking regions of the former Bombay State, whereas Maharashtra was established from the Marathi-speaking regions.
- The former Bombay State included territories that were subsequently incorporated into other states, such as the present-day state of Karnataka.
The region of Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- On 11 August 1961, the former Portuguese colonies of Dadra and Nagar Haveli merged with the Indian Union to create Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- These territories were a part of Portuguese India until 1954, when they were incorporated into India as union territories.
- The union with India was part of the process of integrating former Portuguese colonies into India.
Goa, Daman, and diu
- Goa was separated from the union territory of Goa, Daman, and Diu on May 30, 1987.
- In 1961, India annexed the former Portuguese colonies in India of Goa, Daman, and Diu.
- Initially administered as a singular union territory, Goa, Daman, and Diu were separated into Goa, Daman, and Diu in 1987.
India’s Puducherry
- On July 1, 1963, the former French colonies of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe merged with the Indian Union to create India.
- These territories were a part of French India until 1954, when they were incorporated into India as union territories.
- The integration with the Indian Union was part of the effort to incorporate former French colonies into India.
Northeastern Nagaland
- On December 1, 1963, the Naga Hills District of Assam was separated to create the new state of Nagaland.
- Nagaland was created in response to the Naga people’s demands for a separate state due to their distinct cultural and ethnic identity.
- The Naga people’s rebellion against the Indian government led to negotiations and the eventual foundation of the state.
Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Haryana
- Haryana was established on November 1, 1966, after being separated from Punjab.
- Demands for a distinct state from the Hindi-speaking regions of Punjab led to the establishment of Haryana.
- Chandigarh functions as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana and is a union territory.
- It was constructed in the 1950s as a planned new metropolis to function as the capital of Punjab following India’s independence.
- Himachal Pradesh was also established on November 1, 1966, after being separated from Punjab.
- The clamor for a distinct state by the inhabitants of Punjab’s hilly regions led to the establishment of Himachal Pradesh.
Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur
- Manipur was established on January 21, 1972, following its separation from Assam.
- People in the Manipuri-speaking areas of Assam demanded a separate state, which led to the formation of Manipur.
- Tripura was also established on January 21, 1972, following its separation from Assam.
- Tribal people of the region demanded a distinct state, which led to the creation of Tripura.
- Meghalaya was established on January 21, 1972, following its separation from Assam.
- Meghalaya was created as a consequence of demands for a separate state by the region’s tribal inhabitants.
Tibet (Sikkim)
- Sikkim was established on May 16, 1975, after merging with India and becoming a state.
- Sikkim was an Indian protectorate until 1975, when a referendum determined whether it should remain a protectorate or become an Indian state.
- The majority of Sikkimese voted in favor of integrating with India and becoming a state in the referendum.
- Mizoram was established on February 20, 1987, following its separation from Assam.
- The Mizo people of the region demanded a distinct state, which led to the formation of Mizoram.
- Arunachal Pradesh was also established on February 20, 1987, following its separation from Assam.
- The establishment of Arunachal Pradesh was prompted by the desires of the region’s tribal people for a separate state.
- Goa was established on May 30, 1987, following its separation from the union territory of Goa, Daman, and Diu.
- India annexed the former Portuguese colony of Goa in 1961.
- Goa was administered as part of the union territory of Goa, Daman, and Diu until 1987, when it became a sovereign state.
Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh
- Chhattisgarh was established on November 1, 2000, after being separated from Madhya Pradesh.
- The formation of Chhattisgarh was prompted by demands for a separate state from the region’s inhabitants, who believed their development requirements were being neglected.
- The state of Uttarakhand was created out of the former state of Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000.
- The formation of Uttarakhand resulted from the demands of the people of Uttar Pradesh’s hill regions, who felt their development requirements were being neglected.
- Jharkhand was also established on November 9, 2000, following its separation from Bihar.
- Jharkhand was created in response to demands for a distinct state by the region’s indigenous population.
The state of Telangana
- Telangana was established on June 2, 2014, when it was separated from Andhra Pradesh.
- The formation of Telangana was prompted by the people of the Telangana region, who felt neglected in terms of development and political representation, demanding a separate state.
The States Reorganization Act of 1956 was a significant piece of legislation that redrawn state boundaries along linguistic lines. The Center must play the role of an impartial arbitrator to ensure that the cake is divided in a way that satisfies everyone’s requirements but no one’s avarice.