Reshaping India's Political Map — Practice

Question 1

Who founded the Mauryan Empire and when?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: Chandragupta Maurya, in 322 BCE, with his mentor Chanakya (Kautilya). The Mauryan Empire lasted until 185 BCE. Ashoka (Chandragupta's grandson) was its most famous ruler.

Question 2

Who integrated India's princely states after Independence?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the 'Iron Man of India'. He integrated 562 princely states between 1947-1949.

Question 3

What was the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 and why was it significant?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Background.
  After Independence, Indian states were based on British administrative divisions (which often ignored language). People wanted states based on COMMON LANGUAGE.

Step 2 — Catalyst: Potti Sriramulu.
  Andhra freedom fighter who FASTED TO DEATH (1952) demanding a separate Telugu state. His death triggered formation of Andhra State in 1953.

Step 3 — States Reorganisation Commission (1953).
  Government appointed Fazl Ali, K.M. Panikkar, H.N. Kunzru to recommend reorganisation. They suggested linguistic basis.

Step 4 — States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
  India's states redrawn based on LANGUAGE. Created 14 states + 6 Union Territories.

Step 5 — Significance.
  • Linguistic unity within each state
  • Better administration
  • Cultural homogeneity
  • Democratic participation easier
  • Reduced inter-state conflicts
  • Pattern continued — later states (Maharashtra 1960, Punjab-Haryana 1966, etc.) followed linguistic lines.

✦ Answer: The States Reorganisation Act 1956 redrew India's state boundaries on LINGUISTIC basis. Triggered by Potti Sriramulu's death (1952) and recommendations of States Reorganisation Commission (1953). Created 14 states + 6 UTs. Significant because: improved administration, cultural unity, democratic participation. Set the pattern for later state creations. India's current 28 states largely reflect this approach.

Question 4

Discuss how India's political map evolved from 1947 to 2026.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — 1947: Birth of Modern India.
  India became independent on 15 August 1947, with simultaneous Partition into India + Pakistan. Initially 9 provinces of British India + ~565 princely states.

Step 2 — 1947-49: Integration of Princely States.
  Sardar Patel led integration. Most joined peacefully through 'Instruments of Accession'. Special cases:
  • Junagadh: Hindu majority, Muslim ruler chose Pakistan; people protested; joined India via referendum
  • Hyderabad: Muslim Nizam wanted independence; Operation Polo (Sept 1948) integrated
  • Jammu and Kashmir: Maharaja Hari Singh signed Instrument 26 October 1947 amid Pakistan-backed raids

Step 3 — 1950: Constitution.
  26 January 1950: India became Republic. Original 14 states + few UTs. Federal structure.

Step 4 — 1953-56: Linguistic Reorganisation.
  Andhra State (1953) after Potti Sriramulu fast. Then States Reorganisation Act 1956 redrew major states on language.

Step 5 — 1960-80: Further reorganisation.
  • 1960: Maharashtra + Gujarat (from Bombay state)
  • 1963: Nagaland (from Assam)
  • 1966: Punjab + Haryana
  • 1971: Himachal Pradesh becomes state
  • 1975: Sikkim joins India (referendum)

Step 6 — 1987: Northeast and Goa.
  Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh became states (from UTs). Goa became state.

Step 7 — 2000: Three new states.
  Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand created (carved out of MP, Bihar, UP). Met regional aspirations.

Step 8 — 2014: Telangana.
  Separated from Andhra Pradesh on 2 June 2014. India's 29th state at the time.

Step 9 — 2019: J&K Reorganisation.
  Article 370 abrogated. J&K split into 2 Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir + Ladakh. Brought India to current 28 states + 8 UTs.

Step 10 — Border issues.
  • 1962 Sino-Indian War: Aksai Chin lost
  • 1971 Indo-Pak War: Bangladesh formed
  • Ongoing: LAC with China, LoC with Pakistan

Step 11 — Demographic and language changes.
  India became world's most populous in 2023. Hindi-English work language; 22 scheduled languages.

Step 12 — Summary.
  India 1947: 9 provinces + 565 princely states, fragmented.
  India 2026: 28 states + 8 UTs, unified federal structure.
  Journey involved: integration, partition, war, reorganisation, democratic processes.

✦ Answer: India's political map from 1947 to 2026: BEGAN with 9 provinces + 565 princely states (Sardar Patel integrated them). 1956: States Reorganisation Act on LINGUISTIC basis. Major additions over years: Maharashtra-Gujarat (1960), Punjab-Haryana (1966), Sikkim (1975), Northeast states, Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand-Uttarakhand (2000), Telangana (2014), J&K reorganisation (2019). Current: 28 states + 8 UTs. Border issues with China and Pakistan continue. India's political evolution reflects democratic, peaceful (mostly) accommodation of diverse needs.

Practice — Reshaping India's Political Map

Sign in to save attempts to your dashboard and track your accuracy over time

Find a verified tutor

Join a live course

Browse coaching centres

About

Categories

Support

Documentation

Get Study Tips & Updates

Download Our App

Download for iOS

Download for Android

Popular Cities