Q. The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.

Model Answer: 

Political and Administrative Reorganization of States and Territories in India

The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories in India has been an ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. This process has been driven by various factors such as historical, political, cultural, and linguistic considerations. The reorganization of states and territories in India can be broadly divided into two phases: before independence and after independence.

Reorganization of States and Territories before Independence

1. British India

The British East India Company began its rule in India in the mid-eighteenth century, and by the mid-nineteenth century, it had established direct or indirect control over most parts of the Indian subcontinent. The British divided their territories into provinces for ease of administration. Some of the major provinces during this period were Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Punjab, and United Provinces.

2. Princely States

Apart from the provinces directly administered by the British, there were several hundred princely states that enjoyed varying degrees of autonomy under the British paramountcy. These princely states were scattered throughout the subcontinent and varied greatly in size, population, and economic development.

3. Changes in Territorial Boundaries

During the British rule, there were several changes in the territorial boundaries of provinces and princely states. Some of the major changes included the partition of Bengal in 1905, the creation of the province of Bihar and Orissa in 1912, and the separation of Sind from Bombay in 1936.

Reorganization of States and Territories after Independence

1. Integration of Princely States

After India gained independence in 1947, the princely states were given the option to either join India or Pakistan. Most of the princely states chose to accede to India, and they were integrated into the Indian Union through a process known as the ‘Instrument of Accession.’ This led to the formation of new states and union territories in India.

2. Linguistic Reorganization

The demand for the creation of states on linguistic lines gained momentum in the early years of independent India. The first major linguistic reorganization took place in 1953 when the Telugu-speaking region of the Madras State was carved out to form the new state of Andhra Pradesh. This was followed by the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, which led to the creation of new states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala based on linguistic lines.

3. Creation of New States and Union Territories

Since the linguistic reorganization of states in 1956, there have been several instances of further reorganization of states and union territories in India. Some of the major instances include:

– The creation of the states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh from the erstwhile state of Punjab in 1966.

– The formation of the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh in 1972 and its subsequent elevation to statehood in 1987.

– The creation of the state of Mizoram in 1987.

– The formation of the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand in 2000.

4. Recent Developments

In recent years, there have been demands for the creation of new states such as Gorkhaland, Vidarbha, and Bodoland. However, these demands have not yet been met.

In 2019, the Indian government reorganized the state of Jammu and Kashmir by bifurcating it into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Conclusion

The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories in India has been an ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. This process has been driven by various factors such as historical, political, cultural, and linguistic considerations. While the reorganization of states and territories has helped in addressing the diverse needs and aspirations of the people, it has also posed challenges in terms of maintaining the unity and integrity of the country.