Previous Year Question

Historically, the more precise description is that Andhra State was the first State in India created on a linguistic basis. It was formed on 1 October 1953 by separating the Telugu-speaking areas of the erstwhile Madras State, with Kurnool as its capital.

The movement for the creation of Andhra State is particularly associated with Potti Sriramulu. Following his fast unto death and his death, the movement for a separate Telugu-speaking State intensified, leading to the creation of Andhra State in 1953.

An important examination distinction should be noted—Andhra State was created in 1953, whereas the State named Andhra Pradesh came into existence on 1 November 1956 during the reorganisation of States, through the merger of Andhra State with the Telugu-speaking areas of Hyderabad State. Thus, although the option says “Andhra Pradesh”, historically the first linguistic State was Andhra State.

The present forms of Kerala and Madhya Pradesh also emerged mainly following the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, and therefore came after Andhra State of 1953.