Question

In which year was Andhra state formed after independence?

Hint:

Note the distinction: Andhra State (Telugu-speaking districts carved from Madras) was formed in 1953. Following the States Reorganisation Act, it was merged with the Telugu-speaking areas of Hyderabad State to form the expanded state of Andhra Pradesh in 1956.

Answer 1

Step 1: The Linguistic States Agitation:
Following independence, there was a strong, popular demand in southern India to reorganize administrative boundaries along linguistic lines, particularly among Telugu speakers in the Madras Province. The central government hesitated, fearing linguistic divisions would threaten national unity.

Step 2: The Fast and Martyrdom of Potti Sreeramulu:
The movement intensified when a prominent Gandhian leader, Potti Sreeramulu, went on an indefinite hunger strike demanding a separate state for Telugu speakers. His tragic death on $15^{th}$ December 1952, after a 56-day fast, sparked widespread violent protests, demonstrations, and administrative paralysis across the region.

Step 3: Official State Creation (1953):
To restore order and respect the popular democratic mandate, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced the creation of a separate Telugu-speaking state. The state of Andhra State was officially inaugurated on $1^{st$ October, 1953}, carving out Telugu-speaking districts from Madras. This event catalyzed the setting up of the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) in December 1953 to review linguistic demands nationwide.