Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura Foundation Day: January 21

January 20, 2023

On January 21, 2023, the northeastern states Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura celebrated their Statehood day. The government of India granted their statehood on January 21, 1972, under the North Eastern Region (Reorganization) Act, 1971.

Background

During British rule, there were 565 princely states in India. They were not part of British India but were tied to the system via Subsidiary Alliances. The Government of India Act, of 1935 introduced the Instrument of Accession. Under this, a princely state may choose to join the Federation of India. Most of the princely states disagreed with the Instrument of Accession but changed their opinion after Second World War. After the British left India in 1947, many states joined the federation. Some held on to their autonomy.

Formation of Manipur

Maharaja of Manipur, Bodhachandra Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India in 1947. Indian Government assured the king that the internal autonomy of Manipur will be maintained. The king started facing pressure from the public and therefore made Manipur a constitutional monarchy in 1948-49. With this Manipur became the first Indian region to hold elections. By 1948, the Manipur assembly started facing differences and the Maharaja was losing his power amongst the public. By 1949, the Indian Government signed a merger agreement with Maharaja of Manipur. From 1949 to 1972, Tripura remained a Union Territory. It received statehood in 1972.

Formation of Meghalaya

Meghalaya comprises three main regions called Khasi hills, the Garo hills, and the Jaintia hills. The rulers of Garo and Khasi joined India in 1947.

Meghalaya was made a sub-state of Assam in 1969 under the Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act, 1969. This was done according to the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution. The sixth schedule discusses the administration of tribal areas and their autonomy. Later Meghalaya received its statehood in 1972.

Formation of Tripura

Tripura did not sign the Instrument of Accession initially. It merged with India in 1949 and was made a Union Territory. Later it received its statehood in 1972.

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