The factors that led to reorganization of Bombay and Madras were at stark contrast with the factors that led to reorganization of Punjab and Assam. Do you agree? Explain.

The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 introduced a major reform of the boundaries of the states of India and territories by organizing them along with language factors. Several other changes were made to India’s state boundaries since 1956 and the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 became significant to introduce extensive changes in the state boundaries since the time of India’s independence.

Bombay state

The constitution of India distinguished the states into three main types on the basis of states and a class of territories. Bombay and Madras were under Part A states which were also known as governors’ provinces of British India and ruled by a governor appointed by the president and an elected state legislature.

After the introduction of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, the state of Bombay was enlarged by the addition of Saurashtra and Kutch. The Berar and Nagpur Division of Central Province with Marathi-speaking people and Berar and Marathwada region of Hyderabad State were added. The southernmost districts of the Bombay Presidency were handed over to the Mysore State.

Madras state

Madras was also under the Part A states. And after the introduction of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, Malabar District was transferred to Kerala, and a new union territory of Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands was created. The southern region of Travancore-Cochin, Kanyakumari district was added.

Reorganization of Punjab and Assam

The state of Punjab and Assam were also under Part A states. After the introduction of the States Reorganisation Act, the state was enlarged by adding Patiala and East Punjab States Union. The state of Assam has been divided into multiple states i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya.

Comment

It is quite clear that language and economic development were the main factors for the reorganization of Bombay and Madras state. But in the case of Assam and Punjab, social and cultural factors were responsible for reorganization. Punjab was created after prolonged agitation initiated by Akali-dal a Sikh dominated political party which led the creation of the Sikhs majority state and Hindus Majority state like Haryana.