India got its independence on August 15, 1947. At that time the nation was not divided into its states, as it is today. India's borders were drawn differently. But in due course, the political reassociation of the country started and there is a fascinating story behind the first state that was formed after independence.
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Which Was the First State Formed After Independence?
Andhra State, formed on October 1, 1953 was the first state to be formed after independence.
Telugu-speaking people did not have a state of their own before this. They belonged to the big Madras Province, a linguistic and cultural melange. The Telugu people saw a lack of representation for their culture, identity and language. This resulted in a great movement.
The Birth of Andhra State
Source: Incredible India
The movement to have a separate state was led by a freedomfighter, Potti Sriramulu. He wanted people who spoke the same language to be governed by a state government.
Sriramulu started a hunger strike asking for a separate state for Telugu-speaking people. In all, he fasted for 56 days. But he passed away on 15th December 1952. He became a national icon. There were widespread protests in the Telugu-speaking states. At one point, things got so bad that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had to intervene.
On December 19, 1952, Prime Minister Nehru finally announced the creation of a separate state for Telugu speakers. The Government of India then set up Justice K.N. Wanchoo, the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, to look into the financial and administrative aspects.
The International Journal of Humanities Social Science and Management mentions: “Potti Sriramulu who began a fast unto death at Madras attained martyrdom on the night of December 15,1952. This was followed by widespread violence all over the Andhra region. As violence continued unabated in many parts , Prime Minister ,Nehru, finally conceded the demand of Andhras for separate linguistic province. On Dec 19, 1952 he announced the intention of his government to form an Andhra State with the undisputed Telugu speaking districts excluding the city of Madras.”
Source: Incredible India
The Andhra State Act was passed in September 1953. The Nehru Archives mentions: “On 10 August 1953, a Bill was introduced in the House of the People for the formation of the Andhra State. The State of Andhra, according to a statement in Parliament on 17 August 1953, was a province which approximated as much as possible to a linguistic province. The Andhra State Act, 1953, passed by Parliament received the assent of the President on 14 September 1953.”
Andhra State demonstrated that people's power is key to democracy. It redefined the way India drew its internal boundaries which is not along the lines created by the British, but along linguistic and cultural divisions.
Potti Sriramulu laid down his life for this cause. He is now known as an "Amarajivi" (immortal) in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. India has renamed a district in Andhra Pradesh after him which is the Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District.
