Which was the first linguistic State in India?

Key Points

• Andhra Pradesh was the first state in India to be formed on a linguistic basis.
• It was carved out of the erstwhile Madras State on 1st October 1953.
• The demand for a separate state was spearheaded by the Andhra movement, led by Potti Sriramulu.
• Potti Sriramulu fasted to death in December 1952, which intensified the demand and led to the formation of Andhra Pradesh.

Additional Information

• Kerala: Kerala was formed on 1st November 1956, following the reorganization of states based on the States Reorganisation Act. It was created by merging the Malayalam-speaking regions of Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar.
• Gujarat: Gujarat was formed on 1st May 1960, after the bifurcation of the Bombay State into Maharashtra and Gujarat, based on linguistic lines for Marathi and Gujarati speakers, respectively.
• Rajasthan: Rajasthan became a state on 30th March 1949, but it was not formed on linguistic lines. It was created by merging princely states under the leadership of Sardar Patel during the integration of India.