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Question 74 of 136 · Indian States & Union Territories
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The movement of the 1940s and 1950s for a single unified state of all Telugu-speaking people, including the Telangana region of Hyderabad State, was called the:

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Answer: Option C — Visalandhra movement

Detailed Solution

The Visalandhra movement ("Greater Andhra" movement) demanded a single state for all the Telugu-speaking people, by uniting the Telugu areas of the Madras State with the Telangana region of the princely state of Hyderabad.

Background:

  • The Telugu-speaking people were divided between the Madras Presidency (coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema) and the princely state of Hyderabad (Telangana).
  • The demand for a separate Andhra province had been made since the early 20th century; the Andhra Mahasabha was formed in 1913.

The Visalandhra idea:

  • In the 1940s, many Telugu leaders, especially the Communist Party, supported the idea of a "Visalandhra", including Telangana.
  • The Communists, who had led the Telangana peasant armed struggle (1946-1951) against the Nizam and the landlords, were among its strongest supporters.

Andhra State (1953):

Andhra State was formed on 1 October 1953, from the Telugu-speaking districts of the Madras State, with Kurnool as its capital.

Formation of Andhra Pradesh (1956):

  • The States Reorganisation Commission (1955) suggested that Telangana could remain a separate state for some years, but Telugu leaders pressed for a united state.
  • The Gentlemen's Agreement (1956) gave certain safeguards to the people of Telangana.
  • On 1 November 1956, the Telangana region of Hyderabad State was merged with Andhra State to form the state of Andhra Pradesh, with Hyderabad as its capital.

Thus the aim of Visalandhra was achieved.

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy became the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Later movements:

  • The "Jai Telangana" movement (1969) demanded a separate Telangana state.
  • The "Jai Andhra" movement (1972) demanded a separate Andhra state.
  • Telangana was finally formed as a separate state on 2 June 2014, as the 29th state of India.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗The Jai Andhra and Telangana Praja Samiti movements demanded separation, not unification; the Samyukta Andhra Samiti was a later group opposing the division of the state.

Quick tip

Remember: Visalandhra = movement for a united Telugu state (Andhra + Telangana); achieved on 1 November 1956 (Andhra Pradesh, capital Hyderabad); Telangana separated on 2 June 2014.

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Indian States & Union Territories — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Indian States & Union Territories, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers state-wise GK for India: capitals, formation dates, high courts, state animals, birds and flowers, famous places, and the culture, dances and festivals that identify each state and union territory. Questions commonly ask about the newest state or union territory, the state formed on a particular date, the capitals of states, and which high court serves more than one state. Keep a single table per state with its capital, formation year and key facts. Reorganisations such as that of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 change the answers, so make sure your notes are up to date. Practise the Indian states and union territories questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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