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Table of Contents
As the seventh-largest and most populous country in the world, India has 28 states and 8 union territories comprising its federal union. The different states are crucial for Indiaβs government to champion regional identity and local governance. Every state has administrative, legislative and judicial functions. Various cultural and linguistic factors were considered in dividing the union into states.
See the fact file below for more information on the States of India, or you can download our 30-page States of India worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
BRITISH INDIA
- From 1858 to 1947, the British Crown ruled the Indian subcontinent.
- That period of governance was called British Raj or Crown rule in India.
- The name British India referred to the region under the administration of the United Kingdom.
- Meanwhile, princely states referred to areas not directly governed by the British, yet these indigenous administrations were still under British authority.
- British India had eight major provinces: Assam, Bengal, Bombay, Burma, Central Provinces and Berar, Madras, Punjab, and United Provinces.
- Minor provinces included Ajmer-Merwara, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Balochistan, Coorg, and North-West Frontier.
- The British Raj lasted until August 1947, when it was partitioned into two independent nations: India and Pakistan.
- By this time, British India had 17 provinces, without Burma and with the additions of Bihar, Delhi, Orissa, Panth-Piploda, and Sind.
- India was divided into presidencies, later known as provinces, which are central administrative divisions ruled by a British monarch called the Indian Emperor.
- Meanwhile, princely states governed by Indian princes under British paramountcy still existed and were called agencies.
- By 1950, the princely states had become politically integrated into the new Indian Union.
NEW CONSTITUTION
- On January 26, 1950, the new Constitution of India came into force and made India a sovereign democratic republic.
- States and union territories took the place of the former provinces.
- The new Constitution recognized three main types of states:
- Part A states, which were ruled by an elected governor and state legislature;
- Part B states, which included former princely states governed by a rajpramukh appointed by the President of India and an elected legislature;
- Part C states, which were either existing princely states or the former chief commissioners’ provinces, each of which was governed by a chief commissioner.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the only Part D state governed by a lieutenant governor appointed by the union government.
- Part A states included Assam, Bihar, Bombay, East Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Madras, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
- Part B states included Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Bharat, Mysore, Patiala and East Punjab States Union, Rajasthan, Saurashtra, and TravancoreβCochin.
- Part C states included Ajmer, Bhopal, Bilaspur, Coorg State, Himachal Pradesh, Kutch, Manipur, Tripura, and Vindhya Pradesh.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STATE AND UNION TERRITORY
- A state has its own administrative units with an elected government while a union territory is constituent units governed by the central government.
- The executive head in a state is the Governor, while in a union territory, it is the President.
- The state is a federal administration, while all powers rest in the hands of the union territory.
- In a state, the Chief Minister is elected by the people and serves as the administrative head.
- In a union territory, the Lieutenant Governor acts as the administrative head and is appointed by the President.
- The union territories of Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir. have their own legislatures.
- Every state and union territory has a capital of its own.
NEW STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES
- More states would be established over the next decades, including Nagaland (1963); Haryana (1966); Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura (1972); Sikkim (1975); Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Goa (1987); Chhattisgarh, Uttaranchal, and Jharkhand (2000); and Telangana (2014).
- Some states were renamed: Madras became Tamil Nadu (1969); Mysore became Karnataka (1973); and Orissa became Odisha in 2011.
- The union territory of Pondicherry was also renamed Puducherry in 2007.
- Chandigarh was designated a union territory in 1966.
- Daman and Diu became a separate union territory from Goa in 1987.
- In 2019, the states of Jammu and Kashmir were reorganized into two separate union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- In 2020, the union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli were officially merged into what is known as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
STATES REORGANISATION ACT
- In 1956, the States Reorganisation Act provided the restructuring and creation of new states based on linguistic and semantic lines.
- Some states were merged, resulting in the formation of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
- Bombay, Mysore, Rajasthan and Punjab were also reorganized.
- Delhi and Lakshadweep were designated union territories.
STATES AND CAPITALS
- The capital cities of the states and union territories are summarized in the table below.
FUN FACTS
- There is a lake created by a meteor in Maharashtra called the Lonar Lake or the Lonar Crater.
- There are plenty of shops without shopkeepers in Mizoram.
- A four-day festival celebrating menstruation called Ambubachi Mela is held in Guwahati annually.
- Reaching a height of 13,025 feet, the Yak Golf Course in Sikkim is considered the highest golf course in the world.
- In Tamil Nadu, there is a traditional fire-walking ceremony called Theemithi.
- The priests of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka perform a rare ritual sacrifice called Varuna Yajna, wherein they will submerge themselves in barrels of water and chant the name of Lord Varun, the Hindu God of Water.
- In Rajasthan, there is a popular temple called the Karni Mata Temple of Deshnoke, which houses around 25,000 rats; it is considered a sin to harm or kill rats here.
- There are automatic vending machines of panipuri, a kind of street food, in Karnataka and Gujarat.
- The Dal Lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is home to the worldβs only floating post office.
States of India Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the States of India across 30 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the States of India. As the seventh-largest and most populous country in the world, India has 28 states and 8 union territories comprising its federal union.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- States of India Facts
- Answer Search
- State The Truth
- Historical Timeline
- Match The Capitals
- Former and Latter
- Statement Sketch
- Fill In The Fun Facts
- Memory Match
- Pick and Tell
- Knowledge Recap
Frequently Asked Questions
How many states are there in India?
India is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories, making a total of 36 administrative divisions. The states have their own elected governments and have the authority to make laws and administer their territories. The union territories are directly administered by the central government.
Which is the largest state in India by area?
Rajasthan is the largest state in India by area. Located in the northwestern part of the country, it covers a vast expanse of 342,239 square kilometers (132,139 square miles). Rajasthan is known for its deserts, palaces, and vibrant culture.
Which is the most populous state in India?
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India. Located in the northern part of the country, it has a population of over 200 million people. Uttar Pradesh is home to several historical and cultural sites, including the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra.
Which state is known as the “Rice Bowl of India”?
Andhra Pradesh is known as the “Rice Bowl of India.” Located in the southeastern part of the country, it is one of the largest producers of rice in India. Andhra Pradesh is also known for its rich cultural heritage and cuisine.
Which state in India is known for its tea production?
Assam is known for its tea production and is the largest tea-growing region in India. Located in northeastern India, Assam’s lush tea gardens produce a significant portion of India’s tea, known for its strong and malty flavor. The state’s picturesque landscapes and wildlife also attract tourists from around the world.
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Use With Any Curriculum
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