Understanding the Formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat

The question asks about the year when the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat were established. This event was a significant outcome of the linguistic reorganisation of Indian states after independence.

Background of States Reorganisation

Following India's independence, there was a strong demand for states to be reorganised based on language. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was a major step in this direction, leading to the formation of several states.

However, the large bilingual state of Bombay, which included Marathi-speaking, Gujarati-speaking, Kannada-speaking, and Konkani-speaking areas, remained as a single entity after the 1956 reorganisation, although some Kannada-speaking areas were transferred to Mysore state.

Demand for Separate Linguistic States

There were strong movements advocating for the creation of separate states for Marathi-speaking and Gujarati-speaking populations:

• Samyukta Maharashtra Movement: This movement demanded a separate state for Marathi-speaking people, including Bombay city.
• Mahagujarat Movement: This movement demanded a separate state for Gujarati-speaking people.

These movements gained significant momentum and support, leading the government to reconsider the structure of the Bombay state.

Bifurcation of Bombay State

Yielding to the popular demand and the strength of the movements, the Government of India passed the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960. This act led to the bifurcation of the state of Bombay on linguistic lines.

The key outcomes of this act were:

• The formation of the state of Maharashtra for Marathi-speaking people, with Bombay city as its capital.
• The formation of the state of Gujarat for Gujarati-speaking people, with Ahmedabad as its initial capital (later shifted to Gandhinagar).

The Year of Creation

The Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 came into effect on 1st May 1960. Therefore, the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat were created in the year 1960.

Based on the historical events and the legislation, the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat were created in 1960.

Revision Table: Maharashtra and Gujarat Formation

• Event: Bifurcation of Bombay State
• Outcome: Creation of Maharashtra and Gujarat
• Year: 1960
• Basis: Linguistic Reorganisation
• Key Movements: Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, Mahagujarat Movement

Additional Information: Linguistic States Reorganisation

The reorganisation of states in India based on language was a complex process. While the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was a major step, it did not fully resolve all linguistic demands, as seen in the case of the bilingual Bombay state. The creation of Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960, and subsequently other states like Haryana (from Punjab) in 1966, shows the continued process of state formation and reorganisation based on various factors, including language and regional identity.

The formation of these states helped in administration and promoting linguistic cultures, though it also led to some inter-state issues, such as boundary disputes.