Himachal Pradesh statehood Day 2022

Context

Himachal Day is observed on the 15th of April in Himachal Pradesh. The state became a full-fledged state on this day.

History during the British Rule

• After Queen Victoria's proclamation in 1858, the British territories in the hill came under the British Crown.
• During British rule, the states of Chamba, Mandi, and Bilaspur made significant progress in many fields.
• During World War I (1914-18), practically all hill state rulers remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort, both in terms of men and materials.

Distinguish between states

• The 1950 Constitution distinguished three main types of states. They were as follows-
  • Part A states: They were the former provinces of British India. They were ruled by the governors appointed by the president. Nine states belonged to this category. They were Bihar, Bombay, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Madras, Punjab, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Part B states: They were the former princely states. They were governed by Rajpramukh. The system of Rajpramukh existed in India between 1947 and 1956. The Rajpramukh was appointed by the President of India. They were Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad, Mysore, Madhya Pradesh, East Punjab States Union, Rajasthan, Saurashtra and Travancore.
  • Part C states: These states included both the former chief commissioners’ provinces and the princely states. Part C states were Bhopal, Ajmer, Bilaspur, Delhi, Coorg, Cutch, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura and Vindhya Pradesh.

Formation of Himachal Pradesh

• The Chief Commissioner's province of Himachal Pradesh was established on April 15, 1948.
• With the implementation of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, Himachal Pradesh became a Part C state (under Part VII).
• On July 1, 1954, Bilaspur was merged with Himachal Pradesh.
• Himachal Pradesh became a Union Territory on November 1, 1956, after the recommendation of the State Reorganisation Commission.
• On November 1, 1966, Kangra and most of the other hill parts of Punjab were merged with Himachal Pradesh, albeit its status remained that of a Union Territory.
• Later in 1970, Parliament passed the Himachal Pradesh Act. 
• Since then, Himachal Pradesh came into existence as a full-fledged state. 
• The official recognition of Himachal Pradesh as a state was provided on January 25, 1971.