Andhra Pradesh State, India

To gain an independent state based on linguistic identity, and to protect the interests of the Telugu people of Madras State, Potti Sreeramulu fasted to death in 1952. After his death, the Telugu‑speaking area of Andhra State was carved out of Madras State on 30 November 1953, with Kurnool as its capital city.

On the basis of the Gentlemen's Agreement of 1 November 1956, the States Reorganisation Act formed Andhra Pradesh by merging the Telugu‑speaking areas of Hyderabad State with Andhra State. The formation of Andhra Pradesh on 1 November 1956 marked a watershed moment: it was the first state created on the basis of language after independence, triggering a nationwide reorganisation of states.

Despite the States Reorganisation Commission's recommendation to keep Telangana separate for at least five years, the region was merged with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh. The merger was driven more by political machinations and the interests of Andhra leaders than by linguistic ethnicity.

The Gentlemen's Agreement was signed between the leaders of Telangana and Andhra before the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh. It was signed on 20 February 1956 at the Hyderabad House in Delhi. The agreement was signed by Bezawada Gopala Reddy (Chief Minister of Andhra State) and Burgula Ramakrishna Rao (Chief Minister of Hyderabad State) to go ahead with the merger.

The agreement included promises to safeguard Telangana's interests, including:
– A certain proportion of state funds would be channelled into developing the Telangana region.
– Local candidates would be given preference in government jobs (Mulki rules).
– Telangana would have a separate development board.
– Urdu would be one of the official languages of the state.

However, the agreement was widely seen as being violated in the following decades, leading to growing discontent in Telangana. The agreement is often cited as a major factor in the eventual demand for a separate Telangana state.

Andhra Pradesh consisted of three distinct cultural and geographical regions:

• Coastal Andhra: The coastal region along the Bay of Bengal, stretching from Srikakulam to Nellore. Historically the most economically developed region, with a strong agricultural base (rice, sugarcane, tobacco). It was the heartland of the Andhra movement.
• Rayalaseema: The southern inland region, bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Known for its arid climate and historical significance, with districts like Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Kurnool. It was the birthplace of many political leaders.
• Telangana: The northwestern region, formerly part of Hyderabad State. It had a distinct cultural identity, with Urdu and Telugu as administrative languages. The region was historically less developed but rich in resources, including the Godavari and Krishna rivers and the Singareni coal fields.

These three regions had distinct historical backgrounds, economic profiles, and cultural identities, which would later contribute to regional tensions and the demand for a separate Telangana state.

Andhra Pradesh was a federated state with Hyderabad as its capital. The state was governed by a Chief Minister and a Legislative Assembly.

• First Governor (1956–1957): Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi
• Last Governor (2009–2014): E. S. L. Narasimhan
• First Chief Minister (1956–1960): Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
• Last Chief Minister (2010–2014): Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy
• Area (until 2014): 275,039 km² (106,193 sq mi)
• Population: 84,665,533

The state had a High Court in Hyderabad, which served as the highest judicial authority for the united state.

The administration was divided into districts, with the three regions – Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, and Telangana – having varying levels of representation and development.

Andhra Pradesh had a total of 16 Chief Ministers during its 57-year existence.

• Agriculture: Andhra Pradesh was primarily an agricultural state, with rice (the "rice bowl of India"), sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, and groundnut as major crops. The Godavari and Krishna river systems provided vital irrigation.
• Industry: The state had significant industrial development, particularly in Hyderabad (IT, pharmaceuticals, and defence), Visakhapatnam (steel and shipbuilding), and the Singareni coal fields in Telangana.
• IT Boom: Hyderabad emerged as a global IT hub under the leadership of N. Chandrababu Naidu in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon establishing their presence in the city.
• Infrastructure: Major infrastructure projects included irrigation projects (Nagarguna Sagar, Srisailam), the Visakhapatnam Port, and the development of Hyderabad as a modern city.
• Regional Imbalance: Despite overall growth, there were significant regional disparities. Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema benefited more from development, while Telangana lagged behind, contributing to the demand for a separate state.

• Languages: Telugu was the official language of the state, with Urdu having a significant presence in Telangana. The state had a rich literary tradition, with Telugu being one of the classical languages of India.
• Religion: The state had a predominantly Hindu population, with significant Muslim and Christian minorities. The composite culture of Hyderabad was known as Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.
• Arts and Culture: Andhra Pradesh was known for its classical dance forms like Kuchipudi, rich temple architecture, and vibrant festivals. The state was home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal and the Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.
• Cuisine: The state was famous for Hyderabadi Biryani, a legacy of the Nizams, as well as Andhra cuisine known for its spicy flavours.

The movement for a separate Telangana state, carved out of the former Hyderabad state and later from Andhra Pradesh, spanned over six decades – from 1948, when Hyderabad state was merged into the Indian Union, to 2 June 2014, when Telangana became India's 29th state.

• 1969: Jai Telangana Movement: The first major agitation for a separate Telangana state. The movement was led by students and political leaders, demanding the implementation of the Gentlemen's Agreement and safeguards for Telangana.
• 1970s–2000s: The movement continued intermittently, with various political parties and organisations demanding statehood for Telangana. The demand was often suppressed but never fully resolved.
• 2009: Announcement of Statehood: On 9 December 2009, the Union government announced the process of creating Telangana, sparking intense debate and protests from both sides.
• 2010–2014: Intense Debate and Legislative Process: The Andhra Pradesh Assembly rejected the bifurcation bill in January 2014, but the Central government pushed forward. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on 18 February 2014 and in the Rajya Sabha on 20 February 2014.

On 2 June 2014, Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated into two states – Telangana and the residuary Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, provided that Hyderabad would serve as the capital of Telangana while also acting as the temporary capital of the residuary Andhra Pradesh for up to ten years.

The bifurcation marked the end of an era for a state that remained united for close to 57 years. The decision was described as the "most difficult decision" of the then UPA government.

Legacy:

• The creation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956 was a landmark in India's linguistic reorganisation, setting a precedent for the formation of states on linguistic lines.
• The state's 57-year history witnessed significant economic growth, cultural development, and political evolution.
• The bifurcation in 2014 was seen by some as a correction of a historical wrong, while others viewed it as a loss of the vision of a united Telugu state.
• Hyderabad, the shared capital, remains a symbol of the complex relationship between the two successor states.

• 19 October 1952: Potti Sreeramulu begins fast unto death for a separate Telugu state.
• 15 December 1952: Potti Sreeramulu dies after 58 days of fasting.
• 1 October 1953: Andhra State formed with Kurnool as its capital.
• 20 February 1956: Gentlemen's Agreement signed between Andhra and Telangana leaders.
• 1 November 1956: Andhra Pradesh formed by merging Andhra State with Telangana region of Hyderabad State.
• 1969: Jai Telangana movement for a separate state.
• 9 December 2009: Union government announces the creation of Telangana.
• 18 February 2014: Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill passed in Lok Sabha.
• 20 February 2014: Bill passed in Rajya Sabha.
• 2 June 2014: Telangana formed as India's 29th state; Andhra Pradesh bifurcated.