After integrating the princely states, the next challenge was internal: How to govern such a vast, diverse territory? Initially, India retained the British-era provinces. But people began demanding states based on their mother tongue.

A: This is a 6-mark question. While the Naga People's Convention signed a 16-point agreement (1960) creating Nagaland state (1963), separatist groups (NSCN-IM) continued demanding sovereignty.

The Parliament passed the States Reorganisation Act in 1956 , leading to the creation of 14 states and 6 union territories . Subsequent Reorganizations The process of drawing boundaries did not stop in 1956:

The British left behind an impoverished, agrarian economy with stagnant industries and deep social inequality.