How were the States formed and how has the Indian map changed since 1947?
A concise overview of how India's internal boundaries evolved since 1947, including princely states, linguistic reorganisation, NE identity reforms, and 2019 J&K/Ladakh.
The last transformation of the Indian map happened in 2019 with the creation of the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh
Updated - November 01, 2026 09:26 am IST
File photo of a 1955 conference of Chief Ministers to discuss the recommendations of the States Reorganisation Commission. THE HINDU PHOTO ARCHIVES
The story so far: On the “appointed day”, as Independence Day was referred to in the Indian Independence Act, 1947, British paramountcy lapsed in India, leading to the formation of two independent dominions- India and Pakistan. Pre-independence India consisted of state units, provinces and more than 550 scattered princely states. Nearly 114 of these, through the Instrument of Accession, had already joined India before August 15. The rest had the choice of joining either India or Pakistan, with most deciding to accede to the former.
From then to now, as India completes 79 years of independence and has 28 States and eight Union Territories, the internal boundaries of the country have undergone several changes with States being reorganised in multiple phases, with different factors behind the redrawing of the map.
Published - August 14, 2022 10:48 pm IST
India at 75 / Independence Day / The Hindu Explains
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