Explanations:The reorganization of Indian states in 1960 was a significant event in the history of India, particularly in the context of linguistic states. The state of Bombay, which was a bilingual state with a majority of Marathi-speaking people in the western part and Gujarati-speaking people in the eastern part, was divided into two separate states: Maharashtra and Gujarat. This division was based on the linguistic principle, which aimed to create states that would better represent the cultural and linguistic identities of their inhabitants.
The decision to split the state of Bombay was made by the States Reorganisation Commission, which was established in 1953 to recommend the reorganization of states based on linguistic lines. The commission's recommendations were implemented in 1956, but the division of the Bombay state was delayed due to political and administrative complexities. Finally, in 1960, the Bombay state was officially split into Maharashtra and Gujarat.
After the division, the city of Mumbai, which was the capital of the Bombay state, was assigned to Maharashtra. This decision was made based on the fact that Mumbai had a predominantly Marathi-speaking population and was historically and culturally connected to the Marathi-speaking region. The city of Ahmedabad, which had a predominantly Gujarati-speaking population, became the capital of Gujarat.
Understanding the reorganization of states in India is crucial for students preparing for competitive examinations, as it is a significant part of Indian history and geography. The division of the Bombay state into Maharashtra and Gujarat is a prime example of how linguistic and cultural factors played a role in the formation of modern Indian states.