Explanation: Chandigarh is a unique city in India, serving as the capital of two states: Punjab and Haryana. This arrangement is a result of the partition of India in 1947 and the subsequent reorganization of states. Prior to the partition, the city of Lahore was the capital of Punjab, but after the partition, it became part of Pakistan. As a result, a new capital was needed for the Indian state of Punjab. Chandigarh was chosen as the new capital and was designed by the French architect Le Corbusier.
In 1966, when the state of Haryana was carved out of Punjab, Chandigarh was retained as the capital for both states. This arrangement was made to avoid the need for Haryana to build a new capital city. Chandigarh is a union territory, which means it is directly governed by the central government of India and is not part of either Punjab or Haryana. However, it functions as the administrative capital for both states.
The unique status of Chandigarh as a joint capital is an important aspect of Indian geography and political administration. It is a testament to the complex history and political landscape of India, particularly in the northern region. Understanding this concept is crucial for students preparing for competitive examinations, as it often appears in questions related to state capitals and administrative divisions.
In summary, Chandigarh is the correct answer because it is the only city that serves as the capital for both Punjab and Haryana, making it a unique example of joint administration in India. The other options, Chennai, Shimla, and Hyderabad, are the capitals of different states and do not serve as joint capitals for Punjab and Haryana.