Explanations:Chandigarh is a unique city in India, serving as the capital of two states: Punjab and Haryana. It is a union territory, which means it is directly governed by the central government of India. This arrangement was established after the partition of India in 1947, when Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan. The city of Lahore, which was the capital of Punjab before partition, became part of Pakistan. As a result, a new capital was needed for the Indian state of Punjab, and Chandigarh was chosen for this purpose.
Chandigarh is not part of either Punjab or Haryana; it is a union territory, which means it has a special status and is not governed by the state governments of Punjab or Haryana. This unique arrangement is designed to avoid any potential disputes between the two states over the capital city. The city was designed by the French architect Le Corbusier and is known for its modernist architecture and urban planning.
It is important to note that while Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab, it is not located within the state boundaries of Punjab. This can be a source of confusion for students who might expect the capital to be within the state it governs. However, the arrangement of Chandigarh as a shared capital and union territory is a specific and important aspect of Indian geography and political organization.
Understanding the unique status of Chandigarh as a union territory and its role as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana is crucial for students studying Indian geography and political organization. This knowledge is often tested in various competitive examinations, including the UPSC, SSC, and state PSC exams, where questions about state capitals and union territories are common.