The formation of Haryana as a separate state on 1 November 1966 is one of the most important topics in Haryana General Knowledge for HTET. This event marked the culmination of a long movement by Hindi-speaking people of erstwhile Punjab for a distinct state based on linguistic identity. Understanding the political background, key personalities, commissions involved, and the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966 is essential.
Questions frequently appear on dates, key leaders of the movement, recommendations of the Shah Commission, and the administrative arrangements made during the reorganisation. Students must remember the specific territorial divisions, the arrangement for Chandigarh as a shared capital, and the notable figures who championed the cause of a separate Haryana.
Key Concepts
**Linguistic basis of demand**: The demand for Haryana arose from the desire of Hindi-speaking people in the Punjab region to have a separate state, distinct from Punjabi-speaking areas where the Punjabi Suba movement sought a Punjabi-majority state.
**Punjabi Suba Movement**: Led primarily by the Akali Dal, this movement demanded a Punjabi-speaking state. Its success indirectly led to the creation of Haryana as the Hindi-speaking areas were carved out.
**States Reorganisation Commission (1953-55)**: This commission under Fazal Ali rejected the demand for a separate Punjabi Suba, but the issue remained alive, eventually leading to further reorganisation in 1966.
**Shah Commission (1966)**: Headed by Justice J.C. Shah, this commission was appointed to recommend the boundaries of the new states. It determined which areas would go to Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
**Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966**: The Act of Parliament that legally created Haryana, reorganised Punjab, and transferred certain hill areas to Himachal Pradesh. It came into effect on 1 November 1966.
**Chandigarh as Union Territory**: Since Chandigarh was the capital of undivided Punjab and fell on the border, it was made a Union Territory to serve as the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana.
**First Chief Minister**: Bhagwat Dayal Sharma became the first Chief Minister of Haryana, and Dharma Vira served as the first Governor.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail | |------|--------| | Date of formation | 1 November 1966 (celebrated as Haryana Day) | | Legal basis | Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 (Act No. 31 of 1966) | | Commission for boundaries | Shah Commission (Justice J.C. Shah) | | First Chief Minister | Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma | | First Governor | Dharma Vira | | Capital | Chandigarh (shared with Punjab as Union Territory) | | Districts at formation | 7 districts (Ambala, Rohtak, Gurgaon, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Hisar, Jind) | | Areas transferred to HP | Kangra, Kulu, Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla hills, Nalagarh, Una | | Leader of Haryana movement | Ch. Devi Lal, Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma among others |
**Key dates to remember**:
1948: PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union) formed
1956: PEPSU merged into Punjab
23 April 1966: Parliament passes Punjab Reorganisation Act
31 May 1966: Shah Commission submits report
1 November 1966: Haryana comes into existence
Worked Examples
**Example 1**: *Which commission recommended the boundaries between Punjab and Haryana?*
**Solution**: The Shah Commission, headed by Justice J.C. Shah of the Supreme Court, was appointed in April 1966 to demarcate boundaries. It submitted its report on 31 May 1966, recommending which tehsils and districts would form Haryana, which would remain in Punjab, and which would go to Himachal Pradesh.
**Answer**: Shah Commission (Justice J.C. Shah)
---
**Example 2**: *Why was Chandigarh made a Union Territory instead of being given to either state?*
**Solution**: Chandigarh was the planned capital of undivided Punjab built after Lahore went to Pakistan in 1947. During reorganisation, both Punjab and Haryana claimed Chandigarh. The Shah Commission noted that Chandigarh was geographically contiguous to both states and had mixed population. To avoid conflict, it was made a Union Territory under central administration, serving as the joint capital of both states. The arrangement was meant to be temporary until a new capital could be built for one of the states.
**Answer**: To serve as shared capital for both Punjab and Haryana, avoiding territorial dispute, as a temporary arrangement.
---
**Example 3**: *How many districts did Haryana have at the time of formation?*
**Solution**: At formation, Haryana had 7 districts: Ambala, Rohtak, Gurgaon (now Gurugram), Karnal, Mahendragarh, Hisar, and Jind. Over the decades, new districts have been carved out, and Haryana now has 22 districts.
**Answer**: 7 districts
Common Mistakes
**Confusing 1956 with 1966**: The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 reorganised states across India but did not create Haryana. Haryana was created by the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966. Remember: 1956 = national reorganisation; 1966 = Punjab trifurcation.
**Attributing the movement solely to one leader**: Students sometimes credit only Ch. Devi Lal or only Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma. The movement had multiple leaders and organisations, including the Haryana Lok Samiti. Avoid naming just one person as "the" leader.
**Thinking Shah Commission created Haryana**: The Shah Commission only recommended boundaries. The actual creation was done through the Punjab Reorganisation Act passed by Parliament. Commission recommends; Parliament legislates.
**Forgetting areas that went to Himachal Pradesh**: The 1966 reorganisation was a three-way division. Hill areas like Kangra, Kulu, Shimla hills, and Una went to Himachal Pradesh, not just a Punjab-Haryana split.
**Wrong first Chief Minister**: Some confuse Bansi Lal (a later prominent CM) with the first CM. The first Chief Minister was Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma, who served from 1966 to 1967.
Quick Reference
**Haryana Day**: 1 November (since 1966)
**Act**: Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966
**Boundary Commission**: Shah Commission (Justice J.C. Shah)