Bilaspur State (1950–1954)

Bilaspur State was a state of India from 1950 to 1954 with Bilaspur town as its capital. The state was established after the province of the same name created in 1948[3] from the princely state of Bilaspur.

For places with similar names, see Bilaspur.
For the pre-independence princely state, see Bilaspur State (princely state).

Bilaspur State
Former state
1950–1954
Etymology: from a Fisher-woman named “Bilasa”[1]
The map of India showing Bilaspur State
Location of Bilaspur State in India
Coordinates: 31.33°N 76.75°E / 31.33; 76.75
Country India
RegionNorth India
Before wasKahlur
Formation1950
Consolidation1954
Capital
and largest city		Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
Government
 • Chief minister
• 1948 - 1950
Anand Chand
• 1950 - 1952
K.S. Himmatsinhji
Area
 • Total1,401 km2 (541 sq mi)
Population
 (1951)
 • Total126,099[2]
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Kahlur
Himachal Pradesh

The 31st state of Bilaspur, which had been until then a separate entity under the control of the Chief Commissioner, was integrated with Himachal Pradesh on 1 July 1954 thereby adding one more district to the state.

The main reason why Bilaspur was made a separate state, instead of being merged with Himachal Pradesh from the beginning, was because of the ongoing construction of the Bhakra Dam in the area. This was expected to cause extensive flooding that would displace a lot of people, who would then need to receive compensation as well as be relocated. The central government wanted to have Bilaspur as a separate state so that they could deal with these matters separately instead of being subsumed under Himachal Pradesh.[4]

History

Bilaspur State was formed out of the territory of former Princely State of Bilaspur, which became part of the Dominion of India on 12 October 1948 by the accession of its erstwhile Ruler, Raja Anand Chand of the Princely State of Kahlur a.k.a. Bilaspur.

Bilaspur was a Province, until it was established as a Class "C" State, named Bilaspur State on 26 January 1950 within the Republic of India. Class "C" States were under the direct rule of the Central Government.[3][5]

Disestablishment

After 'The Himachal Pradesh and Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954' was passed[6] by an act of Parliament Bilaspur State was dissolved on 1 July 1954 and incorporated into the State of Himachal Pradesh as Bilaspur district, with an area of 106,848 hectares.[3][7]

Himachal Pradesh State was another part-C state under a Lt. Governor. Initially it had a 36-member Legislative Assembly and the first elections to the Assembly had been held in 1952. In 1954, when Bilaspur was merged with Himachal Pradesh, the strength of its Assembly was raised to 41.[8]

Commissioners of Bilaspur State
  1. Raja Anand Chand from October 1948 to April 1949.[3][5]
  2. Shrichand Chhabra, from April 1949 to November 1953
  3. M.S. Himmatsinhji, from November 1953 to July 1954[3]

Chief Minister
  • Anand Chand - 1948 - 1950
  • K.S. Himmatsinhji - 1950 - 1952

See also

References
  1. "History | District Bilaspur | India". Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  2. "Census of India 1951 - Bilaspur State" (PDF). 1952. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  3. Bilaspur State : Chief Commissioners
  4. Mamgain, M.D. (1975). Himachal Pradesh District Gazetteers: Bilaspur. p. 1. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  5. Social, cultural, and economic history of Himachal Pradesh By Manjit Singh Ahluwalia
  6. The Himachal Pradesh and Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954
  7. Bilaspur History Archived 20 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "1 Vidhan Sabha". Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
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