Telangana achieved the status of a full fledged state in the Union of India on 2 nd June, 2014, after a long struggle of Telangana people for the sake of Water, Funds and Employment. In this chapter, we will read about this process.

1.You or your family members may have seen or even participated in this movement. Discuss your experiences in the class. What do you think were the main reasons behind the demand for a separate state of Telangana?
2.Make a list of important persons that your parents and teachers remember. Make a poster or wall newspaper for your classroom showing their contribution to the formation of Telangana state.

During the last phase of India’s freedom movement, Hyderabad state or the Nizam’s dominion came into focus of attention. The Nizam was contemplating the formation of an independent state under his rule when the British left India. The nationalists of Hyderabad state were against this. 8 districts out of 16 districts of Hyderabad state consisted of Telugu speaking people. These parts came to be called Telangana. Nationalists from Hyderabad spread into villages and began a campaign for promotion of education in Telugu language, a democratic form of government and social equality. In the nineteen twenties and thirties, Andhra Mahasabha emerged to promote this cause. Nationalists from Coastal Andhra also supported this movement in the nineteen forties. Soon, the movement also took up issues relating to land reforms and opposed the rule of Doras who had the support of the Nizam and the Razakars. In view of this internal strife, the Government of India, under Jawaharlal Nehru’s Prime Ministriship,