About | India State Stories

Genesis

India’s Constitution defines the country as a union of states. However, none of the states within India’s current boundaries existed in the same form in 1950. Neither the colonial map of India (see for instance 1861) nor administrative divisions in 1951 (following Independence and the integration of princely states) bear a close resemblance to the modern states and districts of India. For example, understanding Karnataka’s administrative history requires piecing together regions like Mysore, the Bombay Presidency, and the Madras Presidency, and the recommendations of the State Reorganization Committee.

India’s political and administrative boundaries have been in a constant state of flux, making their study and governance particularly complex. Despite this, there is no comprehensive record or manual that systematically tracks boundary changes or the political and administrative history behind them.

The genesis of this project in mid-2023 stemmed from a desire to address a significant gap in the study of India's political administrative history. While existing research often adopts a qualitative approach, it tends to either focus on overly broad perspectives that miss critical details or narrow studies that lack wider applicability. In contrast, this project takes a quantitative and granular approach to document the evolution of India’s political and administrative boundaries, providing a more comprehensive resource for understanding these changes.

The project has created a spatial and temporal database that reconstructs the boundaries of Indian states and districts from 1872 to 2024, offering invaluable tools for historical analysis and research. In the first phase we are showcasing India's political and administrative journey from 1951 to present!

A project as novel as this was not without its fair share of challenges. To know more on this and how the tools were developed, click below to read more.

A.map of Hindoostan. First modern map of full India - 1782

Important Disclaimer!

The content on this website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, we cannot guarantee it is entirely error-free or up-to-date. Any use of the data, materials, or resources from this website should be properly acknowledged and credited. By using this website, you agree to assume full responsibility for how you use the information and to respect copyright and intellectual property rights. Maps: Administrative maps of India (at the provincial/state and district levels) from 1872–2001 have been digitized from the Administrative Atlas of India (Census of India Publications). India’s external boundary has been set according to the Government of India norms. While utmost care has been taken to ensure accuracy, errors in digitization may persist in administrative boundaries and labeling. These maps are for representative purposes and may not achieve high spatial accuracy. Please use them with caution. Text Content: The articles and blogs on this website, such as the state story blogs, have been meticulously curated by the authors and the team through extensive study of historical sources, books, articles, and maps. While we have not been able to provide inline citations or links for every story, a comprehensive list of sources will be provided in due course of time. District Data: The district evolution database—covering district splits, carve-outs, new districts, and name changes—has been created by mapping district transitions over time and verifying them through government and publicly available sources. Due to the rapid pace of district creation and renaming, the data may not always be fully updated. Given the complexity of this task, some errors may have occurred. Feedback on these errors is highly appreciated. Images: Most images, including those of prominent personalities, are sourced from the public domain. Some images have been extracted from books and publicly available reports, such as the White Paper on Indian States. If you notice any mistakes or inaccuracies in the data or maps, we encourage you to write to us. We are committed to rectifying errors at the earliest. We also welcome readers' inputs on the political and social histories of district creation and renaming. Your comments and suggestions are invaluable to us.

India State Stories: The Process

About the logo

The inspiration for the logo stems from Indian postage stamps—a perfect symbol for a project about India's evolution. Postage stamps, with their diverse and intricate graphics, offer a window into the nation's history, culture, and growth over time. They also represent the postal codes that connect every corner of the country, mirroring our vision of bringing you stories from all across India. Within the classic framework of a stamp, the logo weaves in various icons and symbols that beautifully capture the essence and diversity of India.

Created by: Megha Ramachandra