1948–1954 → 1931 100,994 | 1931 1,160 km (448 sq mi) Today part of Himachal Pradesh | |
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Bilaspur State was a state within the Union of India from 1950 to 1956 with Bilaspur town as its capital. The state was established after the province of the same name created in 1948.
Contents
The 31st state of Bilaspur, which had been till 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.
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.
Disestablishment
After 'The Himachal Pradesh and Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954' was passed 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.
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.
Commissioners of Bilaspur State
H.H.Raja Sir Anand Chand KCIE,MP,MLA., Former Ruler of Bilaspur. Member Constituent Assembly of India (1947–48), Member First Lok Sabha (1952-1957), Member Rajya Sabha (1958-1970), Member of Legislative Assembly (Himachal Pradesh) (1977-1982); also First Chief Commissioner of the Chief Commissioner's State of Bilaspur (October 1948-2 April 1949).
- M.S. Himmatsinhji, Chief Commissioner from 1950–52
- Chief Commissioner from 1952–54.