Contents of the Chapter:

• Andhra Pradesh
• Karnataka
• Bihar
• Kerala
• Chhattisgarh
• Manipur
• Himachal Pradesh
• Meghalaya
• Jammu & Kashmir
• MCQs for Final Practice

STATES

Andhra Pradesh

• The earliest mention of the Andhras is said to be in Aitereya Brahmana (2000 BC).

• Forests cover 23 per cent of the State's area. Important forest products are teak, eucalyptus, cashew, casurina, bamboo, softwood, etc.

• Andhra Pradesh is well known globally for variety of rocks and minerals and is called Ratna Grabha. Andhra Pradesh has the largest deposits of quality chrysolite asbestos in the country. Other important minerals found in the state are copper ore, manganese, mica, coal and limestone.

• AP ranks 4th at National level in IT performance.

• Andhra Pradesh is historically called the Rice Bowl of India. The state has a large river system which supplements the rainfall in the state.lt is one of the few states in the country blessed with riverine geography.

• Agriculture is the main occupation of about 62 per cent of the people in Andhra Pradesh. Rice is a major food crop and staple food of the State contributing about 77 per cent of the foodgrain production. Other important crops are jowar, bajra, maize.

• Important power projects in the State are : the Nagarjunasagar and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Sagar (Srisailam Hydel Project), Upper Sileru, Lower Sileru, Tungabhadra Hydel projects and Nellore, Ramagundam, Kothagudem, Vijayawada and Muddanur thermal power projects.

• Andhra Pradesh is well known globally for variety of rocks and minerals and is called Ratna Garbha. Andhra Pradesh has the largest deposits of quality chrysolite asbestos in the country. Other important minerals found in the state are copper ore, manganese, mica, coal and limestone. The Singareni Coal Mines supply coal to the entire South India. The mineral consumption is increasing due to promotion of various industries and manufacture of mineral based products.

Arunachal Pradesh

• Arunachal Pradesh, became a full-fledged State on February 20, 1987. Till 1972, it was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). It gained the Union Territory status on January 20, 1972 and renamed as Arunachal Pradesh. Animal sacrifice is a common ritual in most festivals.

• Arunachal Pradesh finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharata. This place is the Prabhu Mountains of the Puranas.

• For conservation and exploration of the vast minerals the Arunachal Pradesh Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Limited (APMDTCL) was set up in 1991. Namchik-Namphukcoal fields are taken up by APMDTCL.

• To provide training to craftsmen in different trades there are two Industrial Training Institutes at Roing and Daporijo.

Assam

• Assam was known as Pragjyotisha or the place of eastern astronomy during the epic period and later named as Kamrupa. The earliest epigraphic reference to the kingdom of Kamrupa is found in the Allahabad pillar inscription of king Samudragupta. Kamrupa is mentioned as a Pratyanta or frontier state outside the Gupta empire but with friendfy and subordinate relation to it-

• Assam is known for her rich forest wealth which constitutes 26.22 per cent of the total forest area.

• Assam has an exclusive range of colourful festivals. Bihu is the chief festival celebrated on three occasions. Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu marks the advent of the cropping season and it also ushers in the Assamese New Year. Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu is the harvest festival and Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu coming in autumn is a simple affair. .

• Assam is an agricultural State. Agriculture occupies an important place in the economy of the State. The principal food crop is rice. The cash crops are jute, tea, cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane, potato, etc. Noteworthy horticulture items are orange, banana, pineapple.

• There are six industrial growth centres in the State and two such centres are being set up at Balipara and Matia. Presently four oil refineries have been working in the State including the one at Digboi. Construction of the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) at Amingaon near Guwahati is nesting completion. A Software Technology Park will be constructed at Borjhar near Guwahati. A Central Institute for Plastic Engineering Technology (CIPET) has been established at Amingaon near Guwahati.

Bihar

• Bihar finds mention in the Vedas, Puranas, epics, etc., and was the main scene of activities of Buddha, and the 24 Jain Tirthankars. Great rulers of the State before the Christian era were Bimbisar, .udayin, who founded the city of Pataliputra.

• Major Industries are : Railway Wagon Plants of Bharat Wagon Limited at Muzaffarpur and Mokamah; Oil Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation at Barauni; Fertilizer Manufacturing Plant of Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited (HPCL) at Barauni and Pyrites Phosphates & Chemicals Limited (PPCL) at Amjhor; Cotton Spinning Mills at Siwan, Pandaul, Bhagalpur, Mokamah and Gaya.

• Important places of tourist interest are Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Pawapuri (where Lord Mahavira breathed his last and attained Nirvana). Bodh Gaya. Vikramshila (ruins of Buddhist University of higher learning), Gaya, Patna (ancient city of Patliputra), Sasaram (tomb of Shershah Suri) and Madhubani (known for its famous Madhubani Paintings).

• Mundeshwari Mandir (Kaimur), Rohtras Garh Fort (Rohtas), Jain Pilgrim Place, Kundalpur (Nalanda), Bihar School of Yoga (Munger), Manersharif Patna, Rural Tourist Place Nepura (Nalanda), Kesaria Stupa (West Champaran), Barabar Hills (Jehanabad) and Lauria Nandangarh are also important tourist places.

Chhattisgarh

• Chhattisgarh, carved out of Madhya Pradesh, came into being on 1 November 2000 as the 26th State of the Union, It fulfills the long-cherished demand of the people. In ancient times the region was known as Dakshin-Kausal.

• Areawise Chhattisgarh is the ninth largest state and population-wise it is seventeenth state of the nation.

• Large deposits of coal, iron ore, limestone, bauxite, dolomite and tin ore are. located in several parts of the state. Twenty per cent of the country's steel and cement is produced in the state. It is the only tin ore producing state in the country.

• Chhattisgarh produces 15 per cent of the steel made in the country.

• All citizen services of e-governance are under one umbrella project called CHOICE (Chhattisgarh On-line Information for Citizens Empowerment).

Goa

• On 30 May 1987, Goa was conferred statehood and Daman and Diu was made a separate union territory.

• Goa is situated on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula. On its north runs the Terekhol river which separates Goa from Maharashtra and on the south lies North Canara district of Karnataka. On the east lie the Western Ghats and in the west the Arabian Sea, Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Ponda are the main towns of Goa.

• "Jalkund" a special project for rainwater harvesting was also launched.

• Fish assumes special significance for the State as 90% of the population of Goa is fish dietarian. Fisheries is an important industry in the state providing employment and livelihood to around 1.00 lakh people.

Gujarat

• With the re-organisation of the States, the Union of the States of Saurshtra and the Union Teritory of Kachchh along with the former British Gujarat, became a part of the biggest bilingual State of Bombay. The present State of Gujarat came into being on 1 May 1960.

• The total installed capacity for the state including centra! sector project has increased to 9827 MW as on 31 March 2008. All the 18066 villages have been covered under the scheme Jyoti Gram Yojana of Gujarat State Government.

• Gujarat is the main producerof cotton, groundnut and tobacco in the country and provides inputs for important industries like textiles, oil and soap.

• Gujarat has 41 minor and intermediate ports and one major port is Kandla port.

Haryana

• Haryana has a proud history going back to the Vedic Age. The state was the home • of the legendary Bharata dynasty, which has given the name Bharat to India, Haryana finds mention in the great epic, of Mahabharata.

• Haryana thus became a part of the Punjab province. With the reorganisation of Punjab on 1 November 1966, Haryana was made into a full-fledged state.

• Haryana is the first state to have implemented its State Wide Area Network (ADHAAR) for voice, data and video transmission. The SWAN vertical connectivity at State Nefwork Management Centre, District Network Management Centre (DNMC) Block Network Management Centre (BNMC) has been completed and made operational.

• Haryana is among the beneficiaries of the multipurpose Sutlej Beas project, sharing, benefits with Punjab and Rajasthan.

• Haryana today is the largest producer of passenger cars, tractors, motorcycles, bicycles, refrigerators, scientific instruments, etc. Besides, it is the largest exporter of basmati rice. Panipat handlooms and carpets are known all over world besides its lip-ticking Panchranga Achaar.

• Haryana is the first state to have implemented its State-wide Area Network (SWAN) at the cost of Rs 102.62 crore for voice, data and video transmission.

Himachal Pradesh

• Himachal situated in the heart of the Western Himalaya, identified as "Dev Bhumi", is believed to be the abode of Gods and Goddesses. The entire State is punctuated with stone as well as wood temples.

• Himachal Pradesh came into being as a Union Territory in April 1948 as a result of integration of 30 princely states spread over 27,000 sq.km. in 1954, when another "C" class state of Bilaspur merged in Himachal Pradesh,its area increased to 28,241 sq.krn. The position remained unchanged till 1966. On reorganisation of the State, the hilly areas of Punjab were merged with the State, increasing its size to 55,673 sq.km.

• Himachal Pradesh has immense hydro-potential in its five river basins. Chenab, Rabi, Beas, Satluj and Yamuna which emanates from the western Himalayas pass through the State.

• The State is speedily moving towards becoming a "Power State" of the Country. All the census villages in the State have been electrified and now left out hamlets are being covered.

Jammu and Kashmir

• The State was governed by Dogra rulers till 1947 when Maharaja Hari Singh. signed the Instrument of Accession in favour of the Indian Union on 26 October 1947.

• Commissioning of Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport at Srinagar has opened the new vistas for enhancing connectivity at international level which will inturn facilitate international tourism, promote international trade especially export which will provide a big push to the economy and generate avenues of better employment.

• One of the landmark achievements of floriculture department has been the establishment of Tulip Garden. Situated on the foothills of the mighty Zabarwan mountains, the garden has the distinction of being Asia's largest Tulip garden.

• The State is connected to the rest of the country through just one highway (NH1A), 400 km stretch (approx) maintained by Border Roads Organization (BRO) of India.

• Out of the three, Srinagar airport has been upgraded as international airport named as Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport, whiie the facilities at Jammu and Leh airports are also being upgraded. One more airport at Kargil headquarters is connected by Dakota service.

• Agriculture constitutes an important sector of the state economy as around 70% of the population of J&K derive greater part of their income directly or indirectly from this sector.

Jharkhand

• Jharkhand which carne into being on 15 November 2000 as the 28th State of the Union is the homeland of the tribals who had dreamed of a separate state for a long time.

• In post-Independence era, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha started a regular agitation which impelled the government to establish the Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council in 1995 and finally a full-fledged State.

• Damodar, Maurakshi, Barakar, North Koyel, South Koyel, Sankh, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, and Ajay are major water resources in the State. The net sown area is 1.8 million hectares of which 8 per cent is irrigated.

• Some of Jharkhand's major industries are: Bokaro Steel Plant in the public sector, Tata Iron and Steel Company (TlSCO)in Jamshedpur in the private sector. Other important industries are Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO), Tim-ken India Limited Uarnshedpur), Bharat Coking Limited (Dhanbad), Khilari Cement Factory (Palamu), Indian Aluminum CMuri). ACC cement (Chaibsa), Central Coalfields Limited (Ranchi), Usha Martin, Usha Beltron, Uranium Corporation CD Limited (Jadugora).

• The State is rich in mineral resources. The important available minerals are coal, iron ore, lime stone, copper ore, bauxite, pyrite, china clay, kyanite, fine clay, dolomite, graphite, bentonite, soap stone, quartz sand and silica sand.

Karnataka

• The world renowned Gomateshwara monolith at Sharavanabelagola was installed by a Ganga minister Chavundaraya. The colossal rock cut image of Sri Gometeshwara is the most magnificient among all Jaina works of art. Numerous visitors arrive at Shravanbelagola to gaze at this and other monuments.

• The Chaiukyas of Badami (500-735 ADJ reigned over a wider area, from the Narmada to the Kaveri from the days of Pulikeshi II (609-642 AD) who even defeated the mighty Harshavardhana of Kanauj.

• After Independence, the Mysore State was created in 1953, wherein all the Kannada dominant areas under different dispensations were unified and the enlarged Mysore state carved in 1956 and was renamed Karnataka in 1973.

• After Independence, the Mysore State was created in 1953, wherein all the Kannada dominant areas under different dispensations were unified and the enlarged Mysore state carved in 1956 and was renamed Karnat aka in 1973.

• Karnataka is one of the major milk producers and the Karnataka Milk Federation has 21 dairy processing plants with a capacity of 26.45 lakh litres a day and 42 chilling centres having 14.60 lakh litres of chilling capacity.

• Country's First Green Field International Airport has been set up at Devanahalli nearBangaluruat a cost of Rs. 2000 crores as a passenger and Cargo hub under Public Private Partnership and has started functioning from 28th May, 2008.

• The Government has also planned to develop airports at Shimoga and Gulbarga on PPP basis.

Kerala

• Kerala is in the extreme south-west of the Indian subcontinent. When independent India amalgamated smalls states together, Travancore and Cochin states were integrated to form Travancore-Cochin State on 1 July 1949. However, Malabar remained under the Madras province. Under the State's Re-organisation Act 1956, Travancore-Cochin state and Malabar were united to form Kerala state on 1 November 1956.

• The Government of Kerala has drawn up an investment promotion programme named as Kerala Local Industry Promotion Programme (KLIPP) under the banner name of PRATHYASA through District Industries Centre.

• Kerala has been selected as the second best state in India in implementation of e-governance. FRIENDS (Fast Reliable Instant Efficient Network for disbursement Service) is a "Single Window Mechanism" where citizens have the opportunity to pay all taxes and other financial dues to the Government.

• Kerala has a substantial share in the four plantation crops of rubber, coffee, tea and cardamom,

• Onam is the most typical of Kerala festivals which coincides with the harvestseason.lt is now celebrated on astronomical New Year Day.

Meghalaya

• Meghalaya was created as an autonomous State within the State of Assam on 2 April 1970. The full-fledged State of Meghalaya came into existence on 21 January 1972. It is bound on the north and east by Assam and on the south and west by Bangladesh.

• A few of them are Ward's Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Polo Ground, Mini Zoo, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak overlooking the city and the Golf Course which is one of the best in the country.

• Meghalaya, literally means 'the Abode of Clouds' is essentially a hitly state.

• Besides major food crops of rice and maize, Meghalaya is renowned for its orange (Khasi Mandarian), pine'apples, bananas, jackfruit, temperate fruits like plum, pear and peach, etc.

Madhya Pradesh

• Madhya Pradesh came into being on 1 November 1956. It was reorganised on 1 November 2000 to create a new Chhattisgarh state.
• The State is famous for its traditional handicrafts and handloom cloth manufactured in Chanderi and Maheshwar.
• The Government of India has set up a Special Economic Zone at Indore.
• Madhya Pradesh is a mineral rich state.
• The State is famous for its traditional handicrafts and handloom cloth manufactured in Chanderi and Maheshwar.
• An important tribal festival is Bhagoriya marked by traditional gaiety and enthusiasm.'

Maharashtra

• The administrative evolution of the state of Maharashtra is the outcome of the linguistic reorganisation of the States of India, effected on 1 May 1960.
• The State was formed by bringing together all contiguous Marathi-speaking areas, which previously belonged to four different administrative hegemonies,
• The State has been identified as the country's powerhouse and Mumbai, its capital as the centre point of India's financial and commercial markets.

Manipur

• Manipur became a full-fledged State on the 21st January, 1972 with a Legislative Assembly of 60 members of whom 19 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and one for Scheduled Castes.

• The other area already declared as protected areas besides Keibul Lamjao National Park is the Yangoupokpi—Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 184.40 sq. kms. It is situated at Chandel District and is located on the Indo-Malayan Zoogeographical Zone. The Malayan sun bear is found in this wildlife sanctuary.

• Important festivals of the State are: Lai Haraoba, Rasa Leela, Cheiraoba, Ningol Chak-Kouba, Rath-Jatra, Idul Fitre, Imoinu Iratpa, Gaan-Ngai, Lui-Ngai-Ni, Idul Zuha. Yaoshang (Holi), Durga Pujan, Mera Houchongba. Diwali, Kut, Christmas, etc.

Mizoram

• Mizoram is a mountainous region which became the 23rd state of the Indian Union in February 1987.

• With the implementation of the North-Eastern Reorganisation Act in 1972, Mizoram bacame a Union Territory and as a sequel to the signing of the historic memorandum of settlement between the Government of India and the Mizo National Front in 1986, it was granted statehood on 20 February 1987.

Nagaland

• Nagaland, the 16th State of the Indian Union, was established on 1 December 1963. It is bound by Myanmar on the East, Arunachal on the North, Assam on the West and Manipur on the South.
• Mount Saramati is the highest peak in Nagaland with a height of 3,840 metres and its range forms a natural barrier between Nagaland and Myanmar.
• The major-recognised tribes of Nagaiand are Angami, Ao, Chakhesang. Chang, Khiamniungan, Kuki, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Yimchungru and Zeiiang.

• There are wild life sanctuaries and national parks, namely, In^anki and Puliebadze in Kohirna District. Fakim in Tuensang and Rangapahar in Dimapur.

• Nagaland is basically a land of agriculture. About 70 per cent of the population depends on agriculture.

• The major land use pattern is slash and burn cultivation locally known as Jhum.

• There are wifd life sanctuaries and national parks, namely, Intanki and Puliebadze in Kohima District, Fakim in Tuensang and Rangapahar in Dimapur.

• The state of Nagaland is connected to the rest of the country with Airport and Railway stations at Dimapur and National Highway 19 which passes through the State from Dimapur via Kohirna to Manipur. This NH 39 is'soon to be an international route under the Look East Policy of the Government of India.

Orissa

• Orissa was made into a separate province on 1 April 1936. After Independence, princely states in and around prissa surrendered their sovereignty to the Government of India.

• By the States Merger (Governor's provinces) Order, 1949 the princely states of Orissa were completely merged with the state of Orissa in January 1949.

• Paradeep is the only major port of the State. Gopalpur has been developed as an all-weather port. Besides, Government has identified 14 potential sites for development of ports in the state. Establishment of a mega port at Dhamra is in progress.

Punjab

• Eight princely states of East Punjab were grouped together to form a single state called PEPSU—Patiala and the East Punjab States Union—with Patiala as its capital.
• PEPSU state was merged with Punjab in 1956. Later in 1966, Haryana was carved out of Punjab and during the same year the erstwhile capital of Punjab was shifted from Shimla to Chandigarh.

Rajasthan

• Rajasthan, the largest State in India area-wise prior to Independence, was known as Rajputana. The Rajputs, a martial community ruled over this area for centuries.

• The process of uniting scattered states commenced from 1948 to 1956 when the States Reorganisation Act was promulgated. First came Matsya Union (1948) consisting of a fraction of states, then, slowly and gradually other states merged with this Union. By 1949,

• Major states like Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer joined this Union making it the United State of Greater Rajasthan. Ultimately in 1958, the present State of Rajasthan formally came into being.

• Endowed with a rich culture, Rajasthan is also rich in minerals and is fast emerging on the industrial scenario of the country. Some of the important Central undertakings are Zinc Smelter Plant at Devari (Udaipur), Chanderia (Chittorgarh). Hindustan Copper Plant at Khetri Nagar (Jhunjhunu), Hindustan Salt Ltd. Sambhar (Jaipur), HMT Ltd. Ajmer. and Precision Instrument Factory at Kota.

• Rajasthan has rich deposits of zinc concentrates, emerald, granite, gypsum, silver ore, asbestos, felspar and mica. Promotional Industrial Park of the country has been established and made operational at Sitapura (Jaipur). Boranada (Jodhpur) and Nimrana (alwar). Special Economic Zone have been established in Jaipur and Jodhpur, and Multipurpose special Economic Zone "Mahendra World City" has been established in PPP model at Jaipur.

Sikkim

• With the march of history, events in Sikkim saw the State pass through the process of democratisation and become an integral part of the Indian Union in 1975.
• The world's third highest mountain, Khangchendzonga, is regarded as the guardian deity of Sikkim. Sikkim is one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots in the world.

• Sikkim's population comprises the three principal ethnic communities of the Bhutias, Lepchas and the Nepaiese. Maghey Sankranti, Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja and Chaite Dassai/Ram Navami Dassai, Tyohar, Sonam Losoong, Namsoog, Tendong Lho Rum Faat (Worship of Mt. Tendong), Losar (Tibetan New Year) are the major festivals.

• The premier monastery of Sikkim is Pemayantshe in Pelling. Apart from this there is Tashiding Monastery in West Sikkim; which is considered the holiest of all the monasteries in Sikkim. The most ancient monastery of Sikkim is in Yuksom, called the Drubdi monastery. It was the personal hermitage of Lhatsun Chenpo (Patron Saint of Sikkim), and was possibly built in 1700 AD.

Tamil Nadu

• Pongal is the harvest festival celebrated by the farmers in January to worship the sun, the earth and the cattle as thanks giving for a bounteous harvest.
• Pongal is followed by the Jallikattu-Butt fight. Alanganallur in Tamilnadu is internationally famous for Jailihattu -Bull fight.
• Global auto majors Hyundai Motors, Ford, Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi have commenced production plants. Ashok Leyland and TAPE have set up expansion plants in Chennai.
• Major ports in the State are Chennai, Egmore and Tuticorin. There are seven other minor ports including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.

Tripura

• In 1972, Tripura a'ttained the status of a full-fledged state.
• Tripura is strategically situated between the river valleys of Myanmar and Bangladesh. Encircled almost on three sides by Bangladesh, it is linked with Assam and Mizoram in the North-East.

Uttarakhand

• The State of Uttarakhand was earlier a part of the United Province of Agra and Awadh which came into existence in 1902. In 1935, the name of State was shortened to the United Province.

• In January 1950, the United Province was renamed as Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchaf remained a part of Uttar Pradesh before it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on 09 November 2000. It is incepted as the 27th State of India.

• Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, the State has international boundaries with China (Tibet) in the north and Nepal in the east. On its north-west lies Htmachal Pradesh while on the south is Uttar Pradesh.

• There are a number of hydro-electric projects on the rivers Yamuny, Bhagirathi, Bhilangana, Alaknanda, Maradakini, Saryu Gauri, Kosi and Kali generating electricity.

Uttar Pradesh

• The British combined Agra and Oudh into one province and called it United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. The name was shortened to the United Provinces in 1935. In January 1950 the United Provinces was renamed as Uttar Pradesh.

• It is planned to develop 102 sectors of New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) by the year 2011. The Authority includes industrial sectors,housing sectors,group housing sectors, residential buildings, commercial assets and institutional sectors. Steps have been taken to develop other industrial areas in the state on the pattern of Notda and Greater Noida. A Software Technology Park has been set up in Kanpur while five more Software Parks are proposed to be set up.

• The biggest congregation, perhaps of the world, Kumbha Mela is held at Allahabad every twelfth year and Ardh kumbh Mela every sixth year.

West Bengal

• After the commissioning of the Haldia Petrochemicals Limited (HPL) in 2000, downstream units in the plastic and other related industries were set up in the State and they are mostly engaged in manufacturing plastic items like buckets, containers, moulded furniture, battery containers, nylon nets, house wares etc.

• In West Bengal, there are three 3 functional Special Economic Zones— Falta (multi products zone), Manikanchan (Salt lake—gems and jewellery) and WIPRO (Salt Lake—IT/ITEs).

• The Calcutta Leather Complex at Bantala has already been declared as a Special Economic Zone.

• The IT Hub at sector-V of Salt Lake is India's first fully integrated electronic complex spread over 150 acres of green pollution free area near airport.

UNION TERRITORIES

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• There are four Negrito tribes, viz., the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinalese in the Andaman group of islands and two Mongoloid tribes, viz., Nicobarese and Shompens in the Nicobar group of islands.

• A large variety of timbers are found in the Andaman group of islands. The most valuable timbers are padauk and gurjan. These species are not found in Nicobar.

• There are 96 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 9 National Parks and 1 Biosphere Reserve in these Islands. Mammals - out of 55 terrestrial and 7 marine mammal species reported so far, 32 species are endemic.

• Paddy the main food crop, is mostly cultivated in Andaman group of Islands, whereas Coconut and Areca nut are the cash crops of Nicobar group of Islands. Field crops, namely, pulses, oilseeds and vegetable are grown followed by paddy during Rabi season. Different kinds of fruits such as mango, sapota, orange, banana, papaya, pineapple and root crops are grown on hilly land owned by the farmers.

Chandigarh

• Chandigarh and the area surrounding it were constituted as a Union Territory on 1 November 1966.
• It serves as the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana' States.
• The-city nestles in a picturesque setting in the foothills ' of Shivalik hills and enjoys the popular epithet the "City Beautiful".
• Chandigarh Administration is coming up with its World Class Project, the multi institutional 'Chandigarh Education City' at Sarangpur with a total area of 130 acres.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli

• From 1954 till 1961 the territory functioned almost independently by what was known as "Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli Administration".

• However, the territory was merged with the Indian Union on 11 August 1961 and since then is being administered by the Government of India as a Union Territory.

• The UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli has an area of 491 sq km and it is surrounded by Gujarat and Maharashtra.

• The prominent places of tourist interest are Tadekeshwar Shiva Mand ir,. Bind ra bin, Deer Park at Khanvel, Vanganga lake and Island Garden, Dadra, Vanvihar Udhyan Mini Zoo, Bal Udhyan, Tribal Museum and Hirvavan Garden at Silvassa.

Delhi

• In the latter half of the 18th century and early 19th century, British rule was established in Delhi. In 1911, Delhi became the centre of all activities after the capital was shifted from Kolkata (Calcutta).
• It was made a Union Territory in 1956. Lying in the northern part of the country, Delhi is surrounded by Haryana on all sides except the east where it borders with Uttar Pradesh.
• The 69th Constitutional amendment is a milestone in Delhi's history as it got a Legislative Assembly with the enactment of the National Capita! Territory Act, 1991.

Lakshadweep

• In 1956, the islands were constituted into a single territory, and since then, have been directly administered by the Union Government through an Administrator.
• The Laccadives, Minicoy and Amindivi group of islands were renamed as Lakshadweep in 1973. Lakshadweep, a group of coral islands consist of 12 atolls, three reefs and submerged sand banks. Of the 27 islands, only 11 are inhabited.

Puducherry

• The territory of Puducherry comprises the former French establishment Puducherry, Karaikal, Maheand Yanam, which lie scattered in South India. Puducherry, the capital of the territory was once the original headquarters of the French in India.

• It was under the French rule for 138 years and merged with the Indian Union on 1 November 1954. It is bounded on the east by the Bay of Bengal and on the three sides by Tamil Nadu.
• Together with the former French enclaves of Karaikal, (also in Tamil Nadu), Mahe (Kerala), Yanam (Andhra Pradesh), it now forms the Union Territory of Puducherry.
• Sri Aurobindo, the great seer, poet and prophet of Indian spirituality, preached his vision and ideals staying in Puducherry till his end.

Sample MCQ:

1. Consider the following statements:

1. Laccadives, Amindivi and minicoy group islands were renamed as Lakshadweep in 1973.
2. Lakshadweep, a group of coral islands, consists of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and submerged sand banks.
3. Coconut is the only major crop in Lakshadweep.

Which of the above statements is / are correct?

1. 1 & 2 only
2. 1 & 3 only
3. 2 & 3 only
4. All of the above.

2. Consider the following statements:

1. Andhra Pradesh has largest chrysolyte asbestos deposit in the country.
2. Andhra Pradesh stands first in mineral revenue among the important mineral producing states in the country.

Which of the above statements is / are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 & 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2