Correct Answer - Option 3 : 18
th State of India
History of Himachal Pradesh:
- Himachal Pradesh was established in 1948 as a Chief Commissioner's Province within the Union of India.
- The province comprised the hill districts around Shimla and southern hill areas of the former Punjab region.
- Himachal became a Part C state on 26 January 1951 with the implementation of the Constitution of India.
- Himachal Pradesh became a Union Territory on 1 November 1956.
- On 18 December 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25 January 1971.
- Thus Himachal emerged as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.
- In earlier times, the area was variously divided among smaller kingdoms, such as those of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami.
- After the Gurkha War of 1815–1816, it became part of British India.
Thus, Himachal Pradesh was granted full statehood in 1971 A.D., it became the 18th State of India.