In 1947, the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan, which was a great tragedy for India. Thus, Gandhiji`s dreams for a united India were shattered. Unfortunately, the region of Punjab was also split between India and Pakistan. Then there was a need for a new capital for Punjab, as the old capital `Lahore` became part of Pakistan during the partition. Names of several states were brought forward but were found unfeasible for various reasons. Of all the town schemes put forward, Chandigarh project quickly assumed prime significance because of Jawaharlal Nehru`s personal interest in it. In 1948, under the leadership of chief architect Mr. P.L. Verma the construction of this capital city began. The committee examined all the factors of building a high caliber city with necessary potential such as military vulnerability, drinking water, climatic conditions etc. After selecting the site a master plan of the city was prepared by an American firm (Mayor, Whittleslay, Glass & Nowicki).
Chandigarh evolved at a period of crisis and turbulence, when the nation was suffering the partition and post independence confusions. On 1 November 1966, Haryana was carved out of eastern portion of the Punjab with the aim of creating a Hindi speaking state and the Western portion of Punjab was carved with the aim of creating a state, which has mostly a Punjabi-speaking majority and remained as the current day Punjab. However Chandigarh was on the border, and was thus created into a union territory to serve as capital of both these states. In accordance with the agreement signed in August 1985 by Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India at that time, with Sant Harchand Singh Longowal of the Akali Dal, Chandigarh was due to be transferred to Punjab in 1986. The city beautiful Chandigarh originated in 1950 in the foothills of Shivalik ranges.
