Linguistic Nationalism in the Telugu-speaking Madras Presidency (1913-1956)

Religious nationalism dates back to the sixteenth century, while linguistic nationalism emerged around 1870, reflecting the differing political and economic landscapes of traditional and modern societies. Traditional communities were agrarian and decentralised, while modern societies became centralised and industrialised, enhancing literacy and interaction with institutions. This made language vital for negotiating resources, leading to demands for official recognition of ethnic languages, often opposed by dominant groups. Linguistic nationalism has spurred ethnonational movements in regions like Quebec, Belgium's Flanders and Wallonia, Swiss French and German-speaking areas, and among Dravidian communities in India. Areas organised by language tend to have a stronger sense of identity, as movements for linguistic reorganisation foster solidarity and a common bond among people, reinforcing their shared struggle for identity. This article attempts to understand the formation of Andhra Pradesh, the first linguistic state, after the dissolution of the Madras Presidency.