The correct answer is: C. 1966
The Punjab Hill Areas were added to Himachal Pradesh in 1966. The Punjab Hill Areas were a group of princely states in the Punjab region of British India. After the independence of India in 1947, the Punjab Hill Areas were merged with the Indian state of Punjab. However, in 1966, the Punjab Hill Areas were separated from Punjab and merged with the newly created state of Himachal Pradesh.
The Punjab Hill Areas were added to Himachal Pradesh for a number of reasons. First, the Punjab Hill Areas were geographically and culturally closer to Himachal Pradesh than to Punjab. Second, the people of the Punjab Hill Areas were largely Hindu, while the people of Punjab were largely Sikh. This religious difference led to some tensions between the two regions. Third, the Punjab Hill Areas were economically underdeveloped, and the government of Himachal Pradesh was better able to provide development assistance to the region.
The addition of the Punjab Hill Areas to Himachal Pradesh was a major event in the history of both regions. It helped to improve the economic and social conditions of the people of the Punjab Hill Areas, and it also helped to promote unity and harmony between the two regions.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Option A: 1948. This is the year that India gained independence from British rule. However, the Punjab Hill Areas were not added to Himachal Pradesh until 1966.
- Option B: 1956. This is the year that the States Reorganisation Act was passed. This act reorganized the states of India on a linguistic basis. However, the Punjab Hill Areas were not affected by this act.
- Option C: 1966. This is the correct answer. The Punjab Hill Areas were added to Himachal Pradesh in 1966.
- Option D: 1971. This is the year that India and Pakistan fought the Bangladesh Liberation War. However, the Punjab Hill Areas were not affected by this war.