Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025, Foundation Day, History

Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025 is observed on May 1, commemorating the 1960 division of Bombay. Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025 marks 65 years by reflecting unity through linguistic reorganisation.

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May 01, 2025

Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025, Foundation Day, History

Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day: Every year on May 1st, while much of the world observes International Labour Day, India commemorates a landmark in its democratic and cultural journey — the Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day. This occasion celebrates the formation of Gujarat and Maharashtra as independent states in 1960, following the division of the former Bombay State along linguistic lines. The Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025 marks the 65th anniversary of this significant event in India’s post-independence reorganisation.

Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025

Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025 will be celebrated on Thursday, May 1, 2025, marking 65 years since the formation of the two states from the former Bombay State. Observed every year, this day is of great historical and cultural significance for both Gujarat and Maharashtra, as it commemorates the linguistic reorganisation that led to their creation in 1960. 

Known respectively as Gujarat Foundation Day and Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025, the occasion is marked by official ceremonies, parades, cultural programs, and public tributes, celebrating the progress, heritage, and unity of these states within the Indian federation.

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Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025 Overview
Particulars Details
Event Name Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025
Date Thursday, May 1, 2025
Occasion 65th Foundation Day of Gujarat and Maharashtra
Also Known As Gujarat Day, Gujarat Foundation Day, Maharashtra Din
States Formed Gujarat and Maharashtra
Year of Formation 1960
Former State Bombay State
Basis of Formation Linguistic Reorganization
Capital of Gujarat Gandhinagar (Initially Ahmedabad)
Capital of Maharashtra Mumbai
Major Celebrations in Gujarat Cultural events, parades, and Sabarmati Riverfront programs
Major Celebrations in Maharashtra Parades, speeches, and cultural performances at Shivaji Park

Also Read: Important Days in May 2025

History Behind Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day

To understand the importance of Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day, one must revisit the history of Maharashtra State and the history of Gujarat State.

Post-independence India witnessed the growing demand for administrative reorganisation based on language. The Bombay State, a multilingual region, included speakers of Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani, and other languages. The desire for linguistic self-governance led to two powerful movements:

  • The Samyukta Maharashtra Movement: This was a mass agitation led by the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, formed in 1956, demanding a separate state for Marathi-speaking people that would include Bombay (now Mumbai), Vidarbha, and Marathwada.
  • The Mahagujarat Movement: Dating back to 1928, this movement gained momentum in the 1950s, seeking a separate state for Gujarati-speaking people, including the regions of Saurashtra, Kutch, and North Gujarat.
Also Read: International Labour Day 2025

Recognising the intensity of the demands, the States Reorganisation Commission was formed in 1953. As a result, the Bombay Reorganisation Act was passed, and on May 1, 1960, Gujarat and Maharashtra were officially created.

Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025 Celebration

The Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025 on Thursday, May 1, 2025, will be observed as a public holiday in both states. It is known by different names:

  • Gujarat Day, or Gujarat Sthapana Divas, or Gujarat Foundation Day.
  • Maharashtra Day, or Maharashtra Din, or Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025.
Also Read: States And Capitals Of India

Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025

Popularly known as Maharashtra Din, the day is observed with magnificence across the state. In Mumbai: 

Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day

  • Particularly at Shivaji Park, the Chief Minister hoists the national flag and pays homage to the leaders of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement
  • Schools, colleges, and government offices organise cultural programs and exhibitions reflecting Marathi pride and heritage
  • From Lavani dance to traditional foods like Puran Poli, the day is a festival of Maharashtra’s vibrant culture.

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Gujarat Statehood Day 2025

Known as Gujarat Gaurav Din or Gujarat Sthapana Divas, the celebrations span the length and breadth of the state: 

  • Events are commonly organised at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, with performances showcasing Garba, folk music, and art exhibitions. 
  • Awards are granted to individuals for excellence in various fields, and people wear traditional attire to reflect their Gujarati identity
  • Gujarat Foundation Day is both a celebration of history and a look toward a progressive future.

Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day

Image Credit: Maps of India

Gujarat and Maharashtra Pillars of Modern India

Since their formation on Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day, both states have played critical roles in shaping India’s economic and political landscape.

Maharashtra

  • Home to Mumbai, India’s financial capital.
  • A leader in industrialisation, banking, media, and Bollywood.
  • Deeply rooted in the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, social reformers like Jyotiba Phule, and literary legends.

Gujarat

  • A hub of textile, chemical, and petroleum industries.
  • Birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, and known for its rich heritage of non-violence and self-reliance.
  • Renowned for its spirit of enterprise, reflected in the success of business families and startups.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who himself is from Gujarat, has often highlighted the contributions of both states. In his annual addresses, he recognizes Maharashtra’s bravery and history, and Gujarat’s culture and dynamism, emphasizing that both states continue to be vital pillars of India’s progress.

UPSC Relevance To Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day

For UPSC aspirants, understanding the significance of the Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day is essential. It offers deep insights into:

  • The post-independence linguistic reorganisation of states.
  • The functioning and response of democratic movements.
  • The regional cultural expressions strengthen national unity.

Moreover, as India continues to grow and diversify, the model of peaceful state formation that Maharashtra and Gujarat represent remains a valuable lesson in federalism and pluralism.

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Conclusion

The Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025 is not just a historical commemoration; it is a celebration of the people’s voice and the democratic spirit of India. It reminds us that unity in diversity is not just a slogan but a lived reality, thanks to the cultural richness of states like Maharashtra and Gujarat. Whether through a Garba performance in Gandhinagar or a flag-hoisting ceremony in Mumbai, May 1st continues to symbolise the strength, identity, and aspirations of two of India’s most vibrant states.

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Gujarat Maharashtra Statehood Day FAQs

Gujarat Statehood Day 2025 marks the 65th anniversary of the formation of Gujarat on May 1, 1960, following the reorganisation of Bombay State.

Gujarat Day is celebrated to honour the establishment of the state of Gujarat and the rich cultural and linguistic identity of its people.

Maharashtra Statehood Day 2025 commemorates the formation of Maharashtra for the Marathi-speaking population on May 1, 1960.

The history of Maharashtra State is rooted in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, which led to its creation from Bombay State in 1960.

Gujarat Foundation Day celebrates the unity, enterprise, and heritage of the Gujarati-speaking population that formed the state of Gujarat.

The history of Gujarat State is linked to the Mahagujarat Movement, which demanded a separate state for Gujarati speakers, achieved on May 1, 1960.

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