State of Telangana: a brief profile

Land-locked Telangana, all set to become the country's 29th state soon, is spread over an area of over 1.14 lakh square kilometres, and boasts of considerable mineral wealth under its soil.

Its population (including that of Hyderabad) is 3.5 crore.

The state, which would come into existence once the President gives assent to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, passed by both Houses of Parliament this week, comprises the districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal, Rangareddy, Khammam, Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar, apart from the metropolis of Hyderabad.

It would border on Maharashtra, Karnataka and the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh (Seemandhra).

The region was once a part of the princely state of Hyderabad, ruled by the Nizams, which also included some parts of the present-day Maharashtra and Karnataka.

"Hyderabad, during Nizam's rule, was the only state where the language of administration was neither English, nor that of the locals people. The language of the courts, the administration and instruction in educational institutions was primarily Urdu," notes the Srikrishna Committee report.

Telugu and Urdu are the main languages in the region, though Marathi and Kannada are also spoken in some areas.

Telangana boasts of mineral wealth in the form of coal and iron ore. State-run Singareni Collieries, a joint venture of Central Government and Andhra Pradesh government, is a major employer in the region.