Which state was the first to be formed on a linguistic basis in independent India, created on 1 October 1953 for Telugu speakers following the death of Potti Sreeramulu after a 58-day hunger strike?

• A Kerala
• B Karnataka
• C Gujarat
• D Andhra State ✓

Andhra State was formed on 1 October 1953 as the first linguistic state, later expanding into Andhra Pradesh in 1956 by merging with Telangana.