Today’s Rajasthan was known as Rajputana prior to independence of India. There were many princely states in Rajputana. Their rulers administered under the directions and supervision of the British government. After Independence they were integrated to form Rajasthan. It was decided by the States Department that the princely states having population less than 10 lacs or income less than one crore should be merged with the neighbouring larger states. The whole process of merger began in 1948 and continued till 1956 given below. Status of Prime-Minister in all the princely states of the country was changed to Chief-Minister after India’s independence.
First step: It was Matsay Sangh, organised in 17-03-1948 by merging Alwar, Bharatpur, Dhaulpur and Karauli. Shobharam was its Prime Minister. Udaibhan Singh of Dhaulpur was the Raj Pramukh. Alwar was the capital of Matsay Sangh.
Second Step: Sanyukta Rajasthan was formed by merging Banswara, Kota, Bundi, Tonk, Jhalawar, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Kishangarh and Dungarpur and two chief Kusalgarh and Lava were included on 25.03.1948. Its capital was Kota, Gokul Lai Aasawa was the Prime Minister, Bheem Singh was Raj Pramukh. After three weeks Mewar or Udaipur also merged in it, Udaipur was its capital.
Third Step: Manikya Lai Verma became Prime Minister (Chief Minister) and Bhoopal Singh of Mewar as Raj Pramukh.
Fourth Step: Vrihat Rajasthan was formed on 30-03-1949 by merging Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. Jaipur was its capital, Heera Lai Shastri was the Chief Minister (Prime Minister). Man Singh, Jaipur was Raj Pramukh. After enforcement of Indian constitution in whole country Prime Ministers of the states were called as Chief Minister.
Fifth Step: Vrohat Rajasthan was enlarged by merging, Matsay Sangh in 15- 051949. Its capital continued to be Jaipur, Hiralal Shastri as the Chief Minister, Mansingh Jaipur as Raj Pramukh. Till now only Sirohi was left which was not merged in Rajasthan.
Sixth Step: When India’s first Republic day was being celebrated. At that time expect Dilwara and Abu region rest Sirohi become the part of Rajasthan, state Reorganisation Commission organised by the Indian government ordered to merge region of Ajmer Merwada in Rajasthan in 1956.
Along Sunel and Tappa of Madhya Pradesh, Dilwara and Abu Sirohi tehsils were also made the part of Rajasthan. The Sirohi of Rajasthan was merged with Madhya Pradesh. In this way present Rajasthans unification was done on 1st November 1956, but Rajasthan Diwas is celebrated on 30 March on the basis of Vrihat Rajasthan.
