Step by step Integration of Rajasthan:
Prior to independence Rajasthan was split into 19 princely states, 2 Chiefships and one British administered territory. Jodhpur was the largest state and Lava ChiefsKip was the smallest. Each state had its own administrative system and was governed by Rajpramukh or Raja, Maharaja and Maharana. There was a lack of coordination among them. After independence the process of integration was initiated in the whole country and Rajasthan unification too became a part of this process. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a major role in it and Rajasthan was integrated step by step. This process was started in Rajasthan on 17th March, 1948 and it was completed on I st November 1956 in seven stages.
• First Stage-Formation of Matsay union:
Four states i.e. Alwar, Bharatpur, Dhaulpur and Karauli were combined on 17th March 1948 to form a union, known as the Matsay Sangh. It was named so on K.M. Munshi’s suggestions. Maharaja of Dhaulpur was made its Raj Pramukh.
• Second Stage —
Formation of United (Samyukta) Rajasthan: On 26th March, 1948, Nine princely states — Banswara, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kota,Kishangarh, Pratapgarh, Shahpura and Tonk were merged to form the Samyukta Rajasthan and Kota was made its Capital.
• Third Stage:
On 19th April, 1948, Udaipur state was combined with ex- Rajasthan and was named Samyukta Rajasthan. Udaipur was made its Capital and Maharaja of Udaipur as its Raj Pramukh.
• Fourth Stage – Greater Rajasthan:
Four big states of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer were merged with the Samyukta Rajasthan on March, 30,1949, to form the Greater Rajasthan. After a detailed discussion its Charter was prepared and Jaipur was made its capital. It was an important step towards the integration of the state. That is why 30th March is celebrated as the Rajasthan Day. In the Samyukta Rajasthan, Hira Lai Shastri was made the Pradhan Mantri (Chief Minister).
• Fifth Stage – Samyukta Greater Rajasthan:
In 15th May, 1949 merger of greater Rajasthan and Matsay sangh was completed and the Samyukta Greater Rajasthan was formed. Prior to the merger of the Matsay Sangh, Sankar Dev Samiti was organised to gather the opinion of the public of this area and the merger, was done on its recommendations.
• Sixth Stage:
The only left out Sirohi state was merged with the Samyukta Greater sangh on Jan, 26, 1950. It was the time when India was declared a Sovereign Democratic Republic State and the state was named as Rajasthan.
• Seventh Stage:
This was the last step. On 1st November 1956. The States Reorganisation Act. 1956 was enforced and under this Act, Sironj of Kota district was transferred to Madhya Bharat and Ajmer-Merwara, Abu Tehsil and Sunel- tappa part of Bhanpur tehsil of Mandsaur district of Madhya Bharat (Madhya Pradesh) were merged with Rajasthan. Jaipur was made the capital of Rajasthan.
