The integration of Rajasthan was a complex process that took place in 7 distinct stages, starting from March 18, 1948, and concluding on November 1, 1956.
Pre-Integration Status:
- Princely States: 19 states
- Chiefships (Thikanas): 3 (Neemrana, Kushalgarh, Lava)
- British Territory (C-Category State): 1 (Ajmer-Merwara)
- In-charge of States Department: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Secretary of States Department: V.P. Menon
The 7 Stages of Rajasthan Integration
Stage 1: Matsya Union (मत्स्य संघ)
- Date: 18 March 1948
- Princely States Joined: Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli (Trick: ABCD) + Neemrana Chiefship.
- Capital: Alwar
- Rajpramukh: Udaybhan Singh (Maharaja of Dholpur)
- Prime Minister: Shobha Ram Kumawat (Alwar)
- Inaugurator: N.V. Gadgil
- Naming: Suggested by K.M. Munshi
Stage 2: Rajasthan Union / Former Rajasthan (पूर्व राजस्थान)
- Date: 25 March 1948
- Princely States Joined: Banswara, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kishangarh, Kota, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Tonk + Kushalgarh Chiefship.
- Capital: Kota
- Rajpramukh: Bhim Singh (Maharaja of Kota)
- Prime Minister: Gokul Lal Asawa (Shahpura)
- Inaugurator: N.V. Gadgil
Stage 3: United State of Rajasthan (संयुक्त राजस्थान)
- Date: 18 April 1948
- Princely States Joined: Udaipur (Mewar) joined the Rajasthan Union.
- Capital: Udaipur
- Rajpramukh: Bhupal Singh (Maharana of Udaipur)
- Up-Rajpramukh: Bhim Singh (Kota)
- Prime Minister: Manikya Lal Verma
- Inaugurator: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Stage 4: Greater Rajasthan (बृहत राजस्थान)
- Date: 30 March 1949 (Celebrated as *Rajasthan Diwas*)
- Princely States Joined: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer (Trick: JJJB) joined United State of Rajasthan + Lava Chiefship.
- Capital: Jaipur (Recommended by the P. Satyanarayan Rao Committee)
- Maharajpramukh: Bhupal Singh (Udaipur – only Maharajpramukh in Rajasthan’s history)
- Rajpramukh: Sawai Man Singh II (Maharaja of Jaipur)
- Prime Minister: Hiralal Shastri
- Inaugurator: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Stage 5: United State of Greater Rajasthan (संयुक्त बृहत राजस्थान)
- Date: 15 May 1949
- Princely States Joined: Matsya Union was formally merged into Greater Rajasthan.
- Key Committee: Merged on the recommendation of the Shankarrao Deo Committee.
- Capital: Jaipur
- Rajpramukh: Sawai Man Singh II
- Chief Minister (formerly PM): Hiralal Shastri
Stage 6: United Rajasthan (राजस्थान संघ)
- Date: 26 January 1950 (The day India became a Republic; the region formally received the name ‘Rajasthan’)
- Princely States Joined: Sirohi merged (excluding Abu and Delwara tehsils).
- Capital: Jaipur
- Rajpramukh: Sawai Man Singh II
- Chief Minister: Hiralal Shastri
Stage 7: Re-organized Rajasthan (आधुनिक राजस्थान)
- Date: 1 November 1956 (State Reorganisation Act)
- Areas Merged:
- Ajmer-Merwara (UT)
- Abu and Delwara tehsils (of Sirohi)
- Sunel Tappa region of Madhya Pradesh merged into Rajasthan.
- Note: Sironj subdivision of Jhalawar was handed over to Madhya Pradesh.
- Key Commission: Recommended by the Fazal Ali Commission (State Reorganisation Commission).
- Major Administrative Changes:
- The post of Rajpramukh was abolished and replaced by the Governor.
- First Governor of Rajasthan: Gurmukh Nihal Singh.
- Chief Minister: Mohan Lal Sukhadia (known as the modern builder of Rajasthan).
Quick Revision Table for RPSC
| Stage | Name of Stage | Date | Key Mergers | Rajpramukh | Prime Minister / CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matsya Union | 18 March 1948 | Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli | Udaybhan Singh | Shobha Ram Kumawat |
| 2 | Rajasthan Union | 25 March 1948 | 9 Southern/Eastern States | Bhim Singh (Kota) | Gokul Lal Asawa |
| 3 | United Rajasthan | 18 April 1948 | Mewar (Udaipur) added | Bhupal Singh | Manikya Lal Verma |
| 4 | Greater Rajasthan | 30 March 1949 | Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer | Man Singh II | Hiralal Shastri |
| 5 | United Greater Raj. | 15 May 1949 | Matsya Union added | Man Singh II | Hiralal Shastri |
| 6 | United Rajasthan | 26 Jan 1950 | Sirohi (except Abu-Delwara) | Man Singh II | Hiralal Shastri |
| 7 | Present Rajasthan | 1 Nov 1956 | Ajmer-Merwara, Abu-Delwara | Post Abolished (Gov: Gurmukh Nihal Singh) | Mohan Lal Sukhadia |