Q1. At the time of India’s independence, what was the administrative composition of the Rajputana region in terms of princely states and chiefships?
Integration of Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
110 RAS Prelims MCQs on the integration of Rajasthan test dates, unions, leaders and the States Department. The path from 19 princely states and three chiefships to one state is asked as sequences, match tables and statement sets, so learn each stage with its date, its member states and the person linked to it.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 110 questions
Q2. Before the integration process began, which of the following areas in Rajputana was directly under the administration of the British Crown as a Chief Commissioner’s Province?
Explanation
Ajmer-Merwara functioned as a strategically vital Chief Commissioner’s Province directly under the administration of the British Crown. Unlike the surrounding princely states governed by local hereditary rulers, this enclave was managed by the British government for political and military reasons. It remained a separate administrative entity until its eventual merger with the state of Rajasthan on November 1, 1956.
Q3. Which of the following correctly identifies the three chiefships that existed in Rajputana prior to integration?
Explanation
The administrative landscape of Rajputana before integration featured nineteen princely states and three smaller autonomous units known as chiefships. These three chiefships were Kushalgarh, located near Banswara; Lava, situated near Tonk; and Neemrana, found within the Alwar region. Each of these units was progressively merged into larger unions during different phases of the unification process between 1948 and 1956.
Q4. The States Department, created on 5 July 1947 to handle the integration of princely states, established specific criteria for a state to maintain its independent existence. What were these criteria?
Explanation
The States Department established strict eligibility criteria for princely states to maintain their independent existence rather than merging into larger administrative unions. A state was required to have a minimum population of ten lakh people and an annual revenue of at least one crore rupees. These benchmarks were designed to ensure that only financially viable and populous states remained separate.
Q5. Which of the following princely states in Rajputana fulfilled the criteria set by the States Department to maintain an independent identity?
Explanation
Among the nineteen princely states of Rajputana, only four significant states possessed the population and revenue required to satisfy the criteria set by the States Department. These states were Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Udaipur. Consequently, these major powers initially held the technical right to remain independent entities before they eventually joined the larger unified Rajasthan state.
Q6. Which princely state of Rajputana was the first to sign the Instrument of Accession to join the Indian Union on 7 August 1947?
Explanation
Maharaja Sadul Singh of Bikaner took a proactive and historical step by becoming the first ruler from the Rajputana region to sign the Instrument of Accession. This event occurred on August 7, 1947, just days before India’s independence. His early commitment to the Indian Union played a vital role in encouraging other princely states to follow a similar path.
Q7. Which princely state of Rajputana was the last to sign the Instrument of Accession on 14 August 1947?
Explanation
While Bikaner was the first state to join the Indian Union, the state of Dholpur was the final one among the Rajputana princely states to finalize its accession. Maharaja Udaybhan Singh of Dholpur signed the Instrument of Accession on August 14, 1947. This signing marked the conclusion of the initial phase of integrating these sovereign states into India.
Q8. What was the central purpose of the "Standstill Agreement" signed by the princely states?
Explanation
The Standstill Agreement kept existing administrative arrangements between a princely state and the Crown in place until new constitutional arrangements were made. It was a stop-gap, so trade, transit and communications continued as before.
Q9. The following question consists of two statements, Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct option:
Assertion (A): Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel prioritised the swift integration of the Rajputana states.
Reason (R): The states of Rajputana formed a highly sensitive frontier sharing a long border with newly created Pakistan.
Assertion (A): Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel prioritised the swift integration of the Rajputana states.
Reason (R): The states of Rajputana formed a highly sensitive frontier sharing a long border with newly created Pakistan.
Explanation
Patel gave priority to the quick integration of Rajputana because the region was a sensitive frontier that shared a long border with the new Pakistan. The reason explains the assertion, so both are true and R explains A.
Q10. Which Indian leader was primarily appointed as the Secretary of the States Department to assist Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the integration process?
Explanation
V. P. Menon was the Secretary of the States Department and Sardar Patel’s chief aide. He drafted the Instrument of Accession and persuaded many rulers to sign.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) 19 princely states and 3 chiefships |
| 2 | (a) Ajmer-Merwara |
| 3 | (c) Kushalgarh, Lava, and Neemrana |
| 4 | (b) Minimum population of 10 lakh and annual revenue of 1 crore |
| 5 | (c) Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Udaipur |
| 6 | (b) Bikaner |
| 7 | (d) Dholpur |
| 8 | (c) To maintain existing administrative arrangements with the Crown until new constitutional provisions were established. |
| 9 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 10 | (d) V.P. Menon |
Key facts from Integration of Rajasthan
- At independence, Rajputana had 19 princely states, 3 chiefships (Kushalgarh, Lava and Neemrana) and the British-ruled Ajmer-Merwara.
- The States Department was created on 5 July 1947; V. P. Menon was its Secretary and assisted Sardar Patel.
- The Matsya Union was inaugurated on 18 March 1948 from Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli; K. M. Munshi suggested the name.
- The Rajasthan Union was formed on 25 March 1948 from nine states, with Gokul Lal Asawa as Prime Minister.
- Udaipur (Mewar) joined to form the United State of Rajasthan on 18 April 1948.
- V. P. Menon wrote The Story of the Integration of the Indian States.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Integration of Rajasthan?
This page has 110 practice MCQs on Integration of Rajasthan (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which states formed the Matsya Union?
Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli, together with the chiefship of Neemrana, were joined in the Matsya Union inaugurated on 18 March 1948. The name came from the ancient Matsya kingdom of the same region.
Who was the first Prime Minister of the Rajasthan Union?
Gokul Lal Asawa, when the Rajasthan Union was formed on 25 March 1948 from nine princely states. This was the second phase of integration, after the Matsya Union and before Udaipur joined in April 1948.
What did the Instrument of Accession give to India?
By signing it, a princely state surrendered three subjects to the Dominion of India: defence, foreign affairs and communications. In return the rulers were later given Privy Purses, a fixed allowance, when the states merged.