Q91. Upon its final formation in 1956, what was the approximate total geographical area consolidated under the State of Rajasthan?
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 91–100 of 110 questions
Q92. The integration of Rajasthan rapidly accelerated the abolition of which traditional feudal administrative system in the state?
Explanation
The integration of Rajasthan led to the rapid dismantling of the traditional Jagirdari system. This feudal land tenure system, which had existed for centuries, was incompatible with the democratic and socialist goals of the new Indian state. The Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act was a direct consequence of unification, aimed at giving land rights to the actual tillers.
Q93. Consider the following statements about the political restructuring during integration:
I. The integration process transferred real political power from the monarchs to popular leaders.
II. High Courts were established in every princely state’s former capital.
III. The custom barriers between the various states were dismantled.
IV. A unified civil service for Rajasthan was established.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
I. The integration process transferred real political power from the monarchs to popular leaders.
II. High Courts were established in every princely state’s former capital.
III. The custom barriers between the various states were dismantled.
IV. A unified civil service for Rajasthan was established.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
Explanation
Integration successfully shifted power to popular leaders, removed internal custom barriers, and established a unified civil service. However, High Courts were not established in every former capital; instead, the B.R. Patel Committee recommended consolidating the judiciary, leading to a single High Court for the entire state, which was permanently established in Jodhpur to ensure administrative efficiency and legal unity.
Q94. Which article of the Indian Constitution originally provided for the payment of Privy Purses to the former rulers of the princely states?
Explanation
Article 291 of the original Indian Constitution provided the legal basis for the payment of Privy Purses to the former rulers. This article ensured that the sums guaranteed under the merger agreements were paid out of the Consolidated Fund of India and were exempt from income tax. These provisions were later abolished in 1971 through the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act.
Q95. Arrange the following key figures in the sequence they served as the formal administrative heads (Prime Minister/Chief Minister) of the evolving state of Rajasthan:
I. Hiralal Shastri
II. C.S. Venkatachari
III. Jai Narayan Vyas
IV. Tikaram Paliwal
Select the correct sequence:
I. Hiralal Shastri
II. C.S. Venkatachari
III. Jai Narayan Vyas
IV. Tikaram Paliwal
Select the correct sequence:
Explanation
The administrative leadership of Rajasthan transitioned through several key figures. Hiralal Shastri was the first Prime Minister and Chief Minister. He was followed by C.S. Venkatachari, a civil servant appointed as Chief Minister. Subsequently, Jai Narayan Vyas took office, followed by Tikaram Paliwal, who became the first democratically elected Chief Minister after the first general elections were held.
Q96. Which local leader from Bharatpur, actively involved in the Praja Parishad, is often referred to as the "Nehru of the second Rajasthan"?
Explanation
Jugal Kishore Chaturvedi, a prominent leader from Bharatpur, is often referred to as the "Nehru of the second Rajasthan." He was a dedicated freedom fighter and social worker who played a vital role in the Praja Parishad movement. His political style and commitment to democratic values earned him this comparison with Jawaharlal Nehru during the early years of the state’s formation.
Q97. Which of the following princely states celebrated ‘Independence Day’ separately before finally acceding to the Indian Union?
Explanation
While there were complex negotiations and moments of hesitation among some rulers, none of the Rajputana states officially celebrated a separate Independence Day as sovereign nations. Despite the private discussions held by rulers in Jodhpur or other states, they all eventually acceded to the Indian Union by August 15, 1947, or shortly thereafter, participating in the national transition to independence.
Q98. Consider the following statements regarding the national significance of Rajasthan’s integration:
I. It secured India’s vulnerable western frontier.
II. It seamlessly merged absolute monarchies into a democratic republic.
III. It proved the efficacy of the Instrument of Accession mechanism.
IV. It resulted in immediate large-scale communal riots across Rajputana.
V. It formed the basis for linguistic state reorganization in north India.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
I. It secured India’s vulnerable western frontier.
II. It seamlessly merged absolute monarchies into a democratic republic.
III. It proved the efficacy of the Instrument of Accession mechanism.
IV. It resulted in immediate large-scale communal riots across Rajputana.
V. It formed the basis for linguistic state reorganization in north India.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
Explanation
The integration of Rajasthan was a major success that secured the western border and merged monarchies into a republic using the Instrument of Accession. However, it did not cause immediate large-scale communal riots across the entire region, nor was it the primary basis for linguistic reorganization in North India, which was a separate national process handled by the central government.
Q99. In 1947, which department in the Government of India was tasked with the critical job of preventing the "balkanization" of the country through integration?
Explanation
The States Department was specifically created by the Government of India in July 1947 to handle the monumental task of integrating over five hundred princely states. Led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon, this department was responsible for negotiating with the rulers and preventing the "balkanization" of India, ensuring a unified and strong country after the British withdrawal.
Q100. Consider the following statements regarding Hiralal Shastri:
I. He was the first Chief Minister of Greater Rajasthan.
II. He negotiated the Jaipur state’s early integration.
III. He resigned from his post in 1951 due to differences with the Congress high command.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
I. He was the first Chief Minister of Greater Rajasthan.
II. He negotiated the Jaipur state’s early integration.
III. He resigned from his post in 1951 due to differences with the Congress high command.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
Explanation
All three statements about Hiralal Shastri are accurate. He served as the first Chief Minister of Greater Rajasthan and was central to Jaipur’s integration. His resignation in 1951 was indeed prompted by political differences with other Congress leaders and the high command. His leadership was foundational in setting up the administrative machinery for the newly unified state of Rajasthan.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 91 | (b) 3.42 lakh sq km |
| 92 | (c) Jagirdari system |
| 93 | (b) I, III, and IV only |
| 94 | (c) Article 291 |
| 95 | (a) I, II, III, IV |
| 96 | (d) Jugal Kishore Chaturvedi |
| 97 | (a) None of the Rajputana states officially celebrated their independence as separate entities. |
| 98 | (a) I, II, and III only |
| 99 | (a) The States Department |
| 100 | (d) I, II, and III |
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.