Q11. Arrange the following states in the correct chronological order of signing the Instrument of Accession:
I. Bikaner
II. Dholpur
III. Jodhpur
Select the correct order:
I. Bikaner
II. Dholpur
III. Jodhpur
Select the correct order:
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 11–20 of 110 questions
Q12. By signing the Instrument of Accession, the princely states agreed to surrender which three subjects to the Dominion of India?
Explanation
By signing the Instrument of Accession a state handed over three subjects to the Dominion of India: defence, foreign affairs and communications. Everything else stayed with the ruler for the time being.
Q13. What specific designation was given to the financial grant provided to the rulers of the princely states in exchange for merging their states into India?
Explanation
The grant paid to rulers in return for merging their states was called the Privy Purse. It was a fixed annual allowance, and it was ended by the Constitution (26th Amendment) Act of 1971.
Q14. Consider the following statements regarding the background of Rajasthan’s integration:
I. The integration of Rajasthan was completed in exactly five stages.
II. The entire process took more than eight years to complete.
III. Ajmer-Merwara was the only Part-C state in the region prior to 1956.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
I. The integration of Rajasthan was completed in exactly five stages.
II. The entire process took more than eight years to complete.
III. Ajmer-Merwara was the only Part-C state in the region prior to 1956.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
Explanation
The integration of Rajasthan was completed in seven stages, from 1948 to 1956, so it took more than eight years and Statement I (five stages) is wrong. Ajmer-Merwara was the only Part-C state in the region before 1956, so II and III are correct.
Q15. V.P. Menon authored a highly influential book documenting the complex process of merging the princely states. What is the title of this book?
Explanation
V. P. Menon wrote The Story of the Integration of the Indian States, the standard account of how the princely states were merged into India.
Q16. During the integration process, which British official played a crucial mediating role alongside Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon to convince reluctant rulers?
Explanation
Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, worked with Patel and Menon and used his influence to persuade reluctant rulers to accede to India before independence.
Q17. Match the key figures in List I with their associated roles or status during the integration process in List II.
Select the correct code:
| Key Figure | Associated Role/Status |
|---|---|
| A. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | i. Secretary of the States Department |
| B. V.P. Menon | ii. Minister of States Department |
| C. N.V. Gadgil | iii. Suggested the name ‘Matsya Union’ |
| D. K.M. Munshi | iv. Inaugurated early integration phases |
Explanation
Patel was Minister of the States Department and V. P. Menon its Secretary. N. V. Gadgil inaugurated early phases of integration such as the Rajasthan Union, and K. M. Munshi suggested the name Matsya Union. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.
Q18. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the initial strategy used by the States Department for integration.
Explanation
Rulers were assured of internal autonomy at first, accession was limited to three subjects and geography mattered in deciding accession. Patel did not threaten military annexation of all Rajputana states, so statement C is the incorrect one.
Q19. Consider the following statements about V.P. Menon’s role in the integration:
I. He drafted the Instrument of Accession.
II. He acted as the primary emissary between Sardar Patel and the princes.
III. He personally negotiated with the Maharaja of Jodhpur when the latter hesitated.
IV. He was the first Chief Minister of the integrated Rajasthan.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
I. He drafted the Instrument of Accession.
II. He acted as the primary emissary between Sardar Patel and the princes.
III. He personally negotiated with the Maharaja of Jodhpur when the latter hesitated.
IV. He was the first Chief Minister of the integrated Rajasthan.
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
Explanation
V. P. Menon drafted the Instrument of Accession, acted as the main link between Patel and the princes and negotiated with the Maharaja of Jodhpur when he hesitated. He was never a Chief Minister of Rajasthan, so IV is wrong.
Q20. Which ruler famously pulled out a pen-pistol during a meeting with V.P. Menon regarding the signing of accession documents?
Explanation
Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur is said to have pulled out a pen-pistol during a meeting with V. P. Menon when the accession documents were discussed.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (a) I, III, II |
| 12 | (c) Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Communications |
| 13 | (d) Privy Purse |
| 14 | (b) II and III only |
| 15 | (b) The Story of the Integration of the Indian States |
| 16 | (b) Lord Mountbatten |
| 17 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 18 | (c) Sardar Patel threatened the immediate military annexation of all Rajputana states if they did not sign by 15 August 1947. |
| 19 | (a) I, II, and III only |
| 20 | (c) Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur |
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.