Rajasthan celebrated its 75th anniversary on 30 March 2024

Tags: State News

On March 30, Rajasthan celebrated the 75th anniversary of its formation in 1949 by merging 19 princely states and 3 states. This momentous occasion marked the end of an eight-and-a-half-year process.

An Overview of the News:

• Before 1949, the region was known as 'Rajputana'.

• After the princely states were merged, the territory was renamed "Rajasthan," which is currently acknowledged as the largest state in terms of area in India and is well-known for its rich historical background.

The day's historical context:

• On January 14, 1949, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel declared the union of princely states, which included Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. 

• On March 30, 1949, Rajasthan Day was established and Greater Rajasthan was formally inaugurated in Jaipur.

• Historians believe Colonel James Tod was the one who first named the region "Rajasthan," but George Thomas claimed the name Rajputana in 1800 AD. 

• The province where kings lived was referred to in the local literary language as "Rajasthan."

• Princely States and Mergers: When Rajasthan gained its independence, it was divided into 22 princely states, 19 of which were headed by monarchs and 3 by chiefs. 

• In addition, British rule extended to the province of Ajmer-Merwara. From March 18, 1948, until November 1, 1956, there were seven phases to the merger process.

Government Intervention:

• On November 1, 1956, the States Reorganization Commission, led by Afzal Ali, recommended that the provinces of Ajmer and Merwara be merged with Rajasthan.

• Capital Designation: On September 7, 1949, the Government of India named Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan, on the recommendation of the Satyanarayana Rao Committee.

• Territorial Changes: As a result of the merger, Sironj village in the Jhalawar district was absorbed into Madhya Pradesh, and Suneltappa village in the Mandsaur tehsil of Madhya Pradesh became a part of Rajasthan.