Rajasthan was formed through the merger of how many princely states?

Explanation

The key number is 19 princely states. The Raj Bhawan, Rajasthan introduction states that after Independence, all 19 states and three chieftainships in Rajputana acceded to the Indian Union. In RAS exam framing, Rajasthan emerged through the merger of these 19 princely states and three thikanas in a seven-stage process from 1948 to 1956. The count of princely states is separate from the total count of political units involved. The chieftainships were part of the integration process, but they are not counted as princely states.

Why the other options are wrong

• (A) 22 adds the three chieftainships to the 19 princely states, producing the total of political units rather than the count of princely states.
• (C) 15 understates the count; the Raj Bhawan, Rajasthan account and RAS exam framing both identify 19 states in Rajputana.
• (D) 25 overstates the count and exceeds the 19 princely states recorded in the Raj Bhawan, Rajasthan account and RAS exam framing.

Concept

The political integration of Rajasthan after Independence is a recurring RAS theme because it links state formation, Rajputana's princely units and the post-1947 administrative consolidation process.

Source

• Raj Bhawan, Rajasthan

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