RAS question
The first phase of Rajasthan's integration, forming the Matsya Union on 18 March 1948, involved which princely states?
Correct answer: (D) Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli.
The Matsya Union, the first phase of Rajasthan's integration, comprised the princely states of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli.
Explanation
The first phase of Rajasthan's integration was the formation of the Matsya Union on 18 March 1948. Its composition is the key exam fact: it brought together Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli. Rajasthan Foundation's post-independence account supports this core point by identifying Matsya Union as the first post-independence union and listing Alwar, Bharatpur, Dhaulpur, and Karauli as its constituent states. The associated offices were also important: Shobha Ram was appointed its first Chief Minister, while Udai Bhan Singh of Dholpur became the Rajpramukh. So option D is correct because it matches the first-stage Matsya grouping, not a later Rajasthan integration phase.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, and Tonk belong to the second phase of Rajasthan's integration, not to the Matsya Union.
- (B) Udaipur, Bundi, Kota, and Jhalawar were connected with later phases of Rajasthan's integration, so this grouping does not identify the first-stage Matsya Union.
- (C) Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer belong to the fourth phase, Greater Rajasthan, not to the Matsya Union.
Concept
This tests the Rajasthan history theme of the phased integration of princely states after Independence. It recurs in RAS because the exam often asks candidates to match stages, dates, unions, and constituent states accurately.