RAS question
V.P. Menon played a key role in the merger of Rajasthan princely states. He served as:
Correct answer: (A) Secretary, Ministry of States.
V.P. Menon served as Secretary of the Ministry of States under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during the integration of princely states.
Explanation
V.P. Menon is linked to Rajasthan's merger because he was not a provincial officer but the key administrative official in the central states-integration machinery. The Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs backgrounder says that, on 25 June 1947, the States Department was formed under Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon was appointed its Secretary. It also describes Patel and Menon as a formidable team whose tact and diplomacy helped overcome major hurdles in bringing princely states into the Union of India. Menon's role extended to the merger negotiations for princely states, including those that formed Rajasthan, and he later authored The Story of the Integration of the Indian States.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Political Adviser to the Viceroy is not the role supported here; V.P. Menon served in Patel's States Department as its Secretary.
- (C) Chief Commissioner of Ajmer-Merwara would be a local administrative post, whereas Menon belonged to the central integration machinery under Sardar Patel.
- (D) Governor of Rajasthan does not fit the integration-era role asked in the question; Menon's stated role was Secretary in the Ministry of States/States Department.
Concept
This tests the Rajasthan-history link between the integration of princely states and the central Ministry of States led by Sardar Patel. It recurs in RAS because Rajasthan's formation cannot be understood without the accession and merger process.