1857 revolt, Prajamandal movement, freedom struggle and integration of Rajasthan

Rajasthan's modern political history starts from the princely-state order of Rajputana, not from one British province. Mewar, Marwar, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Kota, Bundi, Bharatpur, Alwar, Dholpur, Karauli, Tonk, Sirohi, Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Jhalawar, Kishangarh and Shahpura had separate rulers, courts and local grievances. Ajmer-Merwara was different because it was directly administered by the British. This distinction is important for LDC GK: a movement in Jaipur or Mewar usually targeted a princely ruler and his officials, while activity in Ajmer could connect more directly with British Indian politics. The treaty sequence of 1818 placed most Rajputana states under British paramountcy after Maratha pressure, Pindari raids and the Third Anglo-Maratha War. The rulers retained internal authority, but external relations, security and political supervision moved under British control through the Rajputana Agency and political agents. This arrangement explains why later nationalism in Rajasthan had two targets at once: colonial power above the states and autocratic rule inside the states. For objective questions, keep three categories separate: directly ruled Ajmer-Merwara, indirectly controlled princely states, and popular organisations that crossed these boundaries. The same background also explains why integration after independence was complicated. The problem was not only to remove British authority; it was to combine many courts, jagirs, administrative habits and public movements into one state. Therefore, questions on 1857, Prajamandals and integration belong to one chain, not three isolated chapters.