Rajasthan Day or Rajasthan Foundation Day is celebrated each year on 30 March.
On 30 March 1949, the princely states of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner merged to form the ‘Greater Rajasthan Union’. This is considered to be the day of establishment of Rajasthan.
The word Rajasthan means- ‘place of kings’ because the Gurjars, Rajputs, Mauryas, Jats among others ruled here. After the declaration of independence of India by the British rulers, the process of transfer of power was started. At that time, it was felt that the formation of Rajasthan province of independent India and the merger of the then part of Rajputana with India could prove to be a difficult task.
With the declaration of independence, there was a competition among the chiefs of the princely states of Rajputana to retain their power even in the independent state. At that time, with a point of view of the geographical situation of the present Rajasthan, there were a total of twenty-two princely states in this part of Rajputana. .
In these states except one princely state of Ajmer Merwada province, the rest of the princely states were ruled by native kings. The Ajmer-Merwada province was occupied by the British rulers. Because of this, it would have come directly into independent India, but the remaining twenty-one princely states were to be merged, that is, a province called ‘Rajasthan’ was to be formed.
Due to the competition for power, it seemed very difficult because the rulers of these princely states were looking at the merger of their princely states with independent India as a second priority. Their demand was that they have been governing their own states for years, they have long experience, due to which their princely state should be given the status of ‘independent state’.
The process of unification of Rajasthan, which started on 18 March 1948, was completed on 1 November 1956 in seven phases amidst a decade of tumult.
The role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his secretary V.P. Menon, the then Indian princely state and Home Minister of the Government of India, was quite significant in this context.
Due to their understanding, the present form of Rajasthan could be created.
Rajasthan made in seven phases
* On March 18, 1948, the princely states of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli merged to form ‘Matsya Sangh’. The then Maharaja of Dholpur Udai Singh became the Rajpramukh and Alwar became the capital.
* On 25 March 1948, Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar, Tonk, Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Kishangarh and Shahpura merged to form the Union of Rajasthan.
*The merger of the princely state of Udaipur on 18 April 1948. The new name was named ‘United Rajasthan Union’. The then Maharana Bhupal Singh of Udaipur became the Rajpramukh.
*On 30 March 1949, the princely states of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner merged to form the ‘Greater Rajasthan Union’. This is considered to be the day of establishment of Rajasthan.
*On 15 April 1949, the ‘Matsya Sangh’ merged with the Greater Rajasthan Union.
* On 26 January 1950, the princely state of Sirohi was also merged with the Greater Rajasthan Union.
*On November 1, 1956, Abu, Delwara tehsil was also merged with Rajasthan, Sunel Tappa which once was with Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh also merged.