Explain different phases of the unification of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan was Rajputana before independence consisted of twenty-two princely states. At the time of independence 1947, it consisted of nineteen princely states and three thikanas. These princely states were annexed and merged with India in seven different stages. Those are:

1. In the first stage, the Matsya union was formed by four princely states such as Dholpur, Alwar, Bharatpur, and Karauli and integrated with India on 17^th March 1948.

2. In the second stage, Rajasthan Union was formed consisting of Banswara, Bundi, Jahalawar, Durgapur, Kishangarh, Pratapgarh, Tonk, Shahapura and Kota on 25^th March 1948.

3. United States of Rajasthan was the third phrase where Maharana of Udaipur joined the union after three days of unification of the Rajasthan Union.

4. United States of Rajasthan had paved the way of the merger of big states like Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. This formed a Greater Rajasthan.

5. At the 5^th stage, the Matsya union was merged with Greater Rajasthan and formed the United stated of Greater Rajasthan in 1949.

6. United Rajasthan was formed in 1950 by merging Sirohi and 18 states of United Rajasthan.

7. This is the final stage of the formation of Rajasthan was possible because of the State Reorganisation act 1956. The process got completed on 1^st November 1956.