Rajpramukh - After 1956

After 1956

On November 1, 1956, the States Reorganization Act took effect, which erased the distinction between parts A, B, and C states, and reorganized state boundaries along linguistic lines. Of the Part B states, Rajputana was merged with Ajmer-Merwara state to become Rajasthan; Hyderabad was partitioned among Mysore, Andhra Pradesh, and Bombay state; Saurashtra was merged into Bombay state; Travancore-Cochin was merged with Malabar district to form the new state of Kerala; Madhya Bharat and Vindhya Pradesh were merged into Madhya Pradesh; Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) was merged into Punjab state, and Mysore state was enlarged with the addition of Coorg state and parts of Bombay,Madras and Hyderabad states.

By 1956, the system of voluntary unions of states was dismantled and the position of Rajpramukh abolished. New states were created along linguistic and ethnic lines, which tore apart the traditional ties that existed in the former princely states. As the princely rulers died one by one more time was being taken before their successors were recognized by the Government of India. When they were recognized it was usually after they were persuaded to accept lower privy purses or reductions in privileges. But many influential Maharajahs and Maharanis were not content with being mere nominal title holders enjoying privileges. They started contesting in General elections either Independently or by joining political parties. Growing popularity and success of many of the Indian Royalty in the hustings particularly Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur and Raja Matha of Gwalior, Viajya Raje Sindhia among others was not to the liking of Mrs. Gandhi who had become prime Minister by 1966. By 1969 Indian National congress had split in to Congress (Organization) and Congress(Ruling). Congress (R) was headed by Mrs. Gandhi and to score public support she coined slogans like Garibi Hatao (Stop Poverty) which included promise to abolish Royal order. She de-recognized all the Maharajs by a presidential order in 1969. But this was struck down by the Supreme Court of India. Eventually, the government by the 26Th Amendment to the constitution was successful in abolishing the Princely order. This process was completed by the end of 1971. Though a challenge to this amendment to the constitution was challenged in the Supreme Court, the court neither heard the matter immediately or gave any relief to the Rulers. The case was ultimately decided against the Rulers by as late as in 1993, by which time it had become fait-accompli. They have since only enjoyed their traditional styles and titles on a social basis and adopted themselves well. Former Royaty like Capt. Amarinder singh- Maharaja of Patiala, Maharani Vasundhara Raje Sindhi of Dholpur even rose to post of Chief Ministers of Punjab and Rajasthan respectively till recently. Many others like V.P Singh, Digvijay Singh, Srikanata Datta Narasimha Raja Wadiyar, Late Madahva Rao Sindhia & his son, Arjun Singh, and many others have been active politics and been Prime Minister,Governors, Ministers, MLA's and MP's for some time.

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