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Rajpramukh was an administrative title in India.
At the time of the proclamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India in 1877 more than 700 Indian princely states and territories enjoyed treaty relations with the British Crown. The exact relationship between the Government of India (under the British rule) and these states varied enormously, ranging from treaties of alliance, defence, protection, or supervision to almost outright control. The British Crown assumed these rights from the East India Company in 1857 and exercised paramountcy in respect of the internal governance which was exercised by the British Viceroy. The British Government unilaterally cancelled the treaty relations with Indian princely states at midnight on August 14, 1947 - the date set for the granting of independence to the new Dominions of India and Pakistan. The rulers of the princely states were encouraged to accede to either one of the dominions of their choice, under the formula adopted in the abortive federal constitution of 1935.
While around 730 states chose to accede to the Dominion of India by the date of independence, two states Bhutan and Sikkim, became Indian protectorates. Three other states namely Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir, and Junagadh, failed to accede to either dominion. Jammu together with parts of Kashmir were incorporated into India after the Maharaja was forced to seek Indian military intervention. In time, the two remaining states of Hyderabad and Junagadh had to be incorporated into India by use of force of arms.
During the period 1948-1950, some of the princely states that joined India were either incorporated into existing former provinces of British India. Most of the others were formed into unions of new states or if large enough they became single unit states. The senior ruling prince within the union was usually appointed to the new position of Rajpramukh an appointment designed to be for life. In return for surrendering the government of their states, together with their revenues and military forces, the former ruling princes were guaranteed their hereditary styles and titles, certain privileges of rank and honour, as well as privy purses to cover the living expenses of themselves and their families.
Rule of Rajpramukhs in democratic India
Between January 26, 1950, and November 1, 1956, there were four types of administrative divisions in India viz: states (under a governor), states (under a Rajpramukh), states (under a chief commissioner), and one territory. From 1st November 1956 when the reorganization of states was effected there were two types of administrative units namely state (former governor and Rajpramukh states) and Union territory (former chief commissioner states and a territory). Some of these smaller Union Territories later got statehood.
Hyderabad state which was integrated into Andhra Pradesh had Rajpramukh Fath Jang Mir Osman Ali Khan (b. 1886 -d. 1967) as Rajpramukh from 26th January 1950 to 31st October 1956. Saurashtra which was first integrated into Bombay (1950) and later into Gujarat state had Sir Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavsinhji (b. 1912 -d. 1965) and Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja (b. 1895 -d. 1966) as acting and regular Rajpramukh respectively. Meanwhile Maharana Maharaja Shri Raj MAYURDHWAJSINHJI MEGHRAJJI III GHANSHYAMSINHJI Sahib, on the establishment of the United State of Kathiawar (Saurashtra) in 1948, was installed as Uprajpramukh (Deputy Rajpramukh) and he served as Acting Rajpramukh during the absence of the Rajpramukh. Karnataka (known as Mysore state till 1st Nov 1973) had Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur (b. 1919 -d. 1974) as Rajpramukh. He continued as Governor from 1st November 1956 to 4th May 1964. He held office as Governor of Tamilnadu (then known as Madras State) from 4th May 1964 to 26th June 1966. Kerala state (known as Travancore-Cochin state till 1 st Nov 1956) had Sir Bala Rama Varma II (b. 1912 -d. 1991) as Rajpramukh from 1 Jul 1949 - 31 Oct 1956. Madhya Bharat which was integrated into the new state of Madhya Pradesh had Sir George Jivaji Rao Scindia (b. 1916 -d. 1961) as Rajpramukh from 28th May 1948 to 31st Oct 1956. The Maharana of Udaipur was appointed as Rajpramukh and Kota Naresh was appointed as Up- Rajpramukh of Union of many former princely states of Rajasthan, and subsequently Maharana Bhupal Singh of Udaipur was appointed as the Maha-Rajpramukh and the Kota Naresh was appointed as the Up- Rajpramukh. Vindhya Pradesh which was integrated into Madhya Pradesh had Martand Singh (b. 1923 - d. 1995) during 1948-49 then passing under the administration of a Chief Commissioner. Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) which was integrated into Punjab State in 1956 had Yadavindra Singh (b. 1913 -d. 1974) as Rajpramukh. Rajasthan had two Rajpramukhs Bhim Singh II (b. 1909 -d. 1991) from 25th March 1948 to 18th April 1948 and Sir Bhopal Singh (b. 1884 -d. 1955) from 18th April 1948 - 1st April 1949. The latter continued with the designation of Maha Rajpramukh from 1st April 1949 to 4th July 1955.
The guarantees and undertakings given by the Union government of India were gradually withdrawn over a twenty-year period after independence. 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. Eventually, the government of Mrs. Gandhi sought to curb their influence which resulted in the abolition of the privy purses guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and the elimination of the princely order itself as per the policy of the Congress party. This process was completed by the end of 1971. Thereafter, the princely order has ceased to be officially recognized. They have since only enjoyed their traditional styles and titles on a social basis.
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