Rajasthan Diwas

March 29, 2012: I arrived at Jaipur today. Tomorrow is the Rajasthan Diwas, celebrated every year on the 30th of March to commemorate the momentous event of 1949 when modern Rajasthan came into being.

Though the actual process of formation of the state of Rajasthan took eight years to complete (1948 to 1956), the unification of erstwhile princely states into the State of Rajasthan on 30th of March, 1949, is marked and officially observed as the state’s birthday.

Rajasthan – the largest state in India – would be only 63 years old on March 30th, 2012, as per the official records. The history of the region, however, dates back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation.

This year, I have sent Rajasthan Diwas cards which was made available to me by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum Trust (picture).

This photograph was taken on 30th of March, 1949, when the then Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, declared the formation of the State of Rajasthan. To his left is His Highness Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur, who was declared the first Raj Pramukh of Rajasthan (picture).

The erstwhile rulers of the princely states of the Rajputana can also be seen in the photograph.
ess bee