Editing Rajpramukh (section)

==After 1956==

On 1 November 1956, the [[States Reorganization Act]] took effect, which erased the distinction between parts A, B, and C states, and reorganised 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 (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, India|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 recognised by the Government of India. When they were recognised 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 elections either as independents  or by joining political parties. Growing popularity and success of many of the former royalty in the hustings particularly Maharani [[Gayatri Devi]] of Jaipur and [[Rajmata of Gwalior]], [[Vijaya Raje Scindia]] among others was not to the liking of Mrs. Indira Gandhi who had become prime Minister by 1966.

By the year 1969 Indian National Congress had split into [[Indian National Congress (O)|Congress (Organisational)]] and [[Indian National Congress (R)|Congress (Requisitionist)]]. Congress (R) was headed by Mrs. Indira Gandhi and to score public support she coined slogans like Garibi Hatao (Stop Poverty) which included promise to abolish the royal order. She de-recognized all the Maharajahs by a presidential order in 1969. But this was struck down by the [[Supreme Court of India]]. Eventually, the government by the 26th [[List of amendments of the Constitution of India|Amendment of the Constitution of India]] was successful in abolishing the Princely order. This process was completed by the end of 1971. Though a challenge to this amendment was mounted in the Supreme Court, the court neither heard the matter immediately nor 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 seem to have adapted well. Former royals like [[Captain Amarinder Singh]] - [[Maharaja of Patiala]], Maharani [[Vasundhara Raje Scindia]]  of Dholpur even rose to post of  Chief Ministers of Punjab and Rajasthan respectively till recently.  Many others like [[Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar]] - [[Maharaja of Mysore]] and his heir [[Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar]], [[V. P. Singh]], [[Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji|Digvijay Singh]], [[Madhavrao Scindia]] and his son [[Jyotiraditya Scindia]],  [[Arjun Singh (politician, born 1930)|Arjun Singh]],  and many others have been active politics and been prime minister, governors, ministers, MPs and MLAs at different times.