Modern Period (1707 - 1947)
The demise of Aurangzeb marked the end of the Mughal Dominion around 1707 and the Marathas headed by Shivaji, gained supremacy in Northern India including Rajasthan. In 1775 they captured Ajmer.
However the British colonial power put an end to the Maratha ascendancy in the late 17th century and established their suzerainty in the state of Rajasthan and other parts of India. In 1817-18 the British Raj resolved treaties of alliance with most of the states of Rajputana (currently known as Rajasthan).
The Rajput rulers were allowed to maintain their prestige and positions but the original powers were transferred into the hands of the British; in fact the Rajput Rajas became mere puppets in the hands of the British rulers.
However over-dominance of the British colonial powers led to discontentment and discord and this resulted in the sepoy mutiny and the great revolt of 1857 wherein the political powers of the East India Company was transferred to the British Crown.
Emergence of the state of Rajasthan- The Rajputana State of Rajasthan consisted of nineteen princely states and at the time of Indian Independence which was later united into a single whole following a prolonged process of integration.
At first in 17th March, 1948, the south-eastern and the southern states of Rajputana and Mewar merged together to form the United State of Rajasthan.
At that time Udaipur became the capital of the state and the Maharaja or the chieftain of Udaipur was conferred upon the title of Rajpramukh (head of state) and the Manikya Lal Varma became the prime minister of the new state.
Then in 1949, the kingdoms of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jaipur signed the Instrument of Accession and united with the state of Rajasthan and the Maharaja of Jaipur - Man Singh II became the Rajpramukh. Later the state of Matsya consisting of Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli and Dholpur was integrated with Rajasthan.
In 1stNovember, 1956, finally the entire state of present day Rajasthan came into existence with the amalgamation of Ajmer-Merwara, Abu Rd and a portion of Dilwara. It became the largest state in geographical expanse.
Constitutionally, the chieftains or princes of the kingdoms of Rajasthan were granted adequate remuneration known as privy purses to fulfill their financial obligations. Some of the most eminent states of Rajasthan that enjoyed the privilege of privy purses were- Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Tonk, Dholpur, Jaisalmer and Nimrana .However in 1970, the prominent political personality put an end to this practice.
Currently, including the new district of Karauli, there are 32 districts, 105 sub-divisions, 37889 villages, 241 tehsils and 222 towns in Rajasthan.
Overall Rajasthan is a vibrant state where tradition and history blend with contemporary life styles. People are proud of their heritage and yet open to change western values.