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reconcile the various points of view, the following provisions were included in the Covenant:—

(i) The Ruler of Patiala was to be the first Rajpramukh and was to hold office during his life-time.

(ii) As in the case of the United State of Gwalior, Indore and Malwa, the Rulers of this Union will have for the purposes of election of the Rajpramukh such number of votes as is equal to the number of lakhs in the population of their States. The Ruler of Patiala will not exercise his vote in the election of the Up-Rajpramukh.

(iii) The two non-salute States of Nalagarh and Kalsia will alternately hold one seat on the Council of Rulers.

The State so constituted comprises an area of 10,099 square miles with a population of 3,424,060 and a revenue of about Rs 50 millions.

The United State of Rajasthan.

134. The integration of Rajputana States was completed in three stages. The Rajasthan Union was originally formed by the smaller Raj-Putana States in the south-east, namely Banswara (including Kushalgarh), Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kishengarh, Kotah, Partabgarh, Shahpura and Tonk. These States formed a contiguous area with ethnic, linguistic and cultural affinities. The integration of these States in the contemplated United State of Madhya Bharat was also considered, but it was found that the natural affinity of these States was more with Rajputana than with Madhya Bharat. The territories of these nine States were accordingly united together to form the United State of Rajasthan with an area of 16,807 square miles, a population of 2,334,220 and an average annual revenue of over Rs. 19 millions. The United State of Rajasthan so constituted was inaugurated on 25th March, 1948.

135. Subsequently the Ruler of Mewar expressed willingness to join the Rajasthan Union. Having regard to the facts that the State of Mewar was in a position to stand by itself and that the resources of the State would greatly add to the strength of the Union, it was decided to modify the Covenant in the following respects:—

(a) The Maharana of Mewar was to be the Rajpramukh during his life-time.

(b) The Maharso of Kotah was to be the senior Up-Rajpramukh.