​What were ‘privy purses’?​​

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: D: Pensions paid to the princes after integration

Explanation:

• Privy purses were payments made to the princely families of India after the country gained independence and the princely states were integrated into the Indian Union.
• These payments were essentially pensions provided to the former rulers of the princely states as part of the agreement during their integration into India. The payments were made in exchange for the princes giving up their political power and privileges.
• The concept of privy purses was introduced after the States Reorganisation in 1947 and continued until the 1970s.

Information Booster:

• Purpose: The privy purse was meant to ensure that the royal families would be compensated for losing their sovereignty and to maintain their dignity.
• Abolishment: The system of privy purses was abolished in 1971 during Indira Gandhi's government through the 26th Amendment to the Indian Constitution, which also eliminated titles and privileges for the princely families.