After India gained its independence, which of the following feudatory states was the last to merge with Odisha?

The correct answer is Mayurbhanj.

Key Points

• After India attained independence in 1947, the process of integrating princely states into the Indian Union embarked on a structured path.
• Among these, Mayurbhanj holds the distinction of being the last princely state to merge with Odisha.
• This significant event took place in January 1949, marking an essential milestone in Odisha's political geography and its incorporation into the Indian democratic framework.
• The integration of Mayurbhanj, alongside other princely states, was crucial for the Indian government's objective of unifying disparate territories into a single, coherent nation-state, thereby ensuring administrative uniformity and the extension of the newly independent country's legal and social frameworks across diverse regions.