The princely states of Punjab were integrated to form:

The correct answer is: c) PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union)

The princely states of Punjab were integrated to form the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) in 1948. PEPSU was a union of 16 princely states in the Punjab region of British India. The states were:

• Patiala
• East Punjab States
• Kapurthala
• Jind
• Faridkot
• Malerkotla
• Kalsia
• Nalagarh
• Mandi
• Suket
• Bilaspur
• Chamba
• Bashahr
• Sirmur

PEPSU was a member of the Indian Union from 1948 to 1956. In 1956, PEPSU was merged with the East Punjab region of British India to form the new state of Punjab.

The other options are incorrect because:

• Option (a), The state of Punjab, is incorrect because the princely states of Punjab were not integrated to form the state of Punjab. The princely states of Punjab were integrated to form the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).
• Option (b), Himachal Pradesh, is incorrect because the princely states of Punjab were not integrated to form Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh was formed in 1971 from the PEPSU region of Punjab.
• Option (d), Haryana, is incorrect because the princely states of Punjab were not integrated to form Haryana. Haryana was formed in 1966 from the PEPSU region of Punjab.