Integration of The Princely States


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Integration of The Princely States

Integration of The Princely States:

  • The Indian Independence Act of 1947 gave princely states an option to accede to the newly born dominions India or Pakistan or continue as an independent sovereign state.
  • At that time more than 500 princely states have covered 48 percent of the area of pre Independent India and constituted 28% of its population.
  • These kingdoms were not legally part of British India, but in reality, they were completely subordinate to the British Crown.
  • For the British these states were the necessary allies, to keep in check the rise of other colonial powers and nationalist tendencies in India.
  • Accordingly, the princes were given autonomy over their territories, but the British acquired for themselves the right to appoint ministers and get military support as and when required.
  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (India’s first deputy prime minister and the home minister) with the assistance of V.P menon (the secretary of the Ministry of the States) was given the formidable task of integrating the princely states.
  • From invoking the patriotism of the princes to remind them of the possibility of anarchy on event of their refusal to join, Patel kept trying to convince them to join India.
  • He also introduced the concept of “privy purses”— a payment to be made to royal families for their agreement to merge with India.
  • Bikaner, Baroda and few other states from Rajasthan were the first ones to join the union.
  • There were several other states that were adamant to not join India. Some of them thought this to be the best moment to acquire independent statehood, while there were others who wanted to become a part of Pakistan.
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    Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    Before the Partition of India in 1947, there were ______ Princely States, also called Native States.

    Right Option : B
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