Discuss the problem that impeded the integration of the princely states in the Indian Union. How were these problems tackled?
The Indian leaders expected the integration of the Princely States into the Indian union to be . Indirect rule of the British upon these states and a relative degree of freedom enjoyed by the princes was bound to create reluctance in them to accede to the Indian union.
After the conclusion of the World War II, the Congress adopted a resolution of Non-Cooperation. It led to a series of measures by British government.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played an important role in the integration of the states and was given the title Iron Man of India in recognition of his efforts. He employed clever diplomacy with the rules as well as appealed to the patriotic sentiment of the people to join the Indian dominion in matters of defence, communication and external affairs. The three areas which were part of the paramountcy of the crown and over which the states had no control.
By 15th August, 1947, 136 states had joined the Indian Union but others remained precariously outside.
Mainly Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir did not sign the instrument of accession.
They were dealt in the following manner:
The Indian leaders expected the integration of the Princely States into the Indian union to be . Indirect rule of the British upon these states and a relative degree of freedom enjoyed by the princes was bound to create reluctance in them to accede to the Indian union.
After the conclusion of the World War II, the Congress adopted a resolution of Non-Cooperation. It led to a series of measures by British government.
- The Cripps Mission (1942),
- Wavell Plan (1945),
- Cabinet Mission (1946) and
- Atlee's Statement of February (1947),
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played an important role in the integration of the states and was given the title Iron Man of India in recognition of his efforts. He employed clever diplomacy with the rules as well as appealed to the patriotic sentiment of the people to join the Indian dominion in matters of defence, communication and external affairs. The three areas which were part of the paramountcy of the crown and over which the states had no control.
By 15th August, 1947, 136 states had joined the Indian Union but others remained precariously outside.
Mainly Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir did not sign the instrument of accession.
They were dealt in the following manner:
- Junagarh wanted to join Pakistan, but in a plebiscite the repressive attitude of nawab was overridden and decision was made in favour of India.
- Hyderabad wanted a sovereign status. It signed a standstill agreement with India in November 1947.
- Kashmir-The state had a Hindu prince and Muslim majority population. The prince envisaged a sovereign status for the state and was reluctant to accede to either of the dominions.
- Incorporating smaller states into contiguous provinces listed in Part A-Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat.
- Making some states as centrally, administered for strategic or special reason listed in Part C-Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, etc.
- Creating Unions-Rajasthan, Patiala and East Punjab States Union etc.