In 1947, India comprised British Indian Provinces and the Princely States. The British Indian Provinces were directly under the British Crown, whereas the Princely States enjoyed some form of control over their internal affairs as long as they accepted British Paramountcy or Suzerainty. In 1947, the Princely States covered 40% of the area of pre-independence India and constituted 23% of its population.

Sardar Patel and the Integration of Princely States

End of British Paramountcy: With the end of British rule, the paramountcy of the British crown over the nearly 565 Princely States would also lapse and they would become legally independent. 

• Discretion to Princely Rulers: The British wanted these states to be free to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent if they so wished. This was to be decided by the princely rulers and not the people of these states. 
• Threat to unity: This was a very serious problem and could threaten the very existence of a united India.
  • The Ruler of Travancore decided on Independence. 
  • The Nizam of Hyderabad also stated the same the next day. 
  • Rulers like the Nawab of Bhopal were averse to joining the Constituent Assembly.
• Balkanisation of India: This meant that after Independence, there was a very real possibility of the balkanization of India into several small countries. 

Sardar Patel and His Role in the Integration of India

Sardar Patel, India’s Deputy Prime Minister, and Home Minister in 1947, played a historic role in India’s integration, by negotiating with the rulers of princely states firmly but diplomatically and bringing most of them into the Indian Union. 

• Complicated Task: It was a very complicated task that required skillful persuasion. For instance, there were 26 small states in today’s Orissa. The Saurashtra region of Gujarat had 14 big states, 119 small states, and numerous other different administrations. 
• Government’s Approach: The government’s approach was guided by three considerations:
  • People’s Will: the people of most of the princely states wanted to become part of the Indian Union. 
  • Accommodating Plurality: The government was prepared to be flexible in giving autonomy to some regions. The idea was to accommodate plurality and adopt a flexible approach to dealing with the demands of the regions. 
  • Consolidation of Territory: The partition of territories during Independence had brought focus on the integration and consolidation of the territorial boundaries of the nation. 
• Peaceful Negotiations & Accession: Before 15 August 1947, peaceful negotiations had brought almost all states whose territories were contiguous to the new boundaries of India, into the Indian Union. Mostly, the Princely State Rulers signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’ which meant that their state agreed to become a part of the Union of India.

Accession of Junagadh, Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Manipur

Accession of the Princely States of Junagadh, Kashmir, Hyderabad, and Manipur proved more difficult than the rest. 

Hyderabad using Police Action (Operation POLO)

• Standstill Agreement: Nizam wanted an independent status for Hyderabad, so he entered into the ‘Standstill Agreement’ with India in November 1947 for a year while negotiations with the Indian government were going on. 
• Opposition to Integration: Communal forces like the Ittehadul-Muslimeen and the Razakars, led by Kasim Rizvi, resisted Hyderabad’s agreement with the Indian government.
• People’s Movement: The Hyderabad State Congress led an agitation against Nizam’s rule, gaining significant support from the peasantry and women, particularly in the Telangana region.
• Police Action (Operation Polo): On September 13, 1948, the Indian army marched into Hyderabad. Fighting continued for a few days and later the Nizam surrendered, leading to Hyderabad’s integration into India.

Junagadh by Referendum

• Initial Accession to Pakistan: The Nawab of Junagadh, a Muslim joined Pakistan on August 15, 1947, despite the state’s Hindu majority.
• Crisis and People’s Movement: Junagadh Nawab fled to Karachi, and a provisional government was formed in Bombay. Samaldas Gandhi formed a government-in-exile.
• Indian Annexation and Referendum: On November 9, 1947, India took over Junagadh. A referendum followed in February 1948 that confirmed the people’s support for accession to India.

Kashmir by the Instrument of Accession

Tribal Invasion: In October 1947, tribal forces from Pakistan invaded Kashmir, which led to panic.

• Instrument of Accession: Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India and agreed to Indian jurisdiction over external affairs, communications, and defense.
• Military and Political Developments: Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar to eliminate the invaders. An interim government under Sheikh Abdullah was formed. 
• Delhi Agreement of 1952: This granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir under the Indian Constitution. The state’s accession was ratified in 1954. Article 370, which provided special status, was repealed on August 5, 2019.

Manipur

Initial Autonomy: Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India, retaining and maintaining internal autonomy.

• Constitutional Monarchy: In June 1948, Manipur held elections and chose to become a constitutional monarchy. Manipur was the first region of India to hold an election based on universal adult franchise.
• Merger with India: In September 1949, the Maharaja signed a Merger Agreement with India without consultation with the Legislative Assembly, causing resentment that persists even today.

Other States

Travancore: Initially refused accession but joined India on July 30, 1947, after an assassination attempt on its Dewan, Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar.

• Jodhpur: Despite initial inclinations towards Pakistan, Maharaja Hanwant Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India on August 11, 1947, after assurances from Patel.
• Bhopal: Nawab Hamidullah Khan, initially seeking independence, joined India after realizing the growing number of states acceding to India.

Ways of Integration of Princely States: Diplomacy, Democratization, and the Evolution of Modern India

• Treaties and Agreements
  • Standstill Agreement: Continued pre-existing agreements and administrative practices.
  • Instrument of Accession: States acceded to India for defense, external affairs, and communications, retaining internal autonomy.
  • New Instruments of Accession (April 1948) Expanded Powers: The union gained legislative authority beyond defense, foreign affairs, and communication.
• Continuous Support of Centre
  • Ministry of States: Established to manage princely state affairs.
  • Subordination to Union: The Federal Center intervened to facilitate merger and democratization.
• Merger with Existing States
  • Administrative Amalgamation: Eastern states merged into Orissa; Kathiawar states into Saurashtra; Deccan and Gujarat into Bombay.
  • Creation of New Units: Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Bharat formed from princely state mergers.
• Initiation of Democracy
  • Democratic Reforms: Introduction of popular, accountable ministries.
  • Equal Governance: Princely states aligned with the rest of India in governance.
  • Direct Intervention Security Measures: Regional commissioners appointed; 4direct administration in troubled states like Hyderabad and Junagarh.
• Role of Princes
  • Absorption as Governors: Princes integrated into Indian polity as governors.
  • Privy Purses: Initially granted as compensation; abolished in 1969.

Conclusion

India owes Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for uniting 565 princely states into the Union, averting national fragmentation. Despite their historical aloofness, Patel’s diplomacy ensured their integration. Post-independence, many princes adapted, entering politics, diplomacy, and public service. The abolition of Privy Purses in the 1970s marked the end of their formal status, yet their legacy endures in various public roles.

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