Princely States in India List, Background, Integration
A total of 565 were existing Princely States in India before 1947, Check out about them, Princely States in India List, Background, Integration in the article below for better understanding.
Parul Rishi26 Mar, 2024
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Princely States in India: Princely states in India, also referred to as native states, were territories ruled by local or regional leaders who had a special relationship with the British Raj. These states were essentially under British protection and influence. When India gained independence in 1947, there were approximately 565 such princely states. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in integrating about 562 of these states into the newly formed nation of India. Check out everything about Princely States in India, in the article below.
Princely States in India
In 1947, when India gained independence, there were more than 500 princely states. They had the choice to join India or Pakistan, or remain independent. These princely states covered a big part of the land, about 48% of pre-independent India, and had 28% of the population. While they weren't legally part of British India, they were under British control. The British saw them as allies to prevent other colonial powers and nationalist movements. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first deputy prime minister, was given the task of convincing these princely states to join India. He used different methods, like appealing to their love for the country and warning them about potential problems if they stayed out. He also introduced "privy purses," payments to royal families who agreed to join India. Some princely states, like Bikaner and Baroda, joined India early on. But others were reluctant. Some wanted independence, while some preferred to be part of Pakistan. This period marked a crucial time in India's history when the country had to unite all these diverse princely states into a single nation.Princely States in India After Independence
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was in charge of bringing together the princely states. He and V.P. Menon created a plan for the kings to join India. This plan was called the 'Instrument of Accession,' and it said that India would take care of foreign affairs, defence, and communication, while the states would handle everything else within their borders.- In 1947, India gained independence, and there were about 565 princely states.
- Sardar Vallabhai Patel's task was to integrate approximately 562 of these princely states into India.
- The Indian Independence Act of 1947 allowed princely states to choose between joining India, joining Pakistan, or remaining independent.
- These princely states accounted for a significant portion of India's population (28%) and land area (48%), even though they were not officially part of British India.
- These princely states were supportive of the British Empire, helping to prevent rival colonial powers and Indian nationalist movements.
- While the princes had authority over their states, the British had influence and could request military assistance.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first deputy prime minister and home minister, took on the challenge of integrating the princely states.
- He persuaded the princes to join India by appealing to their love for the country and warning of potential issues if they didn't.
- Patel introduced the concept of "privy purses" as compensation for royal families agreeing to join India.
- Some states, like Bikaner and Baroda, were among the first to join India, while others were reluctant, and some considered becoming independent or joining Pakistan.
Princely States in India History
Below we have shared the History of Princely States in India for better understanding:Travancore
The southern Indian maritime state of Travancore was in a prime location for trade by sea and had abundant people and valuable minerals. It was among the first princely states to say no to joining the Indian union and question the leadership of the Congress party. By 1946, the leader of Travancore, Sir C.P. Ramamswamy Aiyar, talked about creating an independent Travancore that might consider making an agreement with India. Interestingly, Sir C.P. Aiyar was rumored to have secret connections with the UK government, which wanted an independent Travancore to gain exclusive access to a valuable mineral called monazite, found abundantly in the region. The UK hoped this mineral would give them an advantage in the nuclear arms race. Sir C.P. Aiyar held onto his stance until July 1947. However, he changed his mind shortly after surviving an assassination attempt by a member of the Kerala Socialist Party. On July 30, 1947, Travancore decided to join India.Jodhpur
Despite having a Hindu king and many Hindu people, the princely state of Jodhpur had a strange liking for Pakistan. The young Jodhpur prince, Hanvant Singh, thought he might get a better deal from Pakistan because his state was next to it. Jinnah, the leader of Pakistan, gave the Maharaja a blank piece of paper to write down what he wanted. Jinnah also offered the Maharaja free use of the Karachi port for making and bringing in weapons, along with military and farming help. When Sardar Patel, an important Indian leader, saw the danger of Jodhpur joining Pakistan, he quickly talked to the prince and gave him good reasons to choose India. Patel said he could bring in weapons, connect Jodhpur by train to Kathiawar, and provide food during famines. On August 11, 1947, Maharaja Hanvant Singh, the King of Jodhpur, signed a paper to join India, and so Jodhpur became a part of India.Bhopal
In another part of the country, there was a place that wanted to become an independent state. In this place, there was a leader named Hamidullah Khan, who was a Muslim ruling over mostly Hindu people. He was a good friend of the Muslim League and did not like the Congress party. He told Mountbatten that he wanted his place to be free. But Mountbatten told him that he couldn't just leave the group of countries that were close to him. By July 1947, Hamidullah Khan realized that many other leaders like him had agreed to join India. So, he decided that his place should also become a part of India.Hyderabad
The largest and wealthiest princely state in India was Hyderabad, which covered a significant part of the Deccan plateau. Nizam Mir Usman Ali ruled over a mainly Hindu population in this state. He strongly desired an independent state and firmly refused to join India. Nizam received support from Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and this led to a growing conflict over the status of Hyderabad. Even when leaders like Sardar Patel tried to persuade or even threaten him, Nizam remained resolute. He continued to strengthen his army by importing weapons from Europe. The situation worsened when armed extremists known as Razakars carried out violence against the Hindu residents of Hyderabad. In June 1948, following Lord Mountbatten's resignation, the Indian government decided to take a more decisive step. On September 13, 1948, Indian troops were sent to Hyderabad in a military operation called 'Operation Polo.' Over the course of about four days, Indian forces gained full control of the state, and Hyderabad became an integral part of India. As a gesture of reconciliation, Nizam was appointed as the governor of the state of Hyderabad.Junagadh
In 1947, the princely state of Junagadh, located in southwestern Gujarat, did not accede to the newly formed Indian union by August 15, 1947. It was a significant Kathiawar state with a predominantly Hindu population and was ruled by Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III. On September 15, 1947, the Nawab decided to join Pakistan, even though some people didn't like it. He said Junagadh was close to Pakistan by the sea. This caused problems because two areas under Junagadh, Mangrol and Babariawad, chose to be with India. So, the Nawab used force to take them back. To make Junagadh change its mind, India stopped giving them fuel and coal, and they took control of Mangrol and Babariawad. The Nawab and his family left for Pakistan on October 26, 1947. On November 7, 1947, Junagadh asked India to take over. People voted in February 1948, and most wanted to be part of India. Junagadh became part of Saurashtra, and later, in 1960, it became part of Gujarat.Kashmir
There was once a place called Jammu and Kashmir, and it had a Hindu king who ruled over mostly Muslim people. They didn't want to be part of India or Pakistan. This place was strategically important because it had borders with other countries. The king, Maharaja Hari Singh, asked both India and Pakistan to wait before deciding to join them. Pakistan agreed to wait, but then it sent its army and tribal fighters into Kashmir. This happened on October 24, 1947. The king of Kashmir asked for India's help, and he signed a paper on October 26, 1947, saying that his kingdom wanted to be a part of India. The paper said that India would handle things like foreign affairs, communication, and defence. After this paper was signed, Indian troops came to Kashmir and fought alongside the local people. In 1948, the king announced a temporary government, and in 1951, they had an election to form an assembly. This assembly met for the first time on October 31, 1951. In 1952, India and Jammu & Kashmir signed an agreement giving the state a special position within India. On February 6, 1954, the Jammu & Kashmir assembly said it wanted to be part of India, and India's president made an order that extended India's constitution to Jammu and Kashmir, but with some changes. According to the Jammu & Kashmir constitution, Jammu & Kashmir is and will always be part of India. On August 5, 2019, the President of India made an order that removed the special status that Jammu and Kashmir had under Article 370. This meant that the same rules of India's constitution applied to Jammu and Kashmir, just like they do to other states.Princely States Joined India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in bringing together 562 princely kingdoms into India. Before the Partition of India in 1947, there were around 584 princely states, also known as 'native states,' that were not officially a part of British India. These princely states had the choice to become a part of India, Pakistan, or remain independent after gaining their independence. With his diplomatic skill and tact, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel successfully united numerous princely kingdoms into the Union of India. To succeed in upcoming exams, candidates should consider exploring PW SSC Books We provide high-quality content at an affordable price, including sample papers, mock tests, guidance sessions, and more to ensure aspirants secure their selection. Also, enroll today on SSC Online Coaching to turn your dreams into reality.| Other Related Links | |
| Tiger Reserves in India | National Parks in India |
| Biosphere Reserves in India | Elephant Reserves in India |
Princely States in India FAQs
Q1. Who ruled princely states?
Ans. A local or regional tyrant who had a secondary alliance with the British was in charge of the princely kingdoms.
Q2. Which was the smallest princely state in India?
Ans. The smallest Princely States in India was Vejanoness
Q3. Which is the largest princely state of India?
Ans. Hyderabad was the largest princely state in India.
Q4. How many princely states are there?
Ans. When India and Pakistan became independent in 1947, there were actually 565 princely states. However, most of these states had arrangements with the viceroy to offer public services and collect taxes.
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