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How Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Integrated 562 Princely States ?

There was change of policy of British Government towards princely states after revolution of 1857. The British Government abdicated policy of annexation of princely states. Princely states had accepted the paramountcy of the British Government but were free to run their internal administration. British Government controlled defense and external affairs of these Princely States. The British Government controlled the Princely States through its Political Department which had placed residents in bigger States and political agents in smaller States.

Thus, at the time of independence India consisted of British India consisting of provinces directly ruled by the British and 562 princely states.  Some princely States were very big while there were many princely states which consisted of few square kilometers. The British Government has devised a hierarchy of Princely States on the basis of Gun Salutes which varied from twenty-one to nine. Hyderabad, Kashmir, Mysore, Gwalior and Baroda enjoyed twenty-one  gun salutes.

Cabinet Mission Plan has envisaged an All India Federation which could not succeed due to difference between Congress and Muslim League. Under Mountbatten Plan India was partitioned in two new nations i.e. India and Pakistan. Paramountcy of the British Government was to lapse and Princely States were given freedom to join either India, Pakistan or remain independent.

Such a great number of Princely States were a great challenge for India. After lapse of paramountcy many of Princely States were willing to remain independent and some of them were even planning to make union of princely states.

Task of political integration of India was assigned to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. Political Department was abolished and a new department called States Department was created headed by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel appointed V. P. Menon as his secretary. V. P. Menon was not any ICS officer but has joined as clerk and rose through the rank.

Integration of Princely States were done in two stages   (i) Accession of Princely States and (ii) Merger of Princely States.

Signing of Instrument of Accession by Princely States

Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon devised a plan to integrate Indian through Instrument of Accession.  Princely States were told that they have to cede defence, external affairs and communication to the Government of India. They were free to run their internal administration.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V. P. Menon successfully negotiated with Princely States. Lord Mountbatten also supported them in their effort. Most of the Princely States were integrated through instrument of accession before independence itself. Two agreements were signed between Government of India and these princely states. By instrument of accession, Princely States ceded defense, external affairs and communication to  Government of India while by Standstill Agreement, the existing agreements between of  British Government with Princely States were continued.

Serious issues were faced in integration of  Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir.

Nizam of Hyderabad was not ready to sign the instrument although it was landlocked state. Popular uprising was also taking place for responsible government in Hyderabad.  Instrument of accession was signed with military intervention.

Nawab of Junagarh was willing to join Pakistan although 80% of population was Hindu. Popular uprising started against the Nawab. Government of India had intervene  and Junagarh was annexed after a plebiscite was conducted there.

The ruler of  Kashmir  Hari Singh has also declared his intent to be independent.  Kashmir faces attack from pathan tribes. Hari Singh sought military help from India. Government of India was ready to help only after signing of instrument of accession. After Hari Singh signed instrument of accession, India did military intervention in Kashmir.

Merger of Princely States

It was realized that mere accession of Princely States were not sufficient. Many of smaller states were not viable to run their administration. Popular movement was also taking place within them for responsible governments. Policy of merger of princely states were framed against offering of privy purses of around 10 % of revenue of these States.  The duo of Saradar Vallabhbhai Patel and V. P. Menon was successful in merging Princely States.   Firstly, smaller princely states of  Eastern Princely States were merged in adjoining states of Orissa and Bihar. Numerous princely states of Kathiawar was merged. Rajputana princely states were also merged.

Privy Purses  to the rulers were abolished by Government headed by Indira Gandhi vide 26th Amendment of the Indian Constitution.  

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Mukesh Kumar Suman is an advocate and legal author based at Delhi. He regularly appears before various Judicial Forums including NCLT, NCLAT, High Courts and the Supreme Court. He can be approached at mukesh_suman@outlook.com or +91 9717864570.

Mukesh Kumar Suman

Mukesh Kumar Suman

Mukesh Kumar Suman is an advocate based at Delhi. He has rich experience in civil, criminal, commercial, arbitration and corporate insolvency matters. He regularly appears before District Courts, NCLT, NCLAT, High Court and the Supreme Court. He can be approached at mukesh_suman@outlook.com or +91 9717864570.

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