Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States. (UPSC GS Paper 1 2021)
Integration of princely states into India on eve of independence was crucial last step towards realising the dream of an independent Republic of India. But the difference in conditions, issues and aspirations provided difficulties that required stoic attention.
Administration Issues in Integration of Princely States
- Lapse of British Paramountcy: The Indian Independence Act of 1947 (based on the Mountbatten Plan) provided for the lapse of paramountcy of the British Crown over the Indian states.
- Many of the rulers saw the departure of the British as the ideal moment to declare autonomy and announce their independent statehood on the world map.
- Signing of Instruments of Accession: The instruments of accession executed by the rulers, provided for the accession of states to the Dominion of India (or Pakistan) on three subjects, namely, defence, external affairs and communications.
- Power and Prestige: The princely states were not comfortable with the idea of giving away their power and prestige.
- Some of these states that posed problems were Jodhpur, Bhopal and Travancore before independence and Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir post-independence.
- Availability of Natural Resources: Some of the princely states had good reserves of natural resources, it was believed it could survive on its own and hence wanted to remain independent.
- Connectivity and Agrarian Support: The Rajput princely state, despite having a Hindu king and a large Hindu population, strangely had a tilt towards Pakistan.
- Jinnah is reported to have given the Maharaja a signed blank sheet of paper to list all his demands.
- Peasant Protest: The Telangana Rebellion of 1946–51 was a communist-led insurrection of peasants against the princely state of Hyderabad in the region of Telangana that escalated out of agitations.
Socio-cultural Challenges in Integration of Princely States
- Kashmir: It was a princely state with a Hindu king ruling over a predominant Muslim population which had remained reluctant to join either of the two dominions.
- Hyderabad: It was the largest and richest of all princely states, covering a large portion of the Deccan plateau.
- Nizam Mir Usman Ali was presiding over a largely Hindu population in the princely state.
- He was very clear on his demand for an independent state and blatantly refused to join the Indian dominion.
- Junagadh: The princely state was situated on the southwestern end of Gujarat, also did not accede to the Indian union by August 15, 1947.
- It contained a large Hindu population ruled by the Nawab, Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III.
- On September 15, 1947, Nawab Mahabat Khanji chose to accede to Pakistan ignoring Mountbatten’s views, arguing that Junagadh adjoined Pakistan by sea.
The interim government led by Indian National Congress negotiated for full integration of princely states into India and in exchange he offered to the rulers a tax free privy purses guaranteed under Constitution, the right to retain their titles and their property and palaces. Article 370 acknowledges the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in terms of autonomy and its ability to formulate laws for the state''s permanent residents.
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