Question

Who among the following played a decisive role in integrating the Princely States of India?

• A. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• B. Jawaharlal Nehru
• C. Mahatma Gandhi
• D. C. Rajagopalachari

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Integration of Princely States

• There were around six hundred princely states in pre- independent India, in addition to the territories directly ruled by the British.

• Britain gave these princely states the options to join either India or Pakistan or to be independent.

• The integration was really a herculean task and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the Union Minister entrusted with this mission. He appointed V.P.Menon, a Keralite, as Secretary of the Department of States

• Following the diplomacy of the government and popular protests, majority of the princely states signed the Instrument of Accession and joined Indian Union.

• But some states such as Hyderabad, Kashmir and Junagarh resented. Finally they were also integrated into the Indian Union through conciliation talks and military interventions.