Question

Who assisted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the integration of princely states?

• A. C. Rajagopalachari
• B. V.P. Menon
• C. Jawaharlal Nehru
• D. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Answer 1

Answer:

B. V.P. Menon

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.