Integration of the princely states

British India had two parts: provinces ruled directly by the British, and Princely States ruled by Indian princes (rajas, nawabs, the Nizam) who accepted British paramountcy (supreme power). The princely states covered about one-third of the land, and one in four Indians lived in them.

When the British left, paramountcy lapsed. In theory, all 565 princely states became free to join India, join Pakistan, or stay independent. If many had chosen independence, India would have broken into hundreds of pieces.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, led the task of bringing them in. His approach was firm but diplomatic: he persuaded the rulers, offered them privileges, and made clear that refusal was not a real option. Almost all rulers signed the Instrument of Accession, agreeing to join India.

Four cases were difficult: Junagadh, Hyderabad, Kashmir and Manipur.

Hyderabad, the largest princely state, was ruled by the Nizam, who wanted independence. His para-military force, the Razakars, attacked people, especially the peasants who had risen against the Nizam in the Telangana region. In September 1948, the Indian army moved in, and within days the Nizam surrendered and Hyderabad joined India.

Manipur: its Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession just before independence. Under pressure from the people, elections were held there in June 1948, making Manipur the first part of India to hold an election under universal adult franchise. In September 1949, the Maharaja signed a Merger Agreement without consulting the elected assembly, which caused lasting resentment.

Note that it was mainly the rulers, not the people of these states, who decided to join India. Patel's achievement was to unite the country quickly and almost without bloodshed.