The Princely States in India: The Lesser Known Story of Their Integration

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

© 2018 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal

Volume 5 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2018

Authors : Jahnavi Sharma

10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V5I3P106

How to Cite?

Jahnavi Sharma, "The Princely States in India: The Lesser Known Story of Their Integration," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 5,  no. 3, pp. 20-21, 2018. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V5I3P106

Abstract:

When India attained independence from the British colonial rule, 562 princely states existed with their respective ruling princes and families. At that time, they were given a choice to either join India or Pakistan or stay independent; India is a united country today. What was it that made the princes accede to India when they could have been independent sovereign kings? This research paper looks into the first attempt at the integration of the princely states of India, the task completed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel eventually.

Keywords:

 princely states, integration, colonial rule, viceroy, federation, paramountcy, world war II.

References:

[1] V. P. Menon, The Story of the Integration of the Indian States. India: Archive.org, 1956 
[2] Panchanandas Mukherji, Indian Constitutional Documents 1773 – 1915. Calcutta, India: Thacker Spink and Co. 1915 
[3] Motilal Nehru Report, 1928: Constituent Assembly Debates Website 
[4] H. V. Hodsun, The Great Indian Divide, Britain-India-Pakistan, Oxford University Press. 1997 
[5] P. E. Roberts, History of British India, 2nd Edition, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1938 
[6] Indian Round Table Conference, Second Session, Third Report of the Federal Committee, Sub-Committees‟ Reports and Prime Minister‟s Statement, 1932 
[7] Government of India Act 1935, Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1935