Merger of the princely states
If a few pieces of a big puzzle remain aside, the picture does not look complete. After independence the princely states had to be joined to India to complete the picture.
Princely states were regions under British overlordship but ruled by kings. After independence they were merged into India under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Key idea 1 : The problem and Patel’s role — Under the Independence Act the princely states had the option of joining India or Pakistan, or staying independent. Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his secretary V. P. Menon held talks with the rulers and persuaded them to sign the ‘Instrument of Accession’. Most of the states joined India before 15 August 1947.
Key idea 2 : Junagadh — The Nawab of Junagadh decided in September 1947 to join Pakistan, but most of its people were Hindu and Junagadh was surrounded by Indian territory. India did not accept this decision. To know the people’s wish a plebiscite was held in February 1948 and Junagadh joined India.
Key idea 3 : Kashmir — Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir had not decided at first. In October 1947 tribal raiders invaded Kashmir and on 26 October 1947 the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession to India.
- Easy : Who was responsible for merging the states into India? — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- Medium : How was Junagadh decided? — By a plebiscite in February 1948; it joined India.
- Exam-type : When did Kashmir join India? — On 26 October 1947.
In the figure: Most states joined by signing an agreement, while Junagadh, Kashmir and Hyderabad joined by different paths.
What happened before the Junagadh plebiscite? In September 1947 the Nawab of Junagadh announced the decision to join Pakistan. Junagadh could connect to Pakistan only by sea and was surrounded by Indian territory. In October the Nawab went to Karachi with his family.
What happened after the Junagadh plebiscite? Sardar Patel gave Pakistan time to reverse its acceptance and to hold a plebiscite. In the plebiscite held on 20 February 1948 an overwhelming majority of people voted for India and Junagadh became a part of India.
Most states before 15 August 1947; Junagadh = plebiscite (1948); Kashmir = 26 October 1947.
Not all states merged in the same way; some by agreement, some by plebiscite and Hyderabad by military action.
Memory clue: Remember ‘agreement-plebiscite-agreement-action’ — most states by agreement, Junagadh by plebiscite, Kashmir by agreement, Hyderabad by action. Memory clue: four words for four states.
Spot the difference
| State | Path | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Junagadh | Plebiscite | 1948 |
| Kashmir | Instrument of Accession | 1947 |
| Hyderabad | Military action (Operation Polo) | 1948 |
Practice questions
- 1What are princely states?
- 2Which options did the princely states have under the Independence Act?
- 3Who was V. P. Menon?
- 4Where did the Nawab of Junagadh go?
- 5Why was a plebiscite held in Junagadh?
- 6Why did Maharaja Hari Singh sign the Instrument of Accession?
- 7What happened next after the Nawab of Junagadh’s decision?
- 8What advantage might India have gained from the merger of the states?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Regions under British overlordship but ruled by kings.
- 2To join India or Pakistan, or to stay independent.
- 3Sardar Patel’s secretary; he held talks with the rulers for the merger.
- 4To Karachi, in Pakistan.
- 5To learn the wish of the people.
- 6Because of the invasion by tribal raiders.
- 7Patel offered a plebiscite; after the plebiscite of 20 February 1948 Junagadh joined India.
- 8The country’s unity and administrative integration were achieved.
Hyderabad Mukti Sangram
If someone else’s harsh order is imposed in our own village, people unite and raise their voice. The people of Marathwada, Karnataka and Telangana in Hyderabad state fought in the same way.
The Hyderabad Mukti Sangram was the struggle to merge the Nizam’s state into India and to gain democratic rights for the people; it ended in September 1948.
Key idea 1 : The Nizam’s position — After independence Mir Osman Ali Khan, the Nizam of Hyderabad, refused to merge the state with India and tried to stay independent. The ‘Razakar’ organisation of Qasim Razvi committed atrocities against the people.
Key idea 2 : The people’s struggle — The Hyderabad State Congress under Swami Ramanand Tirth held satyagrahas against the Nizam’s rule. People of Marathwada, Telangana and Karnataka took part. The people wanted civil liberties and responsible government.
Key idea 3 : Operation Polo — On 13 September 1948 the Government of India began military action; it was called a ‘police action’ and the code name was ‘Operation Polo’. On 17 September the Nizam announced a ceasefire and Hyderabad merged with India. In Maharashtra this day is observed as ‘Marathwada Mukti Din’.
- Easy : Whose organisation was the Razakars? — Qasim Razvi.
- Medium : Who led the Hyderabad State Congress? — Swami Ramanand Tirth.
- Exam-type : When did Operation Polo take place? — 13 to 17 September 1948.
In the figure: The Nizam’s refusal, the people’s struggle, Operation Polo and the merger on 17 September 1948.
What happened before Operation Polo? On 7 September 1948 Prime Minister Nehru gave the Nizam an ultimatum: ban the Razakars and allow Indian troops to return to Secunderabad. Earlier India had also put an economic blockade on Hyderabad. The negotiations brought no result.
What happened after Operation Polo? At 4 a.m. on 13 September 1948 the Indian army entered Hyderabad from several directions. Within five days, on 17 September, the Nizam announced a ceasefire over Deccan Radio and on 18 September the Nizam’s forces surrendered. The state merged into India.
7 September = ultimatum; 13 = action; 17 = ceasefire; 18 = surrender.
Operation Polo was not only against the Nizam; it was to stop the atrocities of the Razakars and to merge the state into India.
Memory clue: Remember ‘7-13-17’ — ultimatum, action, ceasefire. Memory clue: “seven warns, thirteen acts, seventeen ends”.
Spot the difference
| Event | Date | Main point |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimatum | 7 September 1948 | Ban the Razakars |
| Operation Polo | 13 September 1948 | Military action |
| Ceasefire | 17 September 1948 | Marathwada Mukti Din |
Practice questions
- 1What did the Nizam do after independence?
- 2Who were the Razakars?
- 3When is Marathwada Mukti Din observed?
- 4What did the Hyderabad State Congress demand?
- 5Why was Operation Polo called a ‘police action’?
- 6State the work of Swami Ramanand Tirth.
- 7What happened next after the ultimatum of 7 September?
- 8What is the importance of 17 September 1948?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1He refused to merge the state with India and tried to stay independent.
- 2Members of Qasim Razvi’s organisation; they committed atrocities against people.
- 3On 17 September.
- 4Civil liberties and responsible government.
- 5Because India regarded Hyderabad as an internal matter.
- 6He led the Hyderabad State Congress and held satyagrahas against the Nizam’s rule.
- 7On 13 September the Indian army began action and within five days the Nizam surrendered.
- 8On this day the Nizam announced a ceasefire and Hyderabad merged with India.
Liberation of French and Portuguese colonies
Even if most of a house is ours, it does not feel complete if one room remains in someone else’s hands. In the same way, even after independence some parts of India remained with the French and the Portuguese.
The French held Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam and Chandernagore; the Portuguese held Goa, Daman, Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. These parts merged with India in stages.
Key idea 1 : The French colonies — After a vote held in 1949 at Chandernagore it merged with India in 1950. Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam joined India in 1954 after peaceful negotiations.
Key idea 2 : Dadra and Nagar Haveli — In July–August 1954 local people and organisations from Goa rose against Portuguese rule and freed Dadra and Nagar Haveli. This inspired the freedom fighters in Goa.
Key idea 3 : Goa liberation struggle — On 18 June 1946 Dr Ram Manohar Lohia held a satyagraha at Margao for civil liberties in Goa. Many satyagrahas followed, but Portugal was not ready to leave Goa. Finally on 18–19 December 1961 the Indian forces carried out ‘Operation Vijay’ and Goa, Daman and Diu joined India.
- Easy : With whom was Chandernagore? — With the French.
- Medium : Under whom was Goa? — The Portuguese.
- Exam-type : Which is Goa Liberation Day? — 19 December.
In the figure: The Margao satyagraha, Chandernagore, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and the liberation of Goa — stages of freeing the colonies.
What happened before the Margao meeting? In 1946 Dr Ram Manohar Lohia had come to Goa for rest, to stay with his friend Dr Juliao Menezes. Seeing that the Portuguese had banned civil liberties, local workers requested him to lead.
What happened after the Margao meeting? On 18 June 1946 he defied the ban, held a public meeting at Margao and courted arrest. This day is celebrated as ‘Goa Revolution Day’. After that the freedom movement in Goa gained momentum.
What happened before Operation Vijay? India’s attempts to persuade Portugal through talks to leave Goa failed. After Dadra and Nagar Haveli were freed in 1954 the movement in Goa was inspired.
What happened after Operation Vijay? The 36-hour ‘Operation Vijay’ which began on 18 December 1961 ended on 19 December; the Portuguese Governor Vassalo e Silva surrendered and Goa, Daman and Diu joined India. 19 December is celebrated as ‘Goa Liberation Day’.
18 June 1946 = Goa Revolution Day; 1954 = Dadra and Nagar Haveli; 19 December 1961 = Goa Liberation Day.
Goa Liberation Day and Goa Revolution Day are different; Revolution Day is on 18 June and Liberation Day on 19 December.
Memory clue: Remember ‘June-December’ — 18 June revolution, 19 December liberation. Memory clue: June = beginning (revolution), December = end (liberation).
Spot the difference
| Colony | Held by | Merger |
|---|---|---|
| Chandernagore | French | 1950 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | Portuguese | Freed in 1954 |
| Goa, Daman, Diu | Portuguese | 19 December 1961 |
Practice questions
- 1Which were the five parts under the French?
- 2Which were the territories under the Portuguese?
- 3When is Goa Revolution Day celebrated?
- 4How did Chandernagore merge with India?
- 5What was ‘Operation Vijay’?
- 6What did Dr Lohia do on 18 June 1946?
- 7What effect did the freeing of Dadra and Nagar Haveli have on Goa?
- 8Why did India finally take military action for Goa?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam and Chandernagore.
- 2Goa, Daman, Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- 3On 18 June.
- 4After a vote in 1949, in 1950.
- 5The 36-hour action of 18–19 December 1961 that freed Goa, Daman and Diu.
- 6He defied the ban at Margao, held a meeting and courted arrest.
- 7The freedom movement in Goa was inspired.
- 8Because attempts at talks failed and Portugal was not ready to leave Goa.