Polity Chapters

1. Evolution of Indian Constitution2. Constituent Assembly and Making of the Constitution3. Different Sources of the Indian Constitution4. Important Articles of the Constitution5. Important Amendments of the Constitution6. Some Special features of the Indian Constitution7. Federal and Unitary features of the Indian Union8. The Preamble9. Lapse of Paramountcy10. Integration and Merger of Indian States11. The Union and its Territories12. Reorganization of States13. Citizenship14. Fundamental Rights15. Directive Principles of State Policy16. Fundamental Duties17. Procedure of Amending the Constitution18. Executive of the Union19. The Parliament of India20. President of India21. Vice President22. Prime Minister23. Council of Ministers24. Lok Sabha25. Rajya Sabha26. Vidhan Sabha27. Vidhan Parishad28. Governor29. Chief Minister30. State Council of Ministers31. The Parliament of India32. NITI Aayog33. Executive of the States34. Special Position of J and K35. Panchayats36. Municipalities37. The Supreme Court38. The High Court39. Inter-State Council40. Finance Commission41. Planning Commission42. National Development Council43. National Integration Council44. Inter State Relations45. Emergency Provisions46. Public Service Commissions47. Election48. Delimitation Commission of India49. The Official Languages50. National Symbols51. Glossary of Constitutional Terms

Integration and Merger of Indian States

“The process through which princely states were merged into the Indian Union after independence to create a united India.”

Background

After the lapse of British paramountcy in 1947, more than 560 princely states were free to join India, Pakistan, or remain independent. To form a unified nation, it was essential to integrate these states into the Indian Union.

Key Steps in Integration

  • Instruments of Accession: Princely states signed this legal document to join either India or Pakistan, giving the new nation control over defense, foreign affairs, and communications.
  • Political Negotiations: Leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V. P. Menon negotiated with rulers to persuade them to accede to India.
  • Merger Agreements: Smaller states were merged with larger neighboring states to simplify administration.
  • Police Action: In some cases like Hyderabad and Junagadh, military intervention was used to integrate resistant states.

Significant Cases

  • Hyderabad: Initially reluctant, Hyderabad was integrated after police action in 1948.
  • Junagadh: Acceded to Pakistan, but India annexed it following popular demand and plebiscite.
  • Jammu & Kashmir: Acceded to India in 1947 under special circumstances, leading to ongoing disputes.
  • Integration of smaller states: Many smaller princely states were merged to form states like Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, and PEPSU.

Previous Year Questions

  • HSSC 2019: What were the Instruments of Accession?
  • Legal documents signed by princely states to join India or Pakistan, ceding control over defense, foreign affairs, and communications.
  • SSC JE 2018: Which princely state was integrated into India through police action?
  • Hyderabad
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