Question 9
Give an account of the initiative and controversies regarding the inclusion of the Native States within India.
Answer
After India gained independence from British rule in 1947, the Indian government sought to bring the princely states, also known as native states, under its jurisdiction. The princely states were semi-autonomous territories ruled by local monarchs and were not directly under British rule.
The Indian National Congress, which was at the forefront of the Indian independence movement, wanted to bring all the princely states under its control. However, some of the rulers were reluctant to join India and preferred to remain independent or join Pakistan. The British government also supported the idea of the princely states remaining independent.
To resolve this issue, the Indian government appointed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, to negotiate with the rulers of the princely states. Patel was successful in persuading most of the rulers to accede to India, using a combination of diplomacy, incentives and threats.
