Write a short note on the integration of princely states into Indian Union.
Answer»
There were around six hundred princely states in pre-independent India.
The princely states were given the option to join any union.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the Union Minister for the Department of States.
V.P. Menon was the Secretary of the Department of States.
Patel and V.P. Menon prepared an Instrument of Accession.
Princely states had to hand over their control over defence, information, and communication, external affairs to the Government of India.
All princely states except Junagarh, Hyderabad, Kashmir joined in the Indian Union.
Later on these states were integrated into the Indian union through conciliation talks and military interventions under the initiative of Patel and V.P. Menon led the process.