Non violent integration princely states in Indian Republic post independence
Introduction
It is a matter of national pride that India attained independence in a non violent way under exemplary leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. This was a big step. But this was just a beginning. West Punjab and East Bengal were separated and transferred to a new state namely Pakistan. There were hundreds of autonomous princely states under suzerainty of British Empire. The policy of annexing the princely states had ended after 1857. British India was virtually a federation with autonomous princely states. Besides there were some protectorates of British India like Sikkim. Additionally, there were some enclaves under Portugal and France. The task of bringing all these under umbrella of Union of India (or Indian dominion) was not a small task. Nobody would like to surrender his identity, authority and privileges voluntarily. Legally speaking, the princes were sovereign after the British left. They could join India, Pakistan or declare independence. Undoubtedly, independence of India was devoid of any meaning as long as these hundreds of princely states retained separate identity. There could be no economic and social reforms unless these were merged with Indian union.
Non violent and phased amalgamation of princely states
Integration of princely states in Union of India (Dominion of India) was obviously an uphill task. Normally, there would bloodshed to win over hundreds of such states. Nowhere in History, any king would have surrendered his privileges and status without stiff armed resistance. Indian leaders had won independence from British in a non violent way. Using violence for integration of princely states would negate the spirit of non violent independence movement. Gandhi opined that independence obtained through violence was unacceptable. Similarly, winning over princely states through use of violence would not be acceptable. Hence integration of princely states was attained through persuasion and in stages. The princes were adequately compensated and also given opportunity to rehabilitate in the new system. It is gratifying that many of them including Karan Singh of Kashmir, Scindia of Gwalior actively participated in the national politics and even became ministers in Union cabinet.
Technically and legally, the princely states were sovereign and independent once the British left. So, they could declare independence or accede to India or Pakistan. It was a herculean task to convince them to relinquish their rights and merge with Indian union. It goes to credit of Lord Mountbatten that he convinced princes in his own unimitable style to cede to Indian dominion. (India was a dominion before adopting own constitution). Lord Mountbatten belonged to British Royal family. Princes relied upon him. Many including Hamidullah Khan, Nawab of Bhopal,were his personal friends. He convinced them that they could not survive as independent states in case of popular uprising, communal or communist violence. He was the Governor General of India immediately after independence and would remain in this position till 1948. He promised to look after their interests. He persuaded Nawab of Bhopal to sign treaty of accession to Dominion of India, which would be in his personal custody and not handed over to anyone, so that he had sufficient time to decide. In case he changed his views, the treaty would be returned. However, the Nawab did not change his decision and acceded to India.
Lord Mountbatten as well as Indian leaders- particularly Vallabh Bhai Patel, Home minister and V.P. Menon his secretary in States Department- made untiring efforts to convince the princes. But this was no so simple. There was resistance by princes of Bhopal, Travancore and Hyderabad.. The Nawab of Hyderabad even appointed his trade representatives in European countries. He entered in negotiatoin with Portugal for acquiring Goa on lease or sale. Some princes even toyed with the idea of a confederation of princely states that would be separate entity apart from India and Pakistan. However, these plans could not succeed for various reasons. The princes could not achieve unity. The Hindu princes considered Muslim s prospective agents of Pakistan. The smaller did not rely on the larger. Most came to accept integration as inevitable. So they could only bargain for better deals.
Many in Britain and other European countries including Churchill, Ion Gopland criticized Mountbatten for betraying the princes. The treaty of accession was not supposed to be total loss of identity of princely states as was done later by Indian leaders. The critics considered this as a betrayal and blamed Mountbatten for not protecting princes' interests. According to Gopand, princes had no option but to sign the treaty of accession. However, some other historians viewed that princes could not survive as independent states after British left. Lord Mountbatten had also told the princes that they would not be given status of dominion of Britain nor support their membership in United Nations nor give protection of British army. This is understandable. When British had to quit India, how could they protect the princely states. The only way was to accede to India or Pakistan. Here also geography matters. How can a princely state surrounded by Indian mainland accede to Pakistan. Apparently, consideration of pragmatism, patriotism and popular opinion influenced princes' decision to accede to India. However, in the beginning, princes were confident that despite acceding to India, they would be autonomous within Union of India. Lord Mountbatten had also this in mind. It is also viewed by many that Pt Nehru and Sardar Patel were initially in favor of moving slow on the plan of full inegration and curtailing authority of princely states. Howver, there was uprising in Orissa in late 1947. This compelled Indian leaders to act fast for integration of princely states. The merger agreements integrated various princely states into Orissa, Central Provinces, Bombay, Madras, East Punjab and Bihar. The merger agreements vested complete judrisdiction for governance in Union of India. The princes were given many guarantees, privy purse, protection of privileges, dignity and private property. They would be still entitled to all customary honor though deprived of real authority. There was also guarantee of absorbing employees of princes in new set up on equal terms and pay as applicable to other staff.
How princely states were integrated
To begin with, smaller princely states were merged with larger ones. All princes would lose power except one designated as Raj Prumukha. The Raj Prumukha was chosen by the council of princes. In May 1948 a meeting of Raj Prumukhs was held in Delhi. New instrument of Accession was signed authorizing Union of India to pass law on all matters falling within seventh schedule of Government of India Act 1935. Except Kashmir, all adopted the Constitution of India as that of the state. Jammu & Kashmir had its own constitution.
The constitution of India categorized states as Part A, B and C states. Part A states were the provinces in British India. Part B states were those created by merging several princely states. Part C states were the centrally administered states headed by commissioners. The Part B states were headed by Raj Prumukhs, chosen by princes. Governors were appointed by Union Government to act as head of Part A states. Thus Part B states were the only states ruled by princes as Raj Prumukh. But the Raj Pramukhs were merely constitutional heads and had to abide by democratic norms and law framed by Union of India. But this arrangement was also short lived. In 1956, states were organized on linguistic basis. Distinction between Part A and Part B states was removed. Governors would be appointed for all states by Union of India. Role of Raj Pramukh or prince ended. The privileges like privy purse, exemption from customs duty etc also ended in 1971. The princes were no more 'His or her Excellency'.
Junagadh and Hyderabad- two exceptions
Sardar vallabh Bhai Patel, then Home Minister was result oriented. Policy of persuasion was adopted and go slow and step by step process of integration followed in order to ensure peaceful and orderly transition of princely state to Union of India. Most princes were patriotic and marched with time. But two princely states- Junagadh and Hyderabad were exceptions. Both were ruled by Muslim princes but their subjects were predominantly Hindu.
Indian army entered Hyderabad on 13-9-1948 and Nizam surrendered. The Nawab of Junagadh signed a treaty of accession with Pakistan despite public opinion to contrary. Consequently, there was unrest in the region. There were two principalities of Junadadh. They declared independence and opted for merger with India. Sensing insecurity the nawab fled to Pakistan and established a govt in exile (Arzi Hukoomat) in Pakistan territory. India asked Pakistan not to accept accession and instead agree for plebscite in the princely state. Pakistan dd not agree. Indian army entered Junadadh and administration was transferred to Indian administration. A plebiscite was held in which 99% favored merger with India. The state is now in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Thus the process of integration of princely states to India was complete.
Some draw parallel between Junagadh and Kashmir. They say that if prince of Jammu & Kashmir could accede to India, why not Junadadh as well as Hyderabad. It is alleged that India adopted different standards according to convenience. Here it is stressed that Junagadh had not only Hindu majority but also had no geographical boundary with Pakistan. It makes no sense to say that sea joined Junadah with Pakistan. Secondly, India being legally strong in issue of Kashmir voluntarily referred the issue to United Nations. Pakistan dared not refer Junagadh to United Nations. Even then a referendum was made and ninety nine percent favored acceding to India.
Integration of Colonial enclaves of Portugal and French enclaves
At time of independence, France and Portugal had their enclaves in Indian sub continent. These were outside British India and hence did not get independence simultaneously. Pondicherry, Karikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore were French colonies. An agreement was reached with France in 1948. Plebiscite in the French colonies resulted in favor of merger with India. On first November 1954, India exercise de facto control in these ex French enclaves. A treaty of cession was signed in May 1956 and ratified by French assembly in May 1962. Thus de jure and de facto control over the ex French enclaves was transferred to India.
Portugal was adamant and so India had to resort to armed action. There was a long struggle by people in Goa. Indian forces entered the ex Portugese enclave in 1961 and liberated the state. This completed our independence from foreign rule.
Conclusion
The role of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel is really remarkable. He is rightly called Chanakya of modern India. It will very apt to say that Mahatma gandhi was father of nation; Nehru architect of nation; and Sardar vallabh Bhai Patel the unifier of nation.
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