Consolidation of Indian Union – Major States Consolidated

  1. Travancore
    • The de-facto ruler, C P Ramaswamy Aiyer, initially aimed for an
      independent Travancore.
    • Travancore’s intention to join the Dominion of India was expressed through the signing of the Instrument of Accession by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.
    • The princely state of Hyderabad, which wished to maintain its independence, posed an immediate threat of invasion to Travancore, which affected Travancore’s choice to join India.
  2. Junagadh
    • Junagadh’s Nawab declared his intention to join Pakistan, despite the fact that there is no geographical continuity between the two.However, the vast majority of Hindus expressed a desire for integration with India.’This resulted in a popular
    • revolt against the Nawab, forcing him to flee.
    • Junagadh Dewan, Shah Nawaz Bhutto invited the Indian government to intervene.
    • In February 1948, Indian troops entered Junagadh, and a plebiscite was held, with the result favoring accession to India.
  3. Kashmir
    • The Kashmiri ruler exhibited a propensity to uphold their independence, citing worries about possible communalism in Pakistan and democracy in India.
    • In 1947, several Pathan tribesmen entered Kashmir and advanced towards Srinagar, purportedly with the support of the Pakistani army.
    • The Maharaja of Kashmir requested Indian support, but India was unable to act lawfully until Kashmir had become a part of India.
    • Indian forces were sent in when the Maharaja formally joined India through an Instrument of Accession. The terrorists were driven back while still maintaining control over a portion of the state.
    • India decided to present the issue to the UN Security Council.
      On December 31, 1948, the council accepted a ceasefire, siding with Pakistan.
  4. Hyderabad
    • The Nizam of Hyderabad declared his intention to remain independent and refused to join India.
    • In order to give the Nizam time to plan his next action, a standstill agreement was arranged with India in November 1947.
    • The Nizam sought to bolster his military strength with the intention of forcing India to recognize Hyderabad’s sovereignty.
    • The Nizam backed Ittihad ul Muslimin, a communal organization, and Razakars, its paramilitary wing, who severely repressed civilians.
    • In the Telangana region, where peasant squads fought against Razakar abuses, a strong peasant movement led by communists emerged.
    • In September 1948, the Indian government launched Operation Polo to deploy soldiers in response to the Nizam’s ongoing armament imports and the Razakars’ ongoing brutality.
    • The Nizam then submitted, and Hyderabad joined the Indian Union through military action.
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