International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals Volume 04 Issue 10 September 2017

Sardar Patel Role in Uniting

Ms. Manisha RESEARCH SCHOLAR IN DEPT OF HISTORY Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

Introduction Sardar Patel handled effectively the integration took over the administration. Patel merged it of the princely states with his diplomatic skills with India by holding a plebiscite. Patel with an and foresightedness. The problem of iron fisted hand subdued the Nizam. When the amalgamating 562 independent states with a Nizam boasted anti-India feelings and let loose democratic self-governing India was difficult a blood both by the Razakars, Patel decided and delicate. But it was essential to save India upon police action. He ordered the army to from balkanization, once the Paramountcy of March into Hyderabad. The Nizam surrendered British crown would lapse. Sardar Patel took and Hyderabad was acceded to India. Thus charge of the states department in July 1947. He Sardar Patel ensured, by his calculated methods, sensed the urgent and imperative need of the the absorption of a multitude of princely states integration of princely states. He followed an into the Indian Union. Without a civil war, he iron handed policy. He made it clear that he did secured the solidarity of the nation. not recognize the right of any state to remain Department of Native States and Sardar independent and in isolation, within India.Patel Patel also appealed to the patriotic and national On 27th June, 1947, Sardar Patel assumed the sentiments of the Princes and invited them to charge ofthe newly formed Department join the forming of a democratic constitution in ofNative States in the Interim Government. He the national interest. He persuaded them to was intent on sparing no efforts to stall the surrender defence, foreign affairs and mischief done by the lapse of Paramountcy and communication to the government of India. He, was keen to work his way through the maze till by his tactics, broke the union of separatist he could achieve his goal of a United India. princes. By August 15, 1947 all except With this new mantle, on 5th July, 1947, he Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir acceded to announced the Government’s policy statement India. He thereafter carried three fold process of governing the Princely States, It was announced assimilation, centralization and unification of somedays back that the Government ofIndia had states. The states were amalgamated to form a decided to set up a Department to conduct their union and that union was merged with the relations with the States in matters of common Union of India. He handled the Junagarh and concern. This Department has come into being Hyderabad crisis as a seasoned statesman. today and the States have been informed to this wanted to accede to effect. On this important occasion, I have a few . When the people revolted, Patel words to say to the Rulers ofIndian States, intervened. Indian Government among whom I am happy to count many as my

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personalfriends. With his oratorial finery, he nations of the world and turn it into an abode then proceeded to convince them ofthe futility ofpeace andprosperity. These parting lines must ofcontinuing their isolated existence ofyore, have soothed many a ruffled nerves and sent out made them see reason. He continued, When the a confidencebuilding message. But Sardar British established their rule in India, they Patel’s real work had only just begun. Sardar evolved the doctrine ofParamountcy, which Patel initiated a fresh move by holding private established the supremacy ofBritish interests.... and personal contacts with the rulers. On 1 Oth Now that the British rule is ending, a demand July, he met with the ofPatiala and has been made that the Statesshould regain Gwalior and Premiers ofBaroda and Bikaner. theirindependence.... Ihave every sympathy He then initiated a diplomatic leakage ofthe forthis demand, butI do not think that it can be news ofthat informal meeting held at his their desire to utilize this freedomfrom residence. The newspapers published ‘reliably domination in a manner which is injurious to the understood’ reports and that helped in bringing common interest ofIndia or which militates more Rulers to accept accession. Sardar Patel against the ultimate Paramountcy of popular had already established his communication interests and welfare or which might result in channels with various Rulers, their emissaries as the abandonment ofthat mutually well as the leaders of Praja Parishads and Praja usefulrelationship that has developed between Mandals in various States. Some substantial the British India and the Indian States during the States like Hyderabad, and Bhopal last century. This has been amply demonstrated were rearing for the self-proclamation by the fact that a great majority ofIndian States ofIndependence; even went to the have 72 already come into the length of acceding itselfto Pakistan. Gradually, ConstituentAssembly. To those who have not however, as the realities ofthe situation and the done so, I appeal that they shouldjoin now. He likely future scenarios where they would be at then kindled new hopes in them, We are at a disadvantage vis-a-vis Indian Union, began to momentous stage in the history ofIndia. By dawn on the Rulers, their resistance began to common endeavour, we can raise the country to crumble and they began to, one by one, join the a new greatness, while lack of unity will expose Indian Union by signing the Instruments of us tofresh calamities. Ihope the Indian States Accession and Standstill Agreements. Both will bear in mind that the alternative to these documents specifically declared that there cooperation in the general interest is anarchy would be no attempt to revive Paramountcy. and chaos which will overwhelm great and Rampur was the first State to declare its small in a common ruin, ifwe are enable to act accession to the Indian Union.35 Sardar Patel altogetherin the minimum ofcommon tasks. Let endorsed V.P.Menon’s idea of enlisting not the future generations curse usfor having Mountbatten’s cooperation, because had the opportunity, but havingfailed to turn it hisrelationship with theBritishRoyal Family to our mutual advantage. Instead, let it be our would carry a considerable influence with the proudprivilege to leave a legacy ofmutually Rulers. Mountbatten responded positively and beneficial relations which would raise this the Cabinet approved that line of Action. On sacred land to its proper place amongst the 25th July, 1947, Lord Mountbatten, as the

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Viceroy, address the Chamber of Princes and few important Rulers who had not agreed to appealed to the Rulersto accede to either ofthe accession oftheir States to India. Here, it would Dominions on three subjects, namely, Defence, be appropriate to note down a few interesting External Affairs and Communications. He goings-on. The ofTravancore was referred to the proposal contained in the Cabinet steadfast in his resolve to remain independent. Mission Plan of 1946 as “reasonable, fair and As early as 15th June, Sardar Patel had queried just” that the States should surrender to the him that he would like to know how Travancore Central Government these three subjects. could be a Sovereign State. He quipped, Defence was a matter which a State could not Probably, the statesmen who made declarations conduct all by itself. The States had no of independence and sovereignty did not experience in handling the External Affairs. understand the implications ofthose terms. So Communications presented a means for long as the Congress continued to have a maintaining the lifeblood ofthe whole Sub- foothold in Travancore, there was no question Continent. He summed up his appeal as under: of ‘independence and sovereignty Later on, the The whole country is passing through a Diwan ofTravancore, Sir C.P.Ramaswamy criticalperiod. I am not asking any State to make Ayyar, after attending the meeting ofthe any intolerable sacrifice ofeither its internal Viceroy on 25th July, went back to Cochin to autonomy or independence. My scheme leaves convey to the Maharaja the Viceroy’s advice you with all practical independence that you can forsigning the Instrument ofAccession. possible use and makes youfree ofall those Meanwhile, the State Congress Committee had subjects which you cannotpossibly manage on launched a pro-accession agitation and there your own. You cannotrun awayfrom the were serious street clashes in the State. Sir Dominion Government which is your neighbour Ayyar was wounded in one such clash. any more than can run away from the subjects Ultimately, led by that kind ofsituation, the 38 for whose welfare you are responsible.36 The Maharaja signed the Instrument ofAccession. appeal made a definite impact on the Rulers. The Maharaja ofJodhpur was being encouraged The Negotiation Committee of the Chamber by the Political Department not to sign the ofprinces split into two - one dealt with the Instrument ofAccession to India but to choose Instrument ofAccession while the other with the Pakistan instead. Accordingly, the Maharaja Standstill Agreement. The two Committees secretly met Jinnah, who gave him a blank sheet approved these two documents. On 31st July, ofpaperto sign the terms and conditions for the approval ofthe full Negotiation Committee accession which would be acceptable the latter. ofthe Chamber ofPrinces was communicated to But the Maharaja of Jaisalmer, who was the Government ofIndia. The time for accompanying the MaharajaofJodhpur, became Independence was approaching fast. Many ofthe suspicious ofJinnah’s designsregarding the Rulers had signed the Instrument ofAccession communal question and the Maharaja ofJodhpur and the Standstill Agreement. But the Nizam came back without doing anything ofthat kind. ofHyderabad, the Maharajas ofJammu & Later on, Mountbatten convinced him that his Kashmir, Travancore, Indore and Jodhpur and and his State’s interest laying in signing the the Nawabs ofBhopal and Junagadh, were the Instrument ofAccession to India and the

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Maharaja ultimately signed the document. The August, almost all the Rulers, with a few Nawab ofBhopal was the Chancellor ofthe exceptions like Junagadh, Hyderabad and Chamber ofPrinces and was a rather powerful Jammu & Kashmir acceded to India and signed man among the Princes. He did not attend the the Instrument of Accession and Standstill Viceroy’s meeting with the Rulers and the Agreement. Sardar Patel’s deft handling ofthe States’ representatives on 25th July. situation, inspite ofthe pressures ofcommunal Mountbatten tried to convince him to sign the riots that had flared up almost everywhere in the Instrument of accession with India as his State country, division ofthe assets going to Pakistan, was surrounded by the territory of the Indian adventurism ofNawab ofJunagadh, Nizam Union. Then, the Nawab and his constitutional ofHyderabad and Hari Singh ofJammu & advisor Sir Mohammad Zafarullah had a long Kashmir, and numerous such other turmoils that discussion with Sardar Patel. The Nawab even in normal times would be ofnearly wanted to sign the Standstill Agreement without insurmountable magnitude, created a sense acceding his State to India. But Sardar Patel ofoneness in the entire nation. The newly very firmly told him that the Standstill acceded States even put their resources at the Agreement would not be signed with such disposal ofthe nation. Sardar Patel openly Rulers as refused to accede. Ultimately, the acknowledged the States’ help at this Nawab signed the Instrument ofAccession. crucialjuncture. There were detractors ofSardar Later, he wrote to Patel that he had used all his Patel’s policy ofreconciliation too. One powers to protect the independence of his State, P.L.Chudgar wrote to him on 30.7.1947, Ifyou but wished to tell him that so long as “You will kindly read the preamble to the Foreign maintain your firm stand against the disruptive Jurisdiction Order in Council, 1902, you forces in the country and continue to be a friend willfind that the source and authority ofthe ofthe States, as you have 41 shown you are, you political powers ofParamountcy which the will find in me a loyal and faithful ally”. The King-in-Council exercised through the Political Maharaja ofIndore was acutely conscious ofhis Department are stated to have been derivedfrom pedigree and the decorum attendant with it. He ‘conquest, usage, sufferance ’ and all other was invited by the Native States Department to diverse courses. Step by step, the Union come to Delhi. He came but declined to come Government ofIndia can also assume all out ofthe railway saloon in which he had thosepowers on the same grounds and thefurther travelled to Delhi. Sardar Patel sent Rajkumari grounds ofnecessity toprevent a breach of Armit Kaur, an equally highly pedigreed thepeace or conflict, which may spread in the Princess to meet him. With all her royal territory under the Union Dominion and on the feminine charms, she convinced him and ground that it is the Union Government ofIndia brought him to Patel. But the Maharaja was s responsibility to maintain peace in the under the influence ofthe Nawab ofBhopal and territories ofthe States, big and 44 small. These said that he had agreed with the Nawab to sign are called ‘extra-territorialpowers’. Yes, the the Instrument of Accession together. When he invitation to convert the foreign-bom was shown the document signed by the Nawab, Paramountcy into a native supremacy was quite the Maharaja agreed to sign too. Thus, by 15th alluring. But being a firm believer in the

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democracy and the supremacy ofthe people’s linguistic regions of Bombay Province and will, Sardar Patel wrote back, Paramountcy will were, in due course, merged into the Province. disappearfrom 15th August and it is hoped that But the people’s movements were at the root of neither the Princes nor the people will shed a the troubles in some smaller States in Orissa tear for its disappearance. May be there will be a region, where the problems ofbackwardness and temporary vacuum, but time and circumstances lack ofany worthwhile political organization will evolve a suitable machinery which, while was complicated by the significant presence abandoning all the evils ofthe defunct Crown ofaboriginal population. A similarsituation also Department, will work in cooperation 77 with arose in Chattisgarh region in the Central thepeople and the Princes and create an Province. Sardar Patel decided that in order to atmosphere ofpeace and , 45 / harmony. It is not build up the resources of these States clear whether the tremendous historical sufficiently to ensure modem government and to development that too place during the next three give them the benefits of democratic rule, the years was the result of a deliberate design or the solution was to merge them into the adjoining natural outcome ofIndia getting freedom and the Provinces. Many Rulers could have opposed establishment ofa democratic political system this policy, but they were sufficiently wise to both at the Centre and in the States. British realize that their position in relation to their Paramountcy in the States was sustained on the subjects had now become uncertain and it was pain of armed punishment. One consequence of advisable that they conclude an amicable Paramountcy’s disappearance was that the settlement with the Government ofIndia. These British military power was not available to the settlements basically involved only two Native States to suppress their subjects. In the conditions: (i) that their small States were Free India, the armed forces of the Union were merged into the adjoining Province, and (ii) in no longer available to the Rulers for being used return for their abdicating the ruling power, they against their own subjects. Moreover, the were given reasonable annual grant as privy Congress had been wedging a struggle against purses. Sardar Patel’s Statement dated 16th the British and hence, the British were December, 1947, adequately brings out his interested in keeping the States free of concern for the Rulers, ... Ifelt that theRulers Congress. However, Congress itself was a had acquired by heredity and history certain Government now. This particular realization claims on the people, which the latter must made several States like Mysore, Cochin, honour. Their dignities and privileges and their Travancore, Bikaner, etc., to introduce means ofsubsistence on a reasonable standard constitutional and political reforms within must be assured. Ihave always held to the theirrespective States. For alleviating the beliefthat thefuture ofthe Princes liesin the problem of introducing reforms in the smaller service oftheirpeople and their country andnot States, such States in Orissa and Chattisgarh, in the continued assertion oftheir autocracy. In Deccan States and some Rajasthan States were conformity with these ideas, Ifelt that on reorganized as unions. Sardar Patel had been releasefrom an increasingly onerous and consulted about the Deccan States, which awkward responsibility, but at the same time, consisted scattered territorial pieces in two theirpersonalposition and that ofthe

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rulingfamilyfully safeguarded, they would have they may derive thefull benefit ofthis great opportunities ofservices, which have hitherto achievement. been denied to them and which many of them Unified India Panorama The final picture are genuinely longingfor and genuinely anxious that emerged from Sardar Patel’s labours for to secure and they would cease to be the targets the Unified India was something like ofcontinuous bitter attacks and ill-will. About following: the transfer ofpower within the States, he stated, 1 Saurashtra Union Throughout my discussions with the Rulers, I On the eve of India’s Independence, there were was careful to emphasize that the solution which a total 222 States exercising various degrees we suggestedforthe difficultproblems with ofjurisdiction in Kathiawad. All these States which we and they were equally faced wasfor taken together had an area of 22,000 square them to accept or reject oftheir ownfree-will. miles (56,980 square kilometres) and a There was no compulsion save ofevents and of population of nearly 4 lakh. Majority ofthem the circumstances and the peculiar problems of were petty States where self-government their States. I also told them that in offering this appeared well-nigh impossible. They were solution, were actuated by nothing but the scattered and, due to financial backwardness, friendliest disposition towards them and had unable to provide welfare to their subjects. As nothing but the ultimate good of the Princes and such the Union ofthose States into one compact their people at heart. I also maintained that their unit was essential. Sardar Patel had a voluntary surrender ofmost ofthe powers that preliminary talks with Jam Saheb ofNawanagar they wielded sofar would increase and not and the Maharaja of . He told them reduce the prestige that they have enjoyed and that owing to the agitations for self-government, would create in the hearts oftheirpeople a place the 80 Kathiawad States were in danger. It lay oflasting affection and regard which would in their interests to merge into one compact rebound to their glory’. I am very glad that they Union. For their sacrifices, they were promised all responded to these sentiments and would ask some sort ofheadship in the proposed Union. thepeople ofthese States to play their ownpart V.P.Menon visited Rajkot on 17th January, and to extend to each one ofthem unfailing 1948, and after successful bargaining with cordiality and unrestrictedgoodwill. About the numerous Rulers, hammered out the Saurashtra responsibility ofthe people in the new setup, he Union. In return, the rulers were given liberal averred, In future, ifthe people ofthese States privy purses, high poststo some ofthe important have any grievances, they can only be against Rulers, and theirsentiments for preserving the the popular representatives and leaders, who separate existence was respected. would be charged with their interests and 2 States welfare, and not against the Princes. ...It will In Gujarat, there were 17 full jurisdictional and also be the duty ofthepeople concerned to help 127 semi- or non-jurisdictional States. They had and cooperate wholeheartedly with the two alternatives in mind - first, to form a Union respective Provincial Administrations in this oftheir own, orsecond, to get merged with process ofunification and amelioration, so that Baroda. The Maharaja of Baroda was not agreeable to the second proposition, as he

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wanted to keep a separate entity ofhis State, and The Sikh States had pro-Akali inclinations and the first course was not acceptable to the Native they were also afraid that their States might be States Department because the semi- and non- merged with the neighbouring Province, As jurisdictional States were further subdivided such, they sponsored the idea of a separate Sikh among themselves, number 271 at that time. State. On the other hand, the nationalist Sikh Most of them were non-viable. Through opinion was in favour of a separate Union of all bargaining, they were given clear assurance Punjab States and was opposed to the merger about their privy purposes, personal privileges ofthose States, leading to the formation of a and other facilities. Due to their weak economic separate Sikh State. The State Department position and non-viability, they succumbed to commenced its bargaining bearing in mind the the bargaining and agreed to merge into the nationalist demand. It was finally decided to Bombay Province. However, and create a Union of the East Punjab States. Baroda did not merge at that time. Another factor that helped the formation ofthe 3 Vindhya Pradesh Union was the dispute between the State’s States Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand tract People’s Conference and the Raja of Faridkot. comprised 35 States. Biggest among them was The Raja’s alleged ill-treatment ofthe political , which was declared to be a viable unit. It prisoners and Muslim evacuees induced the also had separate representation in the States Department to intervene and take over the Constituent Assembly. There were some State’s administration. In this kind ofsituation, difficulties in uniting these States into a Union. the remaining States agreed to merge into a However, through bargaining, the Maharaja Union. ofRewa was own over. Rewa wanted a 5 Greater Rajasthan Union permanent headship ofthe Union, but it was not Rajasthan contained 12 States. Their integration acceptable to the States Department. However, was effected in five stages. The first was the it was conceded that in the election to the head formation of Matsya Union, with the integration ofthe Union, Rewa would get weightage in of four States of , Dholpur, Bharat and proportion to its importance. A proposal for an Karauli. The second was the formation ofthe independent Constituent Assembly was also first Rajasthan Union with Banswara, Bundi, conceded, although it did not materialize after Dungarpur, Zalawar, , Kotah, the formation ofthe Union. The privy purpose Pratapgarh, Shahpura and Tonk. The third was ofthe Maharaja of Rewa was fixed at Rs. 1 lakh the inclusion of Udaipur in the first Rajasthan per year. 81 Thus, the main hurdle was over and Union. The fourth was the formation ofGreater in April, 1948, the Vindhya Pradesh Union Rajasthan Union with the inclusion in it came into existence. ofJaipur, Bikaner and Jaisalmir. The fifth stage 4 PEPSU was that ofincorporating the Matsya Union in Pepsu comprised offour States, namely, Patiala, the 82 Greater Rajasthan Union. After Nabha, Jind, Faridkot, Kapurthala and prolonged negotiations and bargaining the deed Malerkotla. Four ofthese were Sikh States. was finalized by Sardar Patel himselfwith the Kapurthala belonged to the Ahaluwalia family assistance ofV.P.Menon and others. and Malerkotla’s Ruler was a Sherwani Afghan. 6 Travancore

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Cochin Union On being asked to the premiers of the help of Reserve Police. Menon later these two States about the future of their confessed that this 83 was high-handedness. But respective States, they opposed their merger into Sardar Patel had assured Menon ofhis support. the Madras Province and instead suggested the When Nehru and Gandhiji questioned the Union ofthese two States. But there was a rationale ofthis approach, Menon was supported problem in forming this Union. The Maharaja by Patel. ofTravancore maintained that he had been 8 Deccan States administering the State in the name of Shree Following the assassination ofMahatma Padmanabha (God) and as such, was the servant Gandhi, there were large scale riots in these of a tutelary deity. On the other hand, the States. Besides Kolhapur, there were 17 other Government ofIndia wanted some sort States in the region, but they were scattered ofassurance from the Maharaja that he would be within the Bombay Province. The people in faithful to the Constitution ofIndia and to the these States were agitating for responsible new Union. Finally, it was decided that he Governments for a long time. The Rulers of would address a letter to the States Department these States had formed a voluntary Union. expressing that he would preserve protect and They met Sardar Patel on 19th January, 1948, defend the Union ofTravancore-Cochin and the and asked for the formation ofa separate Union. Constitution ofIndia and would devote himselfto Sardar Patel made it clear that their Union was the service ofthe people. The Maharaja, not duly recognized by the States Department however, did not bargain for long and soon and advised them to merge their States into agreed to the formation ofthe Union. Bombay Province, as law and order problems 7 Orissa States emanating from their States were seriously On 14th December, 1949, Sardar Patel met affecting the peace in that Province. As the Rulers ofthe Class-A States in Orissa and lobbying ofthe States Department failed, Sardar acquainted them with his views. But they were Patel took a strong view and almost ordered the unwilling to merge their States. After much Ruler ofSawantwadi to merge his States into heated arguments, the Maharaja of Dhenkenal Bombay Province or else face the revolt of his was taken into confidence and was told that in people. The Nawab of Janjira was threatened view ofthe Praja Mandal Agitation for with deposition ifhe did not agree to the merger. responsible Government, he would be unable to 9 maintain his position in the State without the There were large scale riots in this State after support of the Government of India. He was Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination and on the also asked to convey his decision to merge his failure ofthe State’s machinery to contain these, State to other Rulers and ifthey failed to follow the States Department had to appoint his example, New Delhi would be compelled to Capt.V.Nanjappa as the Administrator. Forced take over the administration oftheir States. by the situation, the Ruler most unwillingly Menon even clearly threatened other Rulers that signed the instrument ofmerger in the Bombay ifthey did not sign the merger agreement, he Province. was going to order them to stay in Cuttack until the States Ministry occupied their States with

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10 Police and military assistance to maintain law The Ruler ofBaroda was trying to postpone the and order. Subsequently, a Diwan was also merger ofhis State into Bombay Province as far deputed from the States Department to run the as possible. His Diwan K.M.Munshi suddenly administration. Suket and Balson States left for England and the Ruler had to appoint voluntarily handed over their administration to Jivraj Mehta as Diwan as demanded by the local the Government of India. Subsequently, all the Praja Mandal. Thereafter, the demand for a States in the region, except Bilaspur, were responsible Government received new grouped into one Union as Himachal Pradesh. momentum. On 9th August, 1948, the State’s 13 East Punjab States Legislative Assembly accused the Ruler Dujana, Loharu and Pataudi were the three ofmisappropriation offunds ofRs.3 crore and Muslim States in East Punjab. When communal demanded his abdication in favour ofhis eldest riots broke out, the Nawab of Dujana fled to son. Under 84 such circumstances, the Maharaja Pakistan. Loharu agreed to merge into Punjab signed the merger instrument and requested State and the Nawab of Pataudi voluntarily Sardar Patel to safeguard the succession ofthe signed the merger agreement. 85 In summing throne, privileges ofthe Ruler and the Ruling up, it may be observed that Sardar Patel and his Family, to which Sardar Patel readily agreed. staff played their diplomacy from the position of 11 Madhya Bharat power and strength. Where persuasion, The States Department then zeroed in on the conciliation or bargaining could not succeed, Statesin Madhya Bharat, particularly Gwalior they did not hesitate in using threats or coercion. and Indore. Sardar Patel informed the Rulers Local popular movements for merger were also ofthese Statesthat theirintegration into one encouraged to compel the Ruler’s surrender. A Union was in their own interests, because then few States were taken over on the ground only, Government ofIndia would be able to ofmaladministration. Sardar Patel had been fulfill such obligations as privy purse and closely associated with the underground protection of private property. Maharaja of movements in the States even during the Gwalior was not in a mood to listen to the preIndependence period and afterwards. He had advice. Thereupon, V.P.Menon told him that the a firm grip over the organizational wings of the Department had made up its mind that apart Congress Party. Sardar Patel’s assiduous effort from Hyderabad and Mysore, no State would and the efficiency of his officers in the Native retain their identity. Under these circumstances, States Department accelerated the process of the neither Gwalior nor Indore could resist and country’s unification and by mid-1949, it was agreed to the formation of a Union. almost completed. 12 Shimla Hill States Nizam of Hyderabad seeks sovereignty for In Shimla Hill Region, there were 16 States, 13 state with lessthan 100 sq.milesterritory and 3 with Nizam Mir Usman Ali Khan Bahadur of less than 10 sq.miles territory. After the transfer Hyderabad issues a firman declaring that upon ofpower, there were constant demands forthe the hour of freedom on 15th August, 1947, grant ofresponsible governments. In Chamba Hyderabad would become an independent State, the Government of India had to provide sovereign, joining neither India nor Pakistan.

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Under attack from Pakistan, Kashmir foreign policy and for building up its foreign declares Accession to India. relations. The Mughal emperors and Raja Hari Singh of Kashmir was undecided subsequently, the English Colonialists had about accession. His territory was situated right accomplished India’s unification through armed in the middle of the two nations and his state coercion and duress, but Sardar Patel secured it had a large percentage of Hindus, Muslims and through reconciliation. Both efforts needed Buddhists. He acceded in pressing supreme willpower, tenacity and assiduity, but circumstances, pleading to India to come to his in keeping with the changing times, Sardar Patel aid to defend Kashmir against the attack from added sagacity, that is, insight and practical armed Pakistani tribals. India agreed to help wisdom, to his effort. The magnitude ofthis him. Provided he signed on the Instrument of achievement can be appreciated only with an Accession first. understanding ofthe nature ofthe problems that Landmark Referendum at Junagadh faced Sardar Patel when he was hand-moulding When normalcy returned, a Plebiscite was the scheme oftransfer ofpower. Today, whatever conducted in Junagadh to ascertain the choice of may be the disruptive forces that threaten the the people of the state, given the peculiar nature country, the political solidarity and integrity of the circumstances there. An overwhelming crafted by Sardar Patel’s statesmanship still majority cast their votes in favour of India. holds and will continue to hold

Conclusion The enduring nature ofSardar Patel’s References achievement in building a political edifice in [1] Shankar, V. (1977): “Sardar Patel - Select India in little overtwo years, in place offive Correspondence : 1945-50”, Vol.I, p.544. hundred and odd separate entities, earned him the noble title ofthe Architect ofthe Nation’s [2] Kulkami, V.B. (1998): “Integration of Unity. The achievement confounded the Princely States”, in: Grover, Verinder (1998): Prophets ofDoom, the most illustrious among “: A Biography ofHis Vision and whom was the former British Premier Sir Ideas”, New Delhi: Deep & Deep Pubications, p.490.Kulkami, V.B., ibid. Winston Churchill. This achievement also laid the foundation ofthe Indian unity, which was so [3] Gajendragadkar, P.B. (1966): “ Kashmir - vital to its prosperity and greatness in Retrospect and Prospect”, in: ‘Patel Memorial subsequent decades. An India divided would Lectures : (Combined) - 1955-85’ (1990), New have been a prey to destructive forces, an Delhi: Government ofIndia, Ministry of Information irremovable obstacle to its economic 129 and Broadcasting, Publications Division, p.517. progress and an irretrievable blow to the prestige which was its due among the world [4] Panikkar, K.M. (1927): “The Relations community of sovereign nations. An India oflndian States with the Government ofIndia”, united provided a firm base for economic London: Martin Hopkinson, pp.34-35. planning and growth and an indispensable takeoff point for the implementation of its

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[5] Gupta, Sisir (1966): “Kashmir - A Study in India-Pakistan Relations”, New Delhi: Asia Publishing House, p. 18.

[6] Nehru, Jawaharlal (1962): “Autobiography”, Bombay: Allied Publishers, pp.530-31. Ibid., p.492.

[7] Kulkami, V.B. (1944): “The Future oflndian States”, London: Thacker, p.29. Shankar, V. op.eit., p.544.

[8] Abstracted from: Government ofIndia (1950): “White Paper on Indian States”, pp. 149- 51.

[9] “Joint Opinion” ofSir Leslie F.Scott, Stuart Beven, Wilfred A.Greene, Valentine Holms and Donald Sommerville; and also “Minutes ofProceedings”, 1928 (since declassified).

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