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 India 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 Nawab of Junagarh wanted to accede to effect. On this important occasion, I have a few Pakistan. 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 Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 2021 International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals Volume 04 Issue 10 September 2017 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 Maharajas 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, Travancore 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; Junagadh 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 Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 2022 International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals Volume 04 Issue 10 September 2017 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 Maharaja 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.