The task of unifying India, undertaken by the ‘Iron Man’ of India, Sardar Patel, was complex. That is why Mahatma Gandhi had told him, “The problem of the princely states is so difficult that only you can solve it.” V.P. Menon—Secretary of the Home Department and a close associate of Patel during the integration process—has detailed the challenges encountered throughout the process in his book, ‘The Story of the Integration of the Indian States. Menon also described Patel as “our inspiration and guiding light” in the effort to unite India.
Integrating 562 princely states into the Indian Union was indeed a formidable task. These states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan, or to remain independent. Patel tackled this challenge within a remarkably short span of time, relying on his diplomatic acumen and firm resolve. Through his persuasive skills, he won over the rulers of the princely states, employing a “carrot and stick” approach—a blend of conciliation and firmness—to secure their signatures on the ‘Instrument of Accession’ to join the Indian Union. He impressed upon them the impossibility of remaining independent enclaves within India, particularly as they faced growing opposition from their own subjects. Patel also addressed the concerns regarding financial insecurity among the rulers of the princely states by proposing an annual pension known as the ‘Privy Purse,’ a provision that was subsequently enshrined in the Constitution of India. This annual pension paid to the rulers of the princely states was eventually abolished in 1971 by the Indira Gandhi government through a constitutional amendment.
Patel achieved complete success in his mission; by the time India gained independence on August 15, 1947, all but three of the princely states had acceded to India. The remaining three princely states—Junagadh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Hyderabad—joined India later, and Patel ensured their merger with the country.
Junagadh: Located in present-day Gujarat, Junagadh had an 80 percent Hindu population, yet the Nawab decided to accede to Pakistan. Following widespread civil unrest against the Nawab, India sent its army to Junagadh, and the Nawab fled to Pakistan. Subsequently, India held a plebiscite in Junagadh, in which 99.5 percent of the people voted in favor of India; thus, Junagadh was merged with India.
Hyderabad: Hyderabad also had a majority Hindu population, but its ruler, Nizam Osman Ali Khan, was a Muslim who sought either independent status or accession to Pakistan. Neither option was feasible, yet, at Pakistan’s instigation, the Nizam attempted to procure arms from foreign nations. For Patel, the existence of an independent country within Indian territory was unacceptable. Meanwhile, the Nizam’s Muslim militia, known as the ‘Razakars,’ attacked the local Hindu population, causing a breakdown of law and order. Patel persuaded Nehru to secure Cabinet approval for police action in Hyderabad. As Nehru was away on a foreign tour, Patel, acting as Prime Minister, ordered the police action on September 13, 1948; within five days, the Nizam’s forces surrendered, and Hyderabad became part of India. This police action is known as ‘Operation Polo.’
Kashmir: The Kashmir issue was complex because it had a Muslim-majority population and a Hindu ruler, and it shared a border with Pakistan. Kashmir’s Hindu ruler, Hari Singh, wished to maintain his independent status. Amidst this, in September 1947, the Pakistani army and tribal forces launched an attack on India. India made the accession of Kashmir a condition for sending its army, and Hari Singh signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’ on 26 October, 1947. Meanwhile, Nehru approached the United Nations. A ceasefire agreement brokered by the UN came into effect on January 1, 1949, but a portion of Kashmir remained under Pakistani control—as it still does today. Over time, the Kashmir issue became increasingly complex.
It is for his contribution to the integration of India that Sardar Patel is known as the ‘Iron Man’ of India.
Leave a Reply