Nawab Hamidullah Khan of Bhopal argued that if Pakistan and India could be created as separate States, a third India consisting of princely States can also be created. He became the head of the Chamber of Princes and continued to argue for the right of States to stay independent. He even tried to create a corridor of princely states between Bhopal & Pakistan.

He was eventually brought around by the combined persuasion of Patel and Mountbatten. After he signed the Instrument of Accession, he cordially wrote to Patel promising full co-operation. Patel too graciously remarked that the Nawab did what was right for his people.

The Nawab’s younger daughter married the Nawab of Patudi. Sarah Ali Khan is their great grand daughter in the line of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Saif Ali Khan.

Source:
V.P Menon, The Story of Integration of the Indian States.
Sandeep Bamzai, Princestan.
Bhopal.nic.in

Picture: Wikimedia Commons- Picture of Chamber of Princes

Junagadh had 80% Hindu population but a muslim ruler. Nawab Mahabat Khan of Junagadh was an easy going man. He loved his dogs so much that he would have wild celebrations when his dogs gave birth.

Egged on by Jinnah, Junagadh acceded to Pakistan. Patel decided to use force. The Nawab escaped with the treasury and his dogs to Karachi. His Dewan handed over the territory to India and he too left for Pakistan. A referendum was held in Junagadh along with a few other neighbouring princely States. Out of about 2 lakh voters, only 91 voted to join Pakistan.

The Dewan was Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto. His son, grand daughter and grand son in law went on to be leaders of Pakistan.

Source: Rajmohan Gandhi, Patel – A Life.
Sandeep Bamzai, Princestan.

Picture: Natioal Virtual Digital Library. Celebration of Junagadh referendum resuts.

Travancore was considered a well run princely State. It had an excellent maritime economy and industrial base. Both the Maharajah and the Diwan (administrative head) disliked congress leaders and communists. They also were not in favour of India’s relations with Soviet Union. Perhaps due to this, they declared that Travancore will remain as an independent State. CP Ramaswami Aiyar was the Diwan. He knew that western nations would support Travancore as it had thorium deposits (to create atom bombs) which the west would like to access.

CP was eventually convinced by the stature and commitment of Sardar Patel and agreed to get the Instrument of Accession signed by the Maharajah. Before he could do so, an assassination attempt was made on him in Trivandrum by socialists but he survived. The Maharajah telegraphed his acceptance of the Agreement to Mountbatten. This was instrumental in convincing other rulers who were wavering.

Source: V.P Menon, The Story of Integration of the Indian States.

Manorama Online

Picture: National Virtual Library, Flag of Travancore State

Mir Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, Nizam of Hyderabad. His territories were spread across Telangana, Maharashtra & Karnataka. He claimed a direct connection with Mughal royalty and the earliest Caliphs of Islam. The Muslim League tried its level best to secure independence for the state, even coining the term ‘Osmanistan’ for it.

The Nizam tried to refer the case of Hyderabad to the UN, gave a 20 crore loan to Pakistan, banned Indian currency in the territory and threatened to bomb Indian territory. The Majlis, led by Qasim Rizvi unleashed communal fury in the state through ‘Razakars,’ their foot soldiers. This hardened the stand of the Congress party and Nehru fully backed Patel when he ordered the army to move in.

Jinnah died on 12th Sept 1948 and knowing that Pakistan would be pre-occupied, India sent in the army. Razakars capitulated within 4 days.

Patel was generous after victory and allotted a handsome privy purse to the Nizam, allowing him to stay on as the titular head of state.

Source: Rajmohan Gandhi, Patel – A Life.

Picture: National Virtual Library, Hyderabad Nizam welcoming Sardar after Operation Polo.

Sir Pratap Singh Gaekwad of Baroda was the first ruler to actually sign the Instrument of Accession. However, the first announcement to sign the Instrument of Accession was made by the Diwan of Gwalior on behalf of the Maharajah.

Bikaner and Patiala were the other States that acceded to India in the very early days.

Source: V.P Menon, The Story of Integration of the Indian States.

Picture: Wikimedia Commons, Flag of Baroda State

Jinnah tried his level best to lure young Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur to his side. Through Jodhpur (and Indore), Jinnah wanted to create a contiguous corridor from Pakistan to Bhopal. Jinnah offered Jodhpur the free use of Karachi port, free import of arms, jurisdiction over railways and supply of grains to his famine affected state. He even pushed across a blank sheet with his signature for the Maharaja to write his own terms.

Hanwant Singh was advised to hold on and consult family elders by the Maharaja of Jaisalmer. The elders convinced Hanwant Singh by asking if he was willing to fight for Pakistan in the event of war between India and Pakistan. Patel also convinced him by offering good terms – a new port in Kutch, railway connectivity at Jodhpur, large scale food assistance and permission for the royal family to continue to carry arms.

Source: Sandeep Bamzai, Princestan.

Picture: Wikimedia Commons. Umaid Bhawan Palace built by Hanwant Singh’s father.

The Cochin Maharajah went to great lengths to co-operate with Sardar Patel and VP Menon in the accession. He agreed to visit Maharajah of Travancore to merge both the States, to assuage the ego of the larger kingdom, but younger Maharajah.

His only request was that five copies of Panchangam (almanac) of Cochin Government should be supplied to him free of cost (they would have cost a few annas). Later on he would negotiate his privy purse.

VP Menon observed that the Maharajah was prepared to efface himself completely in order that his people might enjoy a larger life.

Source: V.P Menon, The Story of Integration of the Indian States.

Picture: Natioal Virtual Digital Library., Patel with Maharajah of Cochin

Lt Gen Sadul Singh, veteran of World War II, was  a nationalistic voice in the Chamber of Princes. In April 1947, he wrote a secret note to his fellow princes titled “ The Time for Right Decision : An Appeal to the Princes.” The letter was brilliantly argued, mapping out all scenarios including the dangers of a Communist takeover. He was equally impassioned, “… the people of the (Princely) States feel equally in regard to their own Mother Country – India… We would be straining their loyalty, if we take a step considered unpatriotic by our people.” Historians consider this letter quite significant in helping the vacillating princes make up their mind.

Source: Sandeep Bamzai, “Princestan”

Picture: National Virtual Library, Sardar with the Maharajah of Bikaner

The princely States had to sign the Instrument of Accession with either Pakistan or India; and also a Standstill Agreement which would maintain status quo till final terms of accession were agreed on.

The Maharaja of Indore was very close to the Nawab of Bhopal and was working along with him to delay accession. Patel and Mountbatten got the rulers of other prominent Maratha states, notably Baroda and Kolhapur, to speak with him. The Maharaja was especially annoyed with Mountbatten as he felt that as the Viceroy and the representative of the British Crown, he should have been more favourable to him. But VP Menon, Patel’s deputy in the states ministry, used equal measures of charm and threats to get him in line.

Perhaps as a signal of his annoyance, the Maharajah sent the instrument of accession and the standstill agreement by ordinary post.

Source: Sandeep Bamzai, Princestan.

Picture: Wikimedia Commons, Patel with Maharajah of Indore

In December 1947, Patel was negotiating with the roughly 40 small states of Odisha and today’s Chattisgarh. Most of them were too small. Patel conceded that it was “elementary justice that some form of quid pro quo should be conceded to them.”

Patel offered the rulers a privy purse for their maintenance. It would also continue to their successors and would be in perpetuity. When the princes wanted more, he advised them to keep it reasonable as a high amount will attract attacks on the very concept.

The Privy Purse was made a part of the constitution. Nevertheless, twenty years later, Mrs. Indira Gandhi found a way to abolish these purses, as part of her socialist agenda. The courts agreed with her stand.

Source: Rajmohan Gandhi, Patel – A Life.

Picture: National Virtual Library. Shankar Pillai cartoon depicting Sardar Patel as Pied Piper leading the princes