Which one of the following leaders played an important role in the integration of princely states with India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
Sardar Patel, India’s Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Minister after Independence, played a historic role in negotiating with the rulers of princely states firmly but diplomatically and bringing most of them into the Indian Union.
NCERT (2026-27): “Government’s approach … The interim government took a firm stance against the possible division of India into small principalities of different sizes. Under the Mountbatten Plan, the Princely states were free to join India or Pakistan. Sardar Patel was India’s Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Minister during the crucial period immediately following Independence. He played a historic role in negotiating with the rulers of princely states firmly but diplomatically and bringing most of them into the Indian Union. It may look easy now. But it was a very complicated task which required skilful persuasion.…” |