Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Political Science

Chapter

Politics in India Since Independence: Challenges of nation Building

Question:

Which of the following statements is/are true regarding Princely states after the partition of India?

1. The British government took the view that all these states had only two options either to join India or Pakistan after the partition of India.
2. This decision was left to the people and not to the princely rulers of these states to decide which country do they want to join.

Options:

1 only

2 only

Both options, 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer:

Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Just before Independence, it was announced by the British that with the end of their rule over India, the paramountcy of the British crown over the Princely States would also lapse. This meant that all these states, as many as 565 in all, would become legally independent. The British government took the view that all these states were free to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent if they so wished. This decision was left not to the people but to the princely rulers of these states.  This was a very serious problem and could threaten the very existence of a united India