How many princely states were there at the time of Independence of India?

565

The correct answer is Option 2 - 565

There were 565 princely states at the time of the Independence of India.

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