Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Political Science

Chapter

Politics in India Since Independence: Challenges of nation Building

Question:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Just before Independence, it was announced by the British 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. The problems started very soon. First of all, the ruler of Travancore announced that the state had decided on Independence. The Nizam of Hyderabad made a similar announcement the next day. Rulers like the Nawab of Bhopal were averse to joining the Constituent Assembly.

_____ was largest princely state of India.

Options:

Manipur

Kashmir

Hyderabad

Junagarh

Correct Answer:

Hyderabad

Explanation:

The correct answer is option (3) - Hyderabad

Hyderabad was the largest Princely state & was surrounded entirely by Indian territory. It was ruled by the Nizam (one of the world’s richest men), Mir Osman Ali Khan. Hyderabad had a majority Hindu population but was ruled by a Muslim ruler. The Nizam wanted an independent status for Hyderabad. He entered into Standstill Agreement with India in November 1947 for a year while negotiations with the Indian government were going on.