Which one of the following statements is not correct regarding the integration of the Princely States in India after independence?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → The ruler of Travancore entered into a Standstill Agreement with India in November 1947.
Option (1) The ruler of Travancore entered into a Standstill Agreement with India in November 1947. False. It was the Nizam of Hyderabad, not the ruler of Travancore, who entered into the Standstill Agreement with India in November 1947, for a year while negotiations went on.
Option (2) The Nizam of Hyderabad surrendered to the Indian army after a few days of intermittent fighting in September 1948. True. This led to Hyderabad’s accession to India.
Option (3) The accession of Junagarh was resolved after a plebiscite confirmed people’s desire to join India. True. Junagadh was one of the states whose accession proved difficult.
Option (4) The Maharaja of Manipur signed a Merger Agreement with the government of India in September 1949. True. The Government of India persuaded him to sign it.
NCERT (2025-26): “Government’s approach … Accession of the Princely States of Junagadh, Hyderabad, Kashmir and Manipur proved more difficult than the rest. The issue of Junagarh was resolved after a plebiscite confirmed people’s desire to join India.… Hyderabad … The Nizam wanted an independent status for Hyderabad. He entered into what was called the Standstill Agreement with India in November 1947 for a year while negotiations with the Indian government were going on.… Hyderabad … In September 1948, Indian army moved in to control the Nizam’s forces. After a few days of intermittent fighting, the Nizam surrendered. This led to Hyderabad’s accession to India. Manipur In the Legislative Assembly of Manipur there were sharp differences over the question of merger of Manipur with India. While the state Congress wanted the merger, other political parties were opposed to this. The Government of India succeeded in persuading the Maharaja into signing a Merger Agreement in September 1949.” |