Princely States - During National Movement

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British / EIC policy towards the Princely States
  1. (1764-97) – Development of residency system
  2. (1798-1840) – Aggressive expansionism – Subsidiary Alliance
  3.  (1841-57) – Direct Annexation – Doctrine of Lapse
  4. After 1857 – Queen’s Proclamation -  ‘respect the rights, dignity and honor of native princes as our own’

Indian National Movement & Princely states
Fact – 562 states, 2/5th territory, ~25% populace
  • Nagpur Session (1920) – called upon princes for responsible govt. + people can join Congress; cannot start political work in its name
  • Chamber of Princes – Act of 1919
  • NCM – Praja Mandals in Baroda, Jamnagar, Indore
  • 1927 – AISPC founded in Bombay by Balwant Rai Mehta and others
  • AISPC was first to demand Indian federation; Nehru Report (28) pleaded the same; Butler Committee (29) suggested constitutional change if people demanded
  • Act of 1935 – All India Federation; 1/3rd of Federal Legislature – Nominee of Princes
  • Haripura Congress (38) – extended support to Praja Mandal Movement but not organizational Support
  • JLN became President of AISPC (39)
  • Tripuri Congress (39) – support to Praja Mandal – Joint Action
Near Independence
1)     Cabinet Mission – Paramountcy would lapse; Option to remain independent
2)     Plan Balkan – the liberty to join confederation or remain independent
3)     Mountbatten’s persuasion to accede to India – sign IOA – Surrender – Communication, Diplomacy and Defense

Integration of Indian states in Indian Union lessened the suffering of people inflicted by Partition and halted the process of Balkanization 

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