The essentials
In 1947 there were over 500 princely states. Most rulers signed the Instrument of Accession and joined India, a process led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as Home Minister with the help of V.P. Menon. Jammu and Kashmir was a special case. Its ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, did not want to join either India or Pakistan at first. The most popular political movement in the state was led by Sheikh Abdullah of the National Conference, which wanted to end the Maharaja's rule and opposed joining Pakistan.
In October 1947 Pakistan sent tribal infiltrators from its side to capture Kashmir. The Maharaja asked India for military help, and India asked him to sign the Instrument of Accession before sending troops. He signed it in October 1947, and Indian forces were sent. India referred the issue to the United Nations. The fighting stopped with part of the territory under Pakistan's control; in India this area is referred to as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Sheikh Abdullah became the head of the state government (then called Prime Minister of the state).
Key points
- The Instrument of Accession was the document by which a ruler transferred defence, foreign affairs and communications to the Union.
- Article 370 of the Constitution gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status with greater autonomy than other states.
- In 1953 Sheikh Abdullah was dismissed and detained, and the relationship between the state and the Union remained a subject of debate.
- Other difficult princely states were Junagadh, Hyderabad and Manipur. Hyderabad was integrated after military action in September 1948.
Exam tips
- Remember the sequence: tribal invasion, accession, Indian troops, UN reference.
- Link Sheikh Abdullah with the National Conference.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the Maharaja signed the accession before the invasion; he signed it after the attack began.
- Confusing Hari Singh (ruler of Kashmir) with the Nizam (ruler of Hyderabad).