Integration of States: Key Phases and Plans | Studento

Integration of States: The State People's Movement and Patel’s Leadership

• In 1946-47, the State People's Movement demanded political rights and representation.
• Nehru presided over conferences, declaring states refusing to join the Constituent Assembly as hostile.
• In July 1947, Vallabhbhai Patel took charge of the States Department.
• Patel used a combination of incentives and pressure to integrate the states.

Phase I: Accession and Initial Integration

• By August 15, 1947, all states except Kashmir, Hyderabad, and Junagarh had acceded to India.
• They acknowledged central authority over defense, external affairs, and communication.
• Princes agreed easily as they were only surrendering what they didn't have in practice, and there was no immediate change to internal political structures.

Phase II: Consolidation and Internal Changes

• The second phase involved integrating states with neighboring provinces or creating new units, such as the Kathiawar Union, Vindhya and Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh.
• Internal constitutional changes occurred in states like Hyderabad, Mysore, and Travancore-Cochin.
• This phase was completed within a year.
• Incentives included privy purses, governorships, and rajpramukh positions.
• This rapid unification was Patel’s greatest achievement.

Plan Balkan: A Proposed Alternative

• Between March and May 1947, Mountbatten considered the Cabinet Mission Plan untenable and created Plan Balkan.
• The plan proposed transferring power to separate provinces, with Punjab and Bengal voting on partition.
• Princely states could join India, Pakistan, or remain separate.
• Nehru's strong reaction led to the plan's abandonment.