34.Post Independence- II Flashcards
What were the challenges India faced in terms of integration at the political level?
India had to integrate approximately 565 princely states with itself, as these states had special recognition and relationships with the British Raj.
What was the need for integration at the emotional level in India?
Communal and regional tendencies were on the rise at the eve of independence, and India needed to establish a unified identity that could accommodate diverse groups and foster connections among people, overcoming harmful tendencies that could threaten its integrity.
What social challenges did India face in terms of integration?
There was widespread class and caste inequality in the country at the time of independence. India needed to strive for a society based on the principles of equality, which was one of the biggest challenges it faced.
How many princely states were there at the time of independence?
There were approximately 565 princely states at the time of independence.
What was the objective of integration at the emotional level?
The objective was to unite diverse groups and foster a sense of unity and connection among people, transcending communal and regional tendencies.
What was one of the biggest challenges for India at the eve of independence?
Addressing class and caste inequality and establishing a society based on equality was one of the biggest challenges for India at the eve of independence.
What was one of the major challenges faced by Nehru in post-independence India?
The rehabilitation of refugees from Pakistan was a major challenge.
What was the task related to princely states that Nehru had to address?
Nehru had to work on the consolidation of princely states and their integration into the newly independent India.
What was the aim of democratization in post-independence India?
The aim was to overcome the pervasive feudal mindset and establish a democratic system in the country.
What was a significant area of focus for development in India?
The development of villages, as a significant portion of the Indian population lived in underdeveloped rural areas.
What challenge did India face regarding language?
With hundreds of languages and dialects spoken in the country, choosing an official language was a major challenge.
What was a rising issue in post-independence India?
The rise of communist insurgency was a significant issue that needed to be addressed.
What challenge was associated with tribal communities in India?
The integration of tribal communities into mainstream development was a key challenge.
What task did India have as a newly decolonized country?
India had the task of framing its foreign policy as it transitioned into an independent nation.
How many princely states were there at the time of independence?
There were approximately 565 princely states.
What was the relationship between the princely states and the British Raj?
The princely states had special recognition from and relationships with the British Raj.
What announcement did the British make regarding the princely states before independence?
The British announced that with the end of their rule over India, the British crown’s supremacy over the princely states would also end.
What did the Indian Independence Act (1947) establish?
The Indian Independence Act (1947) established two independent and separate dominions, India and Pakistan.
How many options were provided to the princely states regarding their future status?
The princely states were given three options: join India, join Pakistan, or remain independent.
Who was responsible for integrating the princely states?
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was tasked with integrating the princely states.
What was the official treaty signed between the governments of India and Pakistan and the candidates for accession?
The official treaty was called the Instrument of Accession.
According to the basic tenets of the treaty, what areas would be controlled by the Government of India?
The Government of India would control foreign affairs, defense, and communications, while all other internal issues would be administered by the states.
Which were the first states to join India?
Gwalior, Bikaner, Patiala, and Baroda were the first states to join India on April 28, 1947.
Why were some princely states hesitant to join India?
Some rulers were wary of losing their influence as rulers and distrusted the democratic government led by revolutionaries with uncertain views.
Which states initially declared their decision to seek independence?
Travancore and the Nizam of Hyderabad initially declared their decision to seek independence.
What was the situation regarding democracy in the princely states?
Most princely states had non-democratic governments, and their rulers were unwilling to grant democratic rights to their people.
How many princely states joined India?
549 of the 552 princely states located within India’s geographical boundaries joined India.
How were the remaining three princely states (Hyderabad, Junagarh, and Kashmir) integrated into India?
Hyderabad was integrated through police action, Junagarh through a referendum, and Kashmir through the Instrument of Accession.
When did Piploda, a small state in central India, join India?
Piploda joined India in March 1948, after postponing the signing of the Instrument of Accession.
Where was Travancore located?
Travancore was a maritime state in southern India.
What resources did Travancore possess?
Travancore was rich in both human and mineral resources.
What was significant about Travancore’s refusal to join the Indian Union?
Travancore was one of the first princely states to refuse to join the Indian Union and question the Congress’ leadership.
Who was the Dewan of Travancore in 1946?
The Dewan of Travancore in 1946 was Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar.
What was Sir C.P. Aiyar’s initial intention regarding Travancore’s statehood?
Sir C.P. Aiyar declared his intention to form an independent Travancore state and was willing to sign a treaty with the Indian Union.
What secret ties did Sir C.P. Aiyar allegedly have?
Sir C.P. Aiyar is said to have had secret ties with the UK government, which favored an independent Travancore for access to the mineral monazite.
What was the UK government’s interest in Travancore?
The UK government hoped to gain exclusive access to the mineral monazite found in Travancore, which would provide an advantage in the nuclear arms race.
What event led to Sir C.P. Aiyar changing his mind about Travancore’s independence?
After surviving an assassination attempt by a member of the Kerala Socialist Party, Sir C.P. Aiyar changed his mind.
When did Travancore become a part of India?
Travancore became a part of India on July 30, 1947.
What was the religious majority in Jodhpur?
Jodhpur had a large Hindu population.
What was the peculiar inclination of Jodhpur towards Pakistan?
Despite having a Hindu king and a large Hindu population, Jodhpur had an odd inclination towards Pakistan.
Who was Hanvant Singh?
Hanvant Singh was a young and inexperienced prince of Jodhpur.
What did Hanvant Singh believe he could get from Pakistan?
Hanvant Singh believed that because his state was contiguous with Pakistan, he could get a better “deal.”
What did Jinnah offer to Maharaja Hanvant Singh?
Jinnah offered Maharaja Hanvant Singh a signed blank sheet of paper on which he listed all of his demands. He also offered free access to the Karachi port for the manufacture and import of arms, as well as military and agrarian assistance.
How did Sardar Patel respond to the dangers of Jodhpur acceding to Pakistan?
Sardar Patel immediately contacted the prince and offered him adequate benefits to prevent Jodhpur from acceding to Pakistan.
What benefits did Sardar Patel assure Hanvant Singh?
Patel assured Hanvant Singh that importing arms would be permitted, that Jodhpur would be linked to Kathiawar by rail, and that India would supply grain during famines.
When did Maharaja Hanvant Singh sign the Instrument of Accession?
Maharaja Hanvant Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on August 11, 1947.
What happened to Jodhpur after signing the Instrument of Accession?
Jodhpur became a part of the Indian Dominion after signing the Instrument of Accession.
Who ruled over the state of Bhopal?
A Muslim Nawab named Hamidullah Khan ruled over the state of Bhopal.
What was the religious majority in Bhopal?
Bhopal had a Hindu majority.
What was Hamidullah Khan’s stance on Congress’s rule?
Hamidullah Khan was an outspoken opponent of Congress’s rule.
What did Hamidullah Khan express to Mountbatten?
Hamidullah Khan expressed his desire for independence to Mountbatten.
How did Mountbatten respond to Hamidullah Khan’s desire for independence?
Mountbatten replied that “no ruler could run away from the dominion closest to him.”
What did the Prince of Bhopal decide to do by July 1947?
By July 1947, the Prince of Bhopal had decided to join the country, indicating his intention to accede to India.
Which princely state was the largest and wealthiest?
Hyderabad was the largest and wealthiest of all princely states.
Who was the ruler of Hyderabad?
Nizam Mir Usman Ali ruled over Hyderabad.
What was the religious composition of Hyderabad?
Hyderabad had a predominantly Hindu population.
What was the Nizam’s stance on joining the Indian dominion?
The Nizam of Hyderabad unequivocally demanded independence and refused to join the Indian dominion.
Whose support did the Nizam gain in his conflict with India?
The Nizam gained the support of Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League.
What action did the Indian government take when negotiations failed with the Nizam?
The Indian government dispatched troops to Hyderabad as part of ‘Operation Polo’ to bring the state under control.
When did the Indian army take full control of Hyderabad?
The Indian army took full control of Hyderabad on September 17, 1948, after a four-day armed conflict.
What was the Nizam’s role after Hyderabad’s integration with India?
The Nizam was appointed as the governor of the state of Hyderabad as a reward for his submission.
Which region was the princely state of Junagadh located in?
Junagadh was located in southwestern Gujarat.
Who was the ruler of Junagadh?
Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III ruled Junagadh.
What was the Nawab’s decision regarding joining the Indian union?
On September 15, 1947, Nawab Mahabat Khanji chose to join Pakistan despite objections from Mountbatten.
How did the rulers of Mangrol and Babariawad react to Junagadh’s decision?
The rulers of Mangrol and Babariawad declared independence from Junagadh and acceded to India.
How did the Nawab respond to the independence declarations of Mangrol and Babariawad?
The Nawab militarily occupied both Mangrol and Babariawad.
How did neighboring states and the Government of India react to Junagadh’s actions?
Neighboring states sent troops to the Junagadh border and requested help from the Government of India.
Why did India refuse to accept Junagadh’s choice of accession to Pakistan?
India emphasized that Junagadh had a significant Hindu population (80%) and called for a plebiscite on the issue of accession.
What measures did India take to oppose Junagadh’s decision?
India cut off fuel and coal supplies, severed air and postal links, sent troops to the border, and occupied the acceded-to-India principalities of Mangrol and Babariawad.
What agreement did Pakistan make regarding Junagadh?
Pakistan agreed to hold a plebiscite in exchange for the withdrawal of Indian troops.
How did India respond to Pakistan’s offer of a plebiscite?
India rejected Pakistan’s offer of a plebiscite.
When did the Nawab and his family flee to Pakistan?
The Nawab and his family fled to Pakistan on October 26.
What did Junagadh’s court do when faced with collapse?
Junagadh’s court invited the Government of India to take over the administration of the state.
Who was Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, and what did he decide?
Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the Dewan of Junagadh, decided to seek intervention from the Government of India.
How did the Indian government respond to Dewan’s invitation?
The Indian government accepted the Dewan’s invitation to intervene.
When was the plebiscite held, and what was the result?
The plebiscite was held in February 1948, and the result was almost unanimously in favor of India’s accession.
What happened to Junagadh after it became a part of the Indian state of Saurashtra?
Junagadh was absorbed into the state of Bombay on November 1, 1956.
How was the state of Bombay further divided, and which state did Junagadh become a part of?
In 1960, Bombay state was divided into the linguistic states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, and Junagadh became a part of Gujarat.
What was the religious composition of Kashmir?
Kashmir was a princely state ruled by a Hindu king over a predominantly Muslim population.
Why was the case of Kashmir unique and difficult?
Kashmir had significant international borders, making its situation unique and one of the most challenging.
What proposal did Maharaja Hari Singh make regarding Kashmir’s accession?
Maharaja Hari Singh proposed a cease-fire agreement to both India and Pakistan, pending a final decision on the state’s accession.
How did Pakistan respond to the cease-fire agreement?
Pakistan signed the cease-fire agreement but then invaded Kashmir from the north with an army of soldiers and tribesmen.
When did the tribal Pathans invade Kashmir?
The tribal Pathans swept into Kashmir in the early hours of October 24, 1947.
Whom did the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir seek assistance from?
The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir requested assistance from India and dispatched Sheikh Abdullah as his representative to Delhi.
When did Maharaja Hari Singh sign the “Instrument of Accession”?
Maharaja Hari Singh signed the “Instrument of Accession” on October 26, 1947.
What areas did India have jurisdiction over according to the “Instrument of Accession”?
According to the terms of the “Instrument of Accession,” India’s jurisdiction would include external affairs, communications, and defense.
What happened after the signing of the agreement?
Indian troops were airlifted into the state and fought alongside the Kashmiris.
When was the interim popular government formed in Kashmir, and who was its Prime Minister?
The interim popular government was formed on March 5, 1948, with Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah as the Prime Minister.
When was the state constituent assembly elected in Kashmir, and when did it convene for the first time?
The state constituent assembly was elected in 1951, and it convened for the first time on October 31, 1951, in Srinagar.
When was the Delhi Agreement signed and by whom?
The Delhi Agreement was signed in 1952 by the Prime Ministers of India and Jammu and Kashmir.
What did the Delhi Agreement grant to Jammu and Kashmir?
The Delhi Agreement granted Jammu and Kashmir a special position within the Indian Constitutional framework.
When did the J&K constituent assembly ratify the state’s accession to the Union of India?
The J&K constituent assembly ratified the state’s accession to the Union of India on February 6, 1954.
Under which article of the Constitution was a constitutional order issued?
A constitutional order was issued under Article 370 of the Constitution.
According to Section 3 of the J&K constitution, what is the status of Jammu and Kashmir?
Jammu and Kashmir is and shall remain an integral part of the Union of India.
When was the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019, promulgated?
The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019, was promulgated by the President of India on August 5, 2019.
What did the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019, do?
The order effectively repealed the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, which stated that provisions of the Constitution applicable to other states were not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir.
