At Independence in 1947, India faced the massive challenge of integrating 565 princely states that became legally independent under the Indian Independence Act. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon led the historic unification through diplomacy, persuasion and carefully crafted agreements.

BulletsIn

• 565 princely states became independent after British withdrawal
• States given 3 choices: join India, join Pakistan, or remain independent
• Patel–Menon strategy: Instrument of Accession for defence, foreign affairs, communications
• Privy purse offered to ease accession and protect royal interests
• Early accessions: Bikaner, Baroda, several Rajasthan states
• Travancore initially resisted; signed after Dewan C.P. Ramaswami Iyer’s assassination attempt
• Junagarh’s Muslim ruler chose Pakistan; plebiscite led to integration with India
• Hyderabad resisted via Razakars militia; integrated after 1948 police action
• Kashmir acceded after Pakistani tribal invasion; conflict escalated to UN
• Patel integrated 562 of 565 states—historic foundation of territorial India