Indian Princely States: notes and MCQs for State PSC prelims

Indian Princely States is part of Modern History of India. Below are notes on 14 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers (coming soon).

Administrative Structures and Internal Governance of Princely States

Walker's Settlement was between the Gaek1. wads of Vadodara and the Saurashtra chiefs. The Gaekwads of Vadodara welcomed Walk2. er's Settlement as it ensured regular payment without military expeditions. Takhatsinhji introduced constitutional rule in 3. Bhavnagar State by establishing a council of state. After the death of Waghjee Thakor, Prince 4. Lakhdhirji Thakor was announced as the King of Morbi. Sir Waghjee aided in building roads and the 5. Railway network connecting Wadhwan with Morbi. Captain G. Birch negotiated the arrangement 6. making Chamba independent of Kashmir. Mysore was a Twenty-one-gun salute 7. princely state. M. Visvesvaraya, whose birthday is Engin8. eer's Day, was the Dewan of Mysore Princely State. Haoladars were local lords of the Princely 9. States during the British rule.

British Paramountcy and Post-1857 Policies

British Paramountcy post-1857: Policy shifted from annexation to 'subordinate union', ensuring internal autonomy of princely states under British sovereignty.
Princely states retained their rulers, but their external affairs, defence, and communications were controlled by the British.
Succession to princely state thrones required British approval, often granted via a 'Sanad', overriding traditional laws if deemed necessary by the British.
British 'Resident' or 'Political Agent': An officer stationed in major princely states to represent the Governor-General (later Viceroy) and exert British influence.
Treaty of Sagauli (1816): Concluded the Anglo-Nepalese War, leading to the departure of Gurkhas and the arrival of British influence in Shimla Hill states.
Treaty of Amritsar (March 1846): Concluded post-First Anglo-Sikh War, whereby the British sold Kashmir to Raja Gulab Singh, establishing the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Colonel Lawrence (Sir Henry Lawrence) was instrumental in mediating the arrangement that granted Chamba independence from Kashmir.
A Sanad was granted to the Raja of Bilaspur by the British in March 1846, confirming his possession of territory on the right bank of the Satluj.
Sindh was annexed by the British in 1843.
Ajmer was acquired by the British around June 25, 1818 AD, following the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
Sirohi State accepted the Treaty of Supremacy of the British Government in 1823.
Zalim Singh Jhala was the administrator of Kota state during the Treaty with the British in December 1818.
Lawa, recognized as a separate chiefship by the British in 1867, was previously a tributary estate of Tonk.
Bikaner was a Rajputana State that never paid tax to the Marathas.
Kharita: A formal letter or message sent by the Viceroy to a princely ruler, used for recognition of new rulers or other important communications.
Narendra Mandal (Chamber of Princes): A consultative body of rulers of princely states, established in 1921.
Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner was the first Chancellor of the Narendra Mandal.
Indian States Committee (also known as the Butler Committee) was formed in 1927 under the chairmanship of Sir Harcourt Butler, submitting its report in 1928.
The object of the Butler Committee (1927) was to improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States, and to examine the financial and economic relations.
Political Agents during the 1857 Revolt in Rajputana:

Jaipur: Colonel Eden
Mewar (Udaipur): Major C.L. Showers
Marwar (Jodhpur): Captain Monck Mason
Captain J.D. Hall was not the Political Agent for Bharatpur in 1857.

The Kings of Marwar and Bikaner were appointed as advisors to Empress Queen Victoria in 1876.
Maharana Shambhu Singh of Mewar initially refused but later accepted the title of Grand Commander of the Star of India.
Poet Bankidas praised Salumber Rawat Kesari Singh for his defiance against the British.
Chronological order of selected events/wars:

Battle of Saraighat: 1671 AD
Moamoria Rebellion: c. 1769 AD onwards
Second Anglo-French (Carnatic) War: 1750-54 AD
Second Anglo-Mysore War: 1780-84 AD
Second Anglo-Maratha War: 1803-05 AD
Treaty of Yandabo (ending First Anglo-Burmese War): 1826 AD
First Anglo-Sikh War battles:

Mudki: December 18, 1845
Baddowal: January 21, 1846
Aliwal: January 28, 1846
Sobraon: February 10, 1846

Second Anglo-Burmese War: 1852 AD
Second Anglo-Afghan War: 1878-80 AD

British Policy of Subsidiary Alliance and its Impact

The British Policy of Subsidiary Alliance was devised by Governor-General Lord Wellesley in 1798.
Primary Aims: To establish British paramountcy over Indian states, eliminate French influence, maintain a large standing army at the expense of Indian rulers, secure the Company's income, and control the foreign policy of allied states.
Key Terms & Conditions for Indian Rulers:

Accept a permanent British armed contingent within their territory.
Pay for the maintenance of this contingent (subsidy) or cede a part of their territory for the purpose.
Station a British Resident in their court.
Surrender their foreign policy; could not enter into agreements or engage in warfare with other rulers without British permission.
Could not employ any Europeans (other than British) in their service without British permission.
In return, the British would protect the ally from external aggression and internal rebellion.

Impact: Indian states lost their sovereignty, disbanded their own armies, became militarily and financially dependent on the British, and faced increased British control and interference in their internal affairs.
The Nizam of Hyderabad was the first Indian native ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance system in 1798.
Chronological Order of Major States Accepting Subsidiary Alliance: Hyderabad (1798) 1. Mysore (1799) 2. Tanjore (1799) 3. Awadh (Oudh) (1801) 4. Peshwa Baji Rao II (1802, by the 5. Treaty of Bassein on December 31, 1802) Bhonsle of Nagpur (1803, by the 6. Treaty of Deogaon, which led to the cession of Cuttack) Sindhia of Gwalior (1803, by the 7. Treaty of Surji-Arjangaon) Gaikwad of Baroda (1805) 8. Holkar (1818, the last Maratha state to 9. accept, after the Third Anglo-Maratha War)
Major Walker was appointed Political Resident in Baroda in May 1800. Anand Rao (of Gaikwad) defeated an Arab mercenary force in December 1801.
The Treaty of Surat (1775) was signed between the British and Raghunath Rao.
Subsidiary Alliance is distinct from the Doctrine of Lapse, which dealt with the succession of adopted heirs to childless rulers.

Challenges of Accession: Strategies and Negotiations

Kachchh was among the first princely states to sign the Instrument of Accession.
Kachchh became a C class state upon the Constitution of India's commencement.
Kachchh became a district when Bombay State was formed.
Baroda opted for direct dealing with the Constituent Assembly in 1946, bypassing the Chamber of Princes.
The ruler of Kishangarh signed the Instrument of Accession on 9 August 1947.
Jodhpur princely state attempted to accede to Pakistan.
Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh of Manipur signed the Instrument of Accession with India, ensuring Manipur's internal autonomy.
Shankar Rao Dev Committee, comprising 3 members (including chairman), was constituted to determine public opinion in Dholpur and Bharatpur regarding merger with Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh.

Doctrine of Lapse and Annexation Policies

Doctrine of Lapse: Policy introduced/popularized by Lord Dalhousie (GovernorGeneral 1848-1856).
Definition: British East India Company policy to annex princely states whose ruler died without a natural male heir, disallowing the right to adopt a successor.
Key Principle: Applied primarily to 'dependent states' (created by or subordinate to the British), not 'independent states' (those not dependent on British paramountcy).
States Annexed Under Doctrine of Lapse (Chronological Order):

Satara (1848) - First state annexed under the doctrine.
Jaitpur (1849)
Sambalpur (1849)
Baghat (1850)
Udaipur (1852) - Later restored to its ruler.
Jhansi (1853)
Nagpur (1854)

Other Annexation Policies:

Sind (1843): Annexed by Lord Ellenborough after military conquest (First Anglo-Afghan War).
Awadh (1856): Annexed by Lord Dalhousie on the pretext of "misgovernance" or "maladministration."
Awadh Resident: James Outram was the British Resident in Awadh at the time of its annexation.

States Not Annexed by British (Example): Gwalior remained a princely state until Indian independence.

Sayajirao Gaekwad (Baroda): Implemented significant social reforms including the Infant Marriage Prevention Act, Local Self Government Act, and free & compulsory schooling for all citizens.
Reformist Princely States: Travancore and Baroda are well-known for their progressive reformist policies.
Nainsi's Marwar ra Pargana ri Vigat:

Describes seven Parganas in Marwar.
Provides insights into the social, religious, and political history of the Parganas.
Details related to Merta Pargana are considered incomplete.
The statement claiming uniform fiveyear survey details for every village from Samvat 1715 to 1719 is generally considered incorrect as the comprehensiveness and specific period of survey details varied.

Krishna Kumari of Mewar: Died in July 1810 AD.
Female Infanticide (Kanyavadh) Oath: In 1837, during his Gaya pilgrimage, Rao Raja Ram Singh of Bundi state administered an oath to his feudal nobles to not resort to female infanticide.

Emergence and Nature of Princely States in Modern India

Alexander Cunningham: First European to draw attention to the history of royal families of Jalandhar and Trigarta.
Gorkhas conquered Sirmour princely state around 1803 CE.
Princely State Modernization/European Contacts:

The Peshwas: Had European doctors and scholars in their court.
Maharaja Sawai Jaysingh: Requested Portuguese king to send Portuguese astronomers.
Raghunath Navalkar: Learnt English and wrote well.
Raja Sarfoji of Tanjore: Built a library of English books and a laboratory for scientific experiments.

Peshwa Chronological Order: Balaji Viswanath (1713-1720), Bajirao I (1720-1740), Madhav Rao I (1761-1772), Narayan Rao (1772-1773).
Marathas agreed to serve the Mughal king with 15,000 cavalry in early 18th century on the condition of levying Chauth and Sardeshmukhi in the Deccan and South India.
Shah Alam II spent initial years as Emperor away from his capital due to internal political instability and lack of control over Delhi.
Surajmal is known as the 'Plato of the Jat tribe'.
Safdar Jang (Nawab of Awadh) was appointed Wazir of the Mughal Empire.
Raja Mansingh (of Amber) constructed the Mughal gate at Viratnagar.
Rana Pratap's cenotaph (chhatri) was raised at Bandoli.
Chamber of Princes (Narendra Mandal, est. 1921):

Comprised 120 members.
Approximately 231 smaller states were not directly represented.
The Viceroy of India served as its Chairman.

Colonel James Tod:

Authored "Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan".
His book "Travels in Western India" was published posthumously.
Did not write the history of Baroda and Ahmedabad.
Served as a British Political Agent, not directly in the court of Daulat Rao Scindia.
His "Annals" Vol I describes Mewar, and Vol II describes other Rajput states (including Marwar).

'Marwar ra Pargana ri Vigat' by Nainsi describes 7 Parganas.
Maharana Ari Singh (II) was the Maharana of Mewar during the Mewar and Maratha battle in Jan 1769 AD.
Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur was the first ruler to recruit Naga Dadupanthis into the army.
Rao Chandrasen fought "The Battle of Ranisar" with the Mughals in 1565 A.D.
Maharana Sanga granted Ajmer, Parbatsar, and Baneda Parganas as Jagir to Karamchand Panwar.
Prominent Maratha Confederacies and their Capitals/Regions:

Gaekwad: Baroda
Holkar: Indore
Sindhia: Gwalior
Bhonsle: Nagpur

Jogeswar Singha was installed as the King of Ahom Kingdom by the Burmese invaders in 1821.

Growth of Political Consciousness and Praja Mandal Movements

Praja Mandal Movement / State People's Movement was a parallel freedom struggle launched in Indian Princely States.
The First Praja Mandal was set up in Wadhwan.
Gopaldas Desai: President of Kheda District Congress Committee (1921); participated in Borsad and Bardoli Satyagrahas; founded Vitthal Kanya Vidyalaya and Vallabh Kanya Vidyalaya; elected to the Constituent Assembly from Kutchh.
Limbdi Satyagraha: Limbdi Prajamandal established on December 24, 1938, under Vitthalbhai Patel's leadership. The Prince of Limbdi was ready to hand over city administration but not for villages. Prajamandal announced a nationwide boycott of Limbdi state cotton.
All India States People Conference (AISPC): 1927.
Himalayan Riyasati Praja Mandal: 1938.
Kunihar Praja Mandal: 1939.
Dujam Movement: 1906.
Hyderabad State Congress Leaders & Roles: Govindbhai Shroff (In-charge, Marathwada struggle); M. Ramchandra Rao (Andhra); Dr. Melkote (Head of Action Committee); Digambar Rao Bindu (Hyderabad-Secunderabad Area).
Paropakarini Sabha was active in Kolhapur before the formation of the All India States Peoples' Conference.
Major Praja Mandal movements (1930s-1940s) occurred in Tripura, Nilgiri, Baroda, and Travancore.
Jawaharlal Nehru was the President of the All-India States’ Peoples’ Conference in 1939.
The second session of Rajputana Madhya Bharat Sabha (1919 A.D.) was held in Amritsar.
Nagpur Conference laid stress on the formation of representative government in the princely states.
Hiralal Shastri was not a member of 'Ajad Morcha' of Jaipur Prajamandal.
Bhogilal Pandya was not a member of Shahpura Prajamandal; he was associated with Dungarpur Prajamandal.
Govindgiri started preaching to the Bhils and Kolis from Bersa village in 1907.
Bharatpur Prajamandal: Established by Kishan Lal Joshi. Its name was changed to Praja Parishad after an agreement with the State Government on October 25, 1939. Thakur Deshraj formed Kisan Parishad in protest against this agreement.
Ranchhoddas Gattani was the President of the Third Annual Session of Marwar Lok Parishad held at Ladnu.
Bikaner Prajamandal celebrated “Bikaner Daman Virodhi Divas” on October 25, 1944.
Marwar Seva Sangh was established in 1920.
Chronological order of Prajamandals: Bikaner (1936), Mewar (April 1938), Karauli (July 1938), Bharatpur (October 1938).
Chronological order of Rajasthan martyrs: Bal Mukund Bissa (Jodhpur) 1942, Sagarmal Gopa (Jaisalmer) April 1946, Birbal Singh (Bikaner) July 1946.
Bikaner Lok Parishad was founded in Bombay in 1936.
Bikaner Rajya Praja Parishad was established in 1942 A.D.
Shri Satyadeo Vidyalankar inaugurated the Jagir-Muafi Praja Conference at Rajgarh, organized by Alwar Rajya Praja Mandal in June 1941.
Balwant Singh Mehta was the Chairman of Mewar Prajamandal established in 1938.
Dungarpur State Prajamandal was established in 1944 A.D.
Veer Bala Kalibai was martyred in the Rastapal Incident in 1947.
Nayanuram Sharma founded/presided over Haroti Praja-mandal.

Integration of Princely States: Sardar Patel's Role

Princely States Department: Established in July 1947, headed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with V.P. Menon as Secretary.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Known as the 'Bismarck of India' for his pivotal role in integrating princely states into the Indian Union. He served as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
Hyderabad Integration: Achieved through 'Operation Polo' in September 1948.
Junagadh Integration: Nawab fled to Pakistan; state acceded to India via a plebiscite.
Tehri Princely State: Merged with the Indian Union in 1949.
Vindhya Pradesh: Formed in 1948 by the merger of Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand.
Saurashtra Sangh: Formed on 15th February 1948, merging 222 principalities.
Matsya Sangh:

Formed on 18th March 1948 by merging Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli states.
Prime Minister: Shobha Ram.
Raj Pramukh: Udai Bhan Singh.
Merged into Greater Rajasthan on 15th May 1949.

Rajasthan Integration Phases:

Rajasthan Sangh (Poorva Rajasthan): Created on 25th March 1948, including Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar, Shahpura, Kishangarh, Tonk, Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh. (Udaipur was not part of this initial Sangh).
United Rajasthan: Formed on 18th April 1948, with the accession of Udaipur.
Greater Rajasthan: Inaugurated on 30th March 1949 by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
First Raj Pramukh of Greater Rajasthan: Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur.
Post-integration, Rajasthan was categorized as a Category B (II Category) state.

Sirohi Integration:

Divided into two parts in 1950.
Abu Road and Dilwara tehsils of Sirohi were merged into Bombay Province in 1950.
Gokul Bhai Bhatt is associated with the integration of Mt. Abu with Rajasthan.
In February 1948, Palanpur, Sirohi, and Vijaynagar were removed from the Rajputana Agency and placed under the Gujarat Agency.

Sardar Patel annulled the merger decisions for Kishanangarh and Shahpura.
C.D. Deshmukh resigned from the post of Finance Minister of India to support the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.

Legacy and Long-term Impact of Princely States

Hill State Council was established on 25th June, 1968.

Princely States at the time of India's Independence (1947)

At the time of India's independence (1947), there were 562 princely states.
The British Government, through the Indian Independence Act, 1947, declared an end to paramountcy, allowing states to accede to India or Pakistan or remain independent.
The decision regarding accession or independence was left to the princely rulers, not the people of the states.
States Initially Unwilling/Reluctant to Join Indian Union (until July 1947 and beyond):
Travancore: Its Diwan, C.P. Ramaswami Iyer, was among the first to declare independence in June 1947; it eventually acceded to India via an Instrument of Accession (not a plebiscite).
Bhopal: Its ruler, Nawab Hamidullah Khan, initially sought independence or a separate union, delaying accession until 1949; it was later integrated into the Central Administration as a Part C state.
Key Princely States and their Mergers/Integration:
Mayurbhanj: Merged into Orissa.
Kolhapur: Merged into Bombay Province.
Rampur: Merged into Uttar Pradesh.
Baroda and Bikaner: Were among the states that acceded to the Indian Union relatively early and without significant dispute.
Notable Rulers:
Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji: Was the last maharaja of Porbandar. His notable literary works include “From the Flow of Life”, “India’s Problems: Reflections of an Ex-Ruler”, and “International Solidarity”. He played one Test match for India in 1932 but did not captain India's first Test tour of England.
Manvendra Shah: Was the last king of Tehri State; he acceded to the Indian Union.
Matsya Sangh: Formed on March 17, 1948, including the princely states of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli.

Privy Purses and the Abolition of Princely Privileges

Privy Purses were tax-free payments guaranteed by the Government of India to former princely rulers after their accession and integration into the Indian Union.
These payments, along with special princely privileges (e.g., titles, gun salutes, immunity), were initially guaranteed by Articles 291 and 362 of the Indian Constitution.
The concept of Privy Purses and special privileges was a quid pro quo for the rulers surrendering their sovereignty and merging their states with India.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government initiated efforts to abolish these, viewing them as anachronistic and contrary to egalitarian principles.
In 1970, a Constitutional Amendment Bill aimed at abolition was introduced but failed to pass in the Rajya Sabha.
Subsequently, in September 1970, President V.V. Giri issued a Presidential Order derecognizing the rulers, which was later struck down by the Supreme Court in December 1970 (Madhav Rao Scindia v. Union of India).
Following a strong mandate in the 1971 general elections, the government successfully passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act.
The 26th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971 abolished Privy Purses and all special privileges of the former rulers of Indian princely states.
This Act achieved abolition by repealing Articles 291 and 362 and introducing Article 363A, which derecognized the rulers and removed their rights and privileges.

Role of Princely States in the Indian National Movement

Early Phase (Pre-1920s): Indian National Congress largely maintained a policy of noninterference in the internal affairs of Princely States.
Nagpur Session (1920): Indian National Congress for the first time declared its policy towards Indian States, endorsing popular movements for responsible government within the states.
All India States' Peoples' Conference (AISPC) (1927): Formed to coordinate political activities in princely states, aiming for responsible government under the aegis of the rulers. Jawaharlal Nehru presided over it in 1939.
Haripura Session (1938): Indian National Congress accepted to support and initiate the freedom struggle within princely states, though it directed Praja Mandals (local people's associations) to organize these movements independently of the main Congress.
Mysore Congress (1938):

First Session of Mysore Congress held in Shivapura in 1938.
T. Siddalingayya was the President of this session.
Around 20,000-30,000 people participated in the Shivapura session.
T. Siddalingayya was arrested by the authorities after hoisting the national flag.

Tripura's Involvement in Freedom Movement: Became involved early in the 20th century primarily because Bengal revolutionaries took shelter in the state, influencing local sentiments.
Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner:

Was a signatory of the Peace Treaty of Versailles (1919).
Prepared the famous 'Rome Note' (1917).
The 'Rome Note' outlined the Indian political situation during the second decade of the 20th century and proposed possible resolutions.
Represented India at the Imperial War Conferences and the League of Nations.

Special Cases: Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Kashmir

Hyderabad:
Ruler: Nizam (Mir Osman Ali Khan).
Declared independence on August 15, 1947.
Signed a Standstill Agreement with India in November 1947.
Nizam filed a complaint against India at the United Nations Organization.
India launched 'Police Action' / 'Operation Polo' in September 1948 to integrate the state.
Acceded to the Indian Union in September 1948.
Swami Ramananda Tirtha was a prominent Congress leader active in the Hyderabad freedom struggle.
Narayan Pawar attempted to assassinate the Nizam by throwing a bomb on December 4, 1947.
Coins used during the Asaf Jahi period: Hali Sicca, Mahbubia Sicca, Osmania Sicca.
Sardar Patel used police force to integrate Hyderabad.
Junagadh:
Ruler: Muslim Nawab (Mahabat Khan III); population was Hindu majority.
Nawab acceded to Pakistan on August 15, 1947.
India rejected the accession.