<h5>What problem did the British leave India with?</h5>  <p>British India was divided into parts: (i) states run by the British; and (ii) states run by princes (also known as the Princely States) who accepted the supremacy of the British in exchange for some control over their territory. Princely states constituted 1/3rd of the entire land territory of India before unification. </p>
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Before Independence was declared, the British announced that it would end its rule over India. This meant that all 565 Princely States would be free to become independent countries by themselves or join either India or Pakistan. Some states even announced their intention to become independent countries. 
</p> <h5>What was the approach of the government?</h5>  <p>The government was against the division of India into small different countries. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, then Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister negotiated with rulers and convinced them to become a part of unified India. This was a very difficult task since many states which we know of today were split into numerous states and regions having different administrations.
</p> <h5>How did the government make states agree to unification?</h5>  <p>A few facts helped the government in its negotiations. First, all people were in favour of democracy, something that the Princely States were unlikely to offer. Second, the recent partition of the country had brought the consolidation of territory into focus for everyone.  Third, the government was not rigid in its approach. It allowed the rulers of Princely States some level of autonomy to accomplish the larger goal of a unified India.</p>
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By August 1947, almost all states had signed a document called the ‘Instrument of Accession’. This document recorded the consent of the rulers of Princely States to become a part of unified India.
</p> <h5>Did all Princely States join unified India without complications?</h5>  <p>No. The accessions of some states like Junagadh, Hyderabad, Manipur, Kashmir etc. were more complicated. In Junagadh, a plebiscite was conducted which confirmed that it would become a part of unified India. </p>
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<p>The Nizam or ruler of Hyderabad entered into the Standstill Agreement with the government for a year. This Agreement allowed the government to control the states’ foreign affairs, defense, and communication. Whereas the Nizam would control the domestic affairs of the state. Meanwhile, resistance against the Nizam’s tyrannical methods grew in the state. He retaliated by ordering the Razakars (the state military) to attack those opposing his rule. The Indian government had to send its military to control the Razakars. Shortly after that, the Nizam surrendered to the Indian state.</p>
<p>The Maharaja of Manipur signed the Instrument of Accession a few days before India became independent. This document was signed on the assurance that that state would retain its internal autonomy. Soon after, the state became a constitutional monarchy. Different factions within the state opposed its consolidation with unified India. However, the government was able to pressure the Maharaja into signing a merger agreement. The people opposing this consolidation were not happy with this move. 
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When the British left, India was divided into 545 different pieces that had to be pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle. Let's see how this puzzle was solved!

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