Sardar Patel's Role in Integration of Princely states
Sardar Patel handled effectively the task of integration of princely states with his diplomatic skills and foresightedness. He followed carrot and stick policy. He made it clear to ruler of princely states that he does not.... He also appealed to the patriotic and nationalist sentiment of the princess and invited them to join democratic constitution in the national interest. By tactful methods such as promising privy purse, through his friendly advice and sometime by strong appeal he could succeed in bringing all the rulers together and merging their state into the Indian Union without blood shed. He believed that will of people supreme and sovereignty resist not with king but with people. Patel gave a personal touch to issues of princely states by considering the princes as his friends and was sure that his appeal would impact the minds of native rulers his tactful approach to the princes paved the way for merger of princely states. Patel's scheme for integration was also based upon convincing the states to sign the Instrument of Accession and standstill agreement. Instrument of Accession was the legal document that facilitated the accession of princely states to India. This document allows the state to retain control upon various areas such as culture, defence, administration while surrendering. Standstill Agreement signed with princely states as a temporary administrative agreement designed to maintain the status-quo of the princely state existing administrative and economic relations with British India until a final decision is made regarding the integration. By the end of 1949 Patel had succeeded in integrating the vast majority of princely states into Indian Union. This achievement was monumental as it ensure political and territorial integrity of Indian preventing fragmentation territory into multiple independent sovereign unity.