1. Who invited the princely states to join India “to make laws sitting together as friends than to make treaties as aliens”?
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Lord Mountbatten
Show Answer
Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Sardar Patel, one of the key leaders in the Indian independence movement, played a crucial role in integrating princely states into independent India. He invited princely states to join India on the premise of collaboration and friendship rather than imposing domination. His diplomatic skills were instrumental in securing the accession of many princely states.
2. How many princely states were there in India when the British rule came to an end?
- 654
- 632
- 565
- 549
Show Answer
Answer: 565
At the time of British rule coming to an end in 1947, there were 565 princely states in India. These states covered approximately 40% of India’s total land area but constituted only 23% of the total population. Their diverse sizes, populations, and geographical locations posed unique challenges during the integration process.
3. What was the term used for the princely state under the British rule that had been granted a gun salute by the British Crown?
- Cannon State
- Salute State
- Feudal State
- Action State
Show Answer
Answer: Salute State
Princely states that were granted a gun salute by the British Crown were referred to as Salute States. The gun-salute system, introduced during the East India Company rule in the late 18th century, was a way of recognizing the status and importance of princely rulers based on the number of gun salutes they received in formal ceremonies.
4. Which princely state of British India had the highest population?
- Hyderabad
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Mysore
- Baroda
Show Answer
Answer: Hyderabad
The princely state of Hyderabad, under the rule of Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, had the highest population among princely states during British rule. It covered an extensive area of over 200,000 square kilometers and had a population of more than 16 million.
5. Who was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir?
- Gulab Singh
- Pratap Singh
- Hari Singh
- Karan Singh
Show Answer
Answer: Hari Singh
Hari Singh was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. After India gained independence in 1947, he faced the choice of acceding to India, joining Pakistan, or remaining independent. Following an invasion by Pashtun tribesmen from Pakistan, Hari Singh chose to accede to India, with the recommendation of Lord Mountbatten, the last British Viceroy of India.
6. What was the name of the operation conducted by the Indian Army in 1948 during the Hyderabad Campaign?
- Operation Shakti
- Operation Unity
- Operation Polo
- Operation Maitri
Show Answer
Answer: Operation Polo
The Hyderabad Campaign, aimed at integrating the princely state of Hyderabad into independent India, was known as Operation Polo. It commenced on September 13, 1948, and by September 17, the Nizam’s army surrendered, leading to the integration of Hyderabad into India.
7. Who was the last Nizam of Hyderabad?
- Muzaffar Jung
- Salabat Jung
- Asaf Jah V
- Asaf Jah VII
Show Answer
Answer: Asaf Jah VII
Asaf Jah VII, also known as Mir Osman Ali Khan, was the last Nizam of Hyderabad. He is often referred to as the “Architect of modern Hyderabad.” After the annexation of Hyderabad by India in 1948, he served as the Rajpramukh from January 26, 1950, to October 31, 1956.
8. What was the stand of the princely state of Junagarh when India gained independence?
- It joined India immediately after India’s independence
- It wanted to join Pakistan
- It wanted to remain independent
- It joined Pakistan immediately after independence
Show Answer
Answer: It wanted to join Pakistan
The princely state of Junagarh expressed a desire to join Pakistan after India’s independence in 1947. However, the Hindu population within the state objected to this decision, leading to Junagarh’s integration into India in 1948.
9. Who was the last ruler of the princely state of Junagarh before its annexation with India?
- Mohammad Rasul Khanji
- Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III
- Mohammad Hamid Khanji III
- Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III
Show Answer
Answer: Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III
Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III was the last ruler, or Nawab, of the princely state of Junagarh. He reigned from 1911 to 1948, after which Junagarh was integrated into India. He later moved to Karachi and passed away in 1959.
10. Even if there were a large Hindu population and a Hindu king, which of the following princely states had a tendency to join Pakistan after India’s Independence?
- Gwalior
- Jodhpur
- Travancore
- Baroda
Show Answer
Answer: Jodhpur
Jodhpur, despite having a predominantly Hindu population and a Hindu king, initially displayed a tendency to join Pakistan after India’s independence. However, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s diplomatic efforts successfully led to Jodhpur’s integration into India as part of the State Reorganisation Act of 1956, and it became a part of the state of Rajasthan.
Q11: Hamidullah Khan was the last sovereign Nawab of which of the following princely states?
1. Gwalior
2. Jodhpur
3. Travancore
4. Bhopal
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Hamidullah Khan served as the last sovereign Nawab of Bhopal, which became a princely state in 1818. On June 1, 1949, Bhopal was taken over by the Union Government of India, and it subsequently became a part of independent India.
Q12: Which among the following was the first princely state to merge into independent India based on demand to make it a district?
1. Jamakhandi
2. Jhalawar
3. Kapshi
4. Kothi
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: Jamkhandi was the first princely state to merge into independent India. Founded by Shrimant Gopalrao Patwardhan in 1811, it is located in the present-day state of Karnataka.
Q13: After the independence of India, which among the following states announced that they did not intend to join either dominion?
1. Travancore
2. Bhopal
3. Hyderabad
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
1. 1 & 2
2. 1 & 3
3. 2 & 3
4. 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Following India’s independence, princely states such as Travancore, Hyderabad, and Bhopal initially expressed their intentions to remain independent and not join either of the newly formed dominions, India or Pakistan.
Q14: Who among the following person of British origin played an important role in convincing reluctant monarchs to accede to India?
1. Clement Attlee
2. Winston Churchill
3. Lord Mountbatten
4. Anthony Eden
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last British Viceroy of India, played a significant role in convincing reluctant monarchs and princes to accede to India. His diplomatic skills and the trust he had built with many of the princely states’ rulers were instrumental in facilitating the integration of these states into independent India. One such example is his close association with the Nawab of Bhopal, Hamidullah Khan.
Q15: Who among the following declared that any princely state which refused to join the Constituent Assembly would be treated as an enemy state?
1. B.V. Patel
2. S.P. Sinha
3. Jawaharlal Nehru
4. C. Rajagopalachari
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: In May 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, made a significant declaration stating that any princely state refusing to join the Constituent Assembly would be treated as an enemy state. This declaration underscored the importance of princely states’ integration into the newly independent India.
Q16: Which among the following acted as the key documents that were produced by B.V Patel and V.P Menon?
1. Standstill Agreement
2. Instrument of Accession
3. Forceful integration
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
1. 2 only
2. 1 & 2
3. 2 & 3
4. 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 2
Explanation: B.V. Patel and V.P. Menon played crucial roles in facilitating the integration of princely states. They were responsible for drafting key documents like the Standstill Agreement, which ensured the continuation of pre-existing agreements, and the Instrument of Accession, which granted control over specified subject matters to the Indian government.
Q17: Considering the process of integration of princely states, which among the following pair(s) is/are correct?
1.Hyderabad – Police action
2. Kashmir – Instrument of Accession
3. Junagarh – By means of a referendum
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
1. 1 & 2
2. 1 & 3
3. 2 & 3
4. 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Initially, three princely states refused to join India: Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Junagarh. Hyderabad was integrated through a police action, Kashmir through the Instrument of Accession, and Junagarh through a referendum.
Q18: Muhammad Ali Jinnah offered blank sheets of paper to which of the following princely states to write the terms to join Pakistan that he would sign?
1. Jodhpur
2. Jaisalmer
3. Both of them
4. None of the above
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s founder, extended an offer to the rulers of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer to write the terms for joining Pakistan, which he would sign. However, both princely states refused this proposal. Lord Mountbatten’s intervention ultimately led to Jodhpur’s decision to join India.
Q19: The first step of integrating the smaller states was carried out between which of the following time periods?
1. 1947-1949
2. 1947-1952
3. 1948-1950
4. 1948-1952
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: The integration of smaller princely states took place during 1947-1949, primarily focusing on the smaller, less viable states. However, some larger states near India’s boundaries were also asked to sign Merger Agreements during this period.
Q20: Which among the following was the correct order of the four-step integration?
1. Reorganisation-Merger-Democratisation-Centralisation and constitutionalisation
2. Merger-Democratisation-Centralisation and constitutionalisation-Reorganisation
3. Democratisation-Centralisation and constitutionalisation-Reorganisation-Merger
4. Reorganisation-Merger-Centralisation and constitutionalisation-Democratisation
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: The correct chronological order for the four-step integration process of princely states was Reorganisation, Merger, Democratisation, and Centralisation, culminating in constitutionalization.
Q21: The princely union Vindhya Pradesh was constituted with which among the following states?
1. Bundelkhand States
2. Union of Baghelkhand
3. Malwa Union
Choose the correct code:
1. 1 and 2
2. 1 only
3. 1 and 3
4. 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: Vindhya Pradesh, a princely union, was formed in 1948 by combining the Bundelkhand States and the Union of Baghelkhand. On January 25, 1950, it was officially named Vindhya Pradesh. In 1956, Vindhya Pradesh was merged into the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Q22: Even after the enactment of the constitution, the relationship of which among the following states with India continued to be governed by the original Instrument of Accession?
1. Kashmir
2. Mysore
3. Hyderabad
Choose the correct code:
1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2
3. 1 and 3
4. 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: Even after the enactment of India’s constitution, the relationship between Kashmir and India continued to be governed by the original Instrument of Accession. The Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir was elected in 1951, and its constitution was adopted on November 17, 1956, coming into force on January 26, 1957. On August 5, 2019, the Government of India abrogated Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, thereby altering the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Q23: Even after the integration of the princely states, which among the following places in India were still colonies of France?
1. Pondicherry
2. Karaikal
3. Chandernagore
4. All of the above
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: After the integration of most princely states into India, several regions remained as colonies of foreign countries. Pondicherry, Karaikal, Chandernagore, Yanam, and Mahe were French colonies. Additionally, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Goa were Portuguese colonies.
Q24: Which among the following princely states of British Raj immediately joined Pakistan?
1. Makran
2. Kharan
3. Las Bela
4. Kalat
Choose the correct option
1. 1, 2, 3
2. 2, 3, 4
3. 1, 3, 4
4. 1, 2, 3, 4
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Makran, Kharan, Las Bela, and Kalat joined Pakistan soon after India’s independence. Initially, Kalat considered remaining independent, but on March 27, 1948, it acceded to Pakistan.
Q25: Which amendment of the Indian constitution withdrew official recognition of all official symbols of princely India?
1. 7th Amendment
2. 26th Amendment
3. 42nd Amendment
4. 44th Amendment
Show Answer
Answer: 2
Explanation: The 26th Amendment of the Indian Constitution, enacted in 1971, abolished the official symbols, titles, privileges, and privy purses of princely rulers. This amendment marked the official end of the special status and recognition of the princely states in India.
Q26: What was the function of the agent of the agency of British India in the princely states?
1. Representative of the Viceroy
2. In charge of law and order
3. Revenue collection
4. None of the above
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: Agents of the agency of British India in princely states acted as representatives of the Viceroy. In tribal tracts, which were integral parts of British territory, agents were responsible for maintaining law and order.
Q27: The Eastern States Agency was constituted with which among the following agencies?
1. Chhattisgarh States Agency
2. Andhra States Agency
3. Bengal States Agency
4. Orissa States Agency
Choose the right option:
1. 1, 2,3
2. 1,3, 4
3. 2, 3, 4
4. All of the above
Show Answer
Answer: 2
Explanation: The Eastern States Agency was formed by merging the Chhattisgarh States Agency, Bengal States Agency, and Orissa States Agency in 1933. It was later expanded in 1936 when the Bengal States Agency was added to its jurisdiction.
Q28: When did the North-East Frontier Agency become the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh?
1. 1950
2. 1952
3. 1956
4. 1972
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: The North-East Frontier Agency, now known as Arunachal Pradesh, gained the status of a Union Territory on January 20, 1972. It was previously administered from Shillong and later transferred to Itanagar in 1974. On February 20, 1987, Arunachal Pradesh was granted full statehood.
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