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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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