Integration of Jodhpur
In June 1947, a young and inexperienced king ascended over the throne of Jodhpur and began faltering in the commitment of his predecessor had made about joining India. Maharaja Hanvant Singh believed that he may get a better “deal” with Pakistan since his state was contiguous with the country. He entered into negotiations with the Governor General of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, who is averred to have given a “signed blank sheet of paper” to the king, to list all his demands. Jinnah offered him free access to Karachi airport to arms manufacturing and importing along with military and agrarian support.
Patel saw the risk of a border state acceding to Pakistan and immediately met Hanvant Singh and assured him that jodhpur would be allowed to import arms, that it would be connected to Kathiawar by rail and India would supply the state gains during famines.
After carrots, came the stick in form of more serious warnings – the young king was reminded that accession of a predominantly Hindu state to Pakistan would violate the basic tenet of two-nation theory and it would very likely cause communal violence.
On 11 August, 1947, Maharaja Hanvant Singh signed the Instrument of Accession and the state of Jodhpur was integrated into the Indian Dominion.
Integration of Junagadh
After Jodhpur, came the princely state Junagadh, situated on the southwestern end of Gujarat, who did not accede to the Indian union by August 15, 1947. It was the most important among the group of Kathiawar states, and contained a majority of Hindu population, however, it was ruled by the Nawab, Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III.
On September 15, 1947, Nawab Mahabat Khanji chose to accede to Pakistan arguing that Junagadh adjoined Pakistan by sea. The rulers of two states that were subject to the suzerainty of Junagadh, Mangrol and Babariawad reacted by declaring their independence from Junagadh and acceding to India. In response, the nawab of Junagadh militarily occupied the two states. Rulers of the other neighbouring states reacted angrily, sending troops to the Junagadh frontier, and appealed to the Government of India for assistance. India believed that of Junagadh was permitted to accede to Pakistan, the communal tension in Gujrat would worsen, and hence refused to accept the Nawab’s accession to Pakistan. The government called for a plebiscite to decide the question of accession. In the meantime, India cut off supplies of fuel and coal to Junagadh, severed air and postal links, sent troops to the frontier, and occupied the principalities that had agreed to accede to India. Pakistan agreed to discuss a plebiscite, subject to the withdrawal of Indian troops, a condition which India rejected.
On October 26, the Nawab emptied the state treasury of its cash and securities and along with his family fled to Pakistan.
On November 7, 1947 Junagadh’s Court invited the government of India to take over the state’s administration. Sir shah Nawaz Bhutto, the dewan of Junagadh decided to invite the Indian government, which the government accepted.
A plebiscite was conducted on February 1948, which went unanimously in favour of accession to India, where 99% of Junagadh’s people chose India over Pakistan. Junagadh became a part of the Indian state of Saurashtra until November 1, 1956, when Saurashtra became part of Bombay state. In 1960, Bombay was split into the linguistic states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, and since then Junagadh is part of Gujarat.
Integration of Hyderabad
The rich state of Hyderabad was rules by Nizam Mir Usman Ali, who was presiding over a large Hindu population. He very clearly and blatantly refused to join the Indian dominion. He drew support from Jinnah and the brawl over Hyderabad grew stronger over time. Both carrot and sticks from Patel and other mediators failed to change the unwavering mind of the Nizam, who kept expanding his army by importing arms from Europe.
During the same period, thing started to stir-up in Kashmir, and looking at this, the Nizam signed a Standstill Agreement with the Governor General Lord Mountbatten in November 29, 1947 under which both sides would have time to come up with an amicable solution. The agreement would be valid for one year and stated that foreign affairs, defence and communications would be in India’s control while the Nizam would have control over domestic affairs.
Things took a turn for the worse in June 1948 once Lord Mountbatten vacated office. The private militia called Razakars unleashed violence and targeted the Hindu residents of Hyderabad.
On September 13, 1948 Indian troops went to Hyderabad under ‘Operation Polo’. In this armed encounter which lasted for four days, Indian army gained full control of the state and Hyderabad became an integral part of India.
The Nizam was later rewarded for his submission and was made the Governor of the State of Hyderabad.
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