The problem

Just before Independence, the British government announced that with the end of their rule, the paramountcy of the British crown over the Princely States would also lapse. This was a legal doctrine that had given the British supreme authority over these states. Once paramountcy ended, all 565 Princely States would become legally independent.

The British took the view that each ruler was free to join India, join Pakistan, or remain independent. Crucially, this decision was left entirely to the princely rulers — not to the people of those states. This created a serious threat to the very existence of a united India.

The problems began almost immediately. The ruler of Travancore announced that his state had decided on independence. The Nizam of Hyderabad made a similar announcement the next day. Rulers like the Nawab of Bhopal were averse to joining the Constituent Assembly. This response meant that after Independence, India faced the very real possibility of being further divided into a number of small countries. …