Integration of princely states

• There were around 600 Princely states in India.
• Britain gave options to join either India or Pakistan or to be Independent.
• For the integration of union minister, Sardar Vallabhai Patel entrusted with this mission.
• Sardar Vallabhai Patel appointed VP Menon, a Keralite, as a secretary of the department of the state.
• The Instrument of Accession, prepared by Sardar Vallabhai Patel and VP Menon, stipulated that the princely state had to transfer their control over defense, external affairs, and information and communication to the Government of India.
• Following the diplomacy and popular protest, many princely states signed in the Instrument of Accession.
• Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Junagarh resented and finally were integrated into the Indian Union.
• France - Pondicherry, Mahe, Yanam, and Karaikal are the remaining parts of France in India.