2022 · Q54
Which one of the following statements about Princely States’ in India is not correct?
history-of-indiafreedom-final
- AThe British Government declared that States were free to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent.
- BThe decision to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent was left not to the people of Princely States but to the Princely Rulers.
- CThe Ruler of Travancore first decided to remain independent.
- DThe State of Travancore finally joined India through a plebiscite.
Explanation
Option D is not correct: Travancore joined India through an Instrument of Accession signed in July 1947 — after Diwan C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar abandoned the bid for independence (following an assassination attempt on him) — and not through a plebiscite. (The famous plebiscite was in Junagadh, February 1948.) Statement A is true: with the lapse of paramountcy, the British declared the States free to join India or Pakistan or remain independent. Statement B is true: the decision rested with the princely rulers, not the people. Statement C is true: Travancore's ruler initially opted to remain independent. Hence option D.