It is said that history is past politics. What we know today as history was politics in the past. For those who are interested in history, the politics of the early days after India’s independence makes quite an interesting history. Of the many topics of interest is the Instrument of Accession. It was a legal document executed by the rulers of the princely states under British paramountcy to join one of the new dominions of India or Pakistan created by the Partition of British India.
The Instrument of Accession was first introduced by the Government of India Act 1935 and used in 1947 to enable each of the rulers of the princely states to join one of the new dominions. The document gave the ruler of the princely state the option to accede to either India or Pakistan, or to remain independent. It is said that there were 565 princely states existing in India during the period of British rule. These were not parts of British India proper, having never become possessions of the British Crown, but were tied to it in a system of subsidiary alliances and were under the suzerainty of the Crown. The Instrument of Accession was a controversial document, as it gave the rulers of the princely states a great deal of power. Some people argued that the document was undemocratic, as it allowed the rulers of the princely states to decide the fate of their subjects without their consent. Others argued that the document was necessary to ensure the smooth transition to independence.
In the end, most of the princely states acceded to India. However, there were a few exceptions, such as Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Kashmir. These states eventually acceded to India after a period of conflict. The Instrument of Accession is still a controversial document today. Some people argue that it is a relic of a bygone era, and that it should be abolished. Others argue that the document is still relevant, as it provides a legal framework for the relationship between the central government and the states. The Instrument of Accession was a complex and controversial document. However, it played an important role in the transition to independence for India and Pakistan.
The Accession of Manipur in 1949 and the merger of Tripura with India that same year, the Annexation of Goa in 1961 referred to as the ‘Liberation of Goa’ and the incorporation of Sikkim into the Indian Union in 1975, are all interesting historical events which were essentially politics of that period of time. All of these happened after India’s independence. The history of Excluded Areas, Partially Excluded Areas and the Unadministered Areas are also interesting themes that need to be revisited time and again to better understand politics. What is even more interesting is that the politics of today will be read as history in the future.