13. Fulfillment of Struggle for Independence
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Eight History.
ShareAdvertisement
- (1) There were more than six hundred small and big Princely States in India.
(a) States (b) Villages (c) Princely States (d) Cities - (2) All the princely states merged with India except the states of Junagad, Hyderabad and Kashmir.
(a) Aundh (b) Jhansi (c) Vadodara (d) Hyderabad
(1) Junagad merged within India.
- Junagad was a princely state in Saurashtra where the people strongly wanted to be merged with India.
- However, the Nawab of Junagad was thinking of joining Pakistan.
- The people strongly opposed his decision, and the Nawab left for Pakistan.
- As a result of the people's will, in February 1948, Junagad got successfully merged into India.
(2) The Indian Government started police action against the Nizam.
- The Nizam of Hyderabad took an anti-India stand and started making movements for merging the Hyderabad state with Pakistan.
- To reject the demand of the people of Hyderabad to be merged with India, Kasim Rizvi, an associate of the Nizam, formed the 'Razakar' organisation.
- Kasim Rizvi and his associates ruthlessly oppressed the Hindus and the Muslims who supported the democratic movement, leading to extreme inflammation of public opinion.
- The Government of India tried to negotiate patiently, but the Nizam refused to respond. Consequently, the Indian government started police action (named 'Operation Polo') on 13 September 1948.
(3) Hari Singh signed the 'Instrument of Accession' with India.
- Hari Singh, the ruler of the State of Kashmir, had initially decided to remain independent.
- Pakistan intended to secure the merger of Kashmir with Pakistan and started putting pressure on Hari Singh.
- At the instigation of Pakistan, armed intruders attacked Kashmir in October 1947.
- Facing this severe threat, Hari Singh signed the 'Instrument of Accession' with India to merge his state and secure defense from the Indian army.
Advertisement
Note: In the original textbook exercise, the numbering skips from Question 2 to Question 5.
(1) Explain the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the integration of Princely States.
- After the independence of India, Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel diplomatically found the way to merge the princely states into India.
- He took the rulers of the princely states into confidence and prepared an 'Instrument of Accession' that was acceptable to all.
- He successfully convinced the princely rulers of the benefit of merging into India, and they responded positively to his appeal.
- He took a very firm stand and effectively solved the complicated issues regarding the merger of reluctant states like Junagad, Hyderabad, and Kashmir.
(2) Explain the contribution of Swami Ramananda Tirth in the struggle for liberation of Hyderabad.
- In 1938, Swami Ramananda Tirth formed the Hyderabad State Congress to secure civil and democratic rights for the people of Hyderabad.
- Despite the Nizam banning the organisation, Swami Ramananda Tirth acted as a militant fighter and led the struggle for getting recognition and democratic rights.
- Under his leadership, in July 1947, the Hyderabad State Congress passed a decisive resolution for the merger of Hyderabad state into India.
Gather information and pictures related to the struggle for liberation of Hyderabad. Organise a Poster Exhibition based on it in the history department.
Note: This is an activity-based classroom project. Students are expected to independently gather pictures of Swami Ramananda Tirth, Kasim Rizvi, 'Operation Polo', and the Hyderabad Mukti Sangram to create an exhibition.