State your opinion on the following statement: Political integration of the princely states was the biggest challenge faced by the leaders of independent India.

Answer: I agree with the statement.

• At independence there were more than 560 princely states covering about two-fifths of India's area.
• The Indian Independence Act, 1947 allowed them to join India or Pakistan or remain independent, which threatened India's unity.
• Some rulers such as those of Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir did not accede at first; police action was needed in Hyderabad, and Kashmir faced invasion.
• Sardar Patel and V. P. Menon used persuasion and firmness to get the Instrument of Accession signed. Without this integration India could not have stayed united, so it was the biggest challenge.