At the time of Indian independence in 1947, there were approximately 565 princely states within British India. These states were not part of the British provinces but were ruled by Indian rulers under the suzerainty of the British crown. Following independence, these states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan, or remain independent. At the Dawn of Independence, being convinced that the princely states should form a part of the overall Union of India, Sardar Patel wanted that democratic governments should be established in the states and the princes should join the Union of India as the federating units. In the process of nation-building, he wanted the citizens of the states to join him. He believed that the will of the people is supreme, and sovereignty rested not with the king but with the people only.
Keywords: Accession, Democracy, Nationalism, Paramountcy, Princely States,