Chapter 34 : The Indian States: Growth of Nationalism, Integration and Merger

By 1858, the British government had direct control over about three-fifths of the Indian subcontinent, while about two-fifths comprised 'princely states' or 'Indian States'.

• Definition: The Government of India Act, 1935 described a princely state as "any territory, whether described as a state, an estate, a jagir or otherwise under the authority of a ruler which is under the suzerainty of His Majesty" (the British monarch).
• Demographics & Geography: Numbered more than 500. Ranged from tiny states like Bilbari (population: 27) to massive ones like Hyderabad (population: ~14 million).
• Territorial Division: The East India Company acquired fertile coastal tracts and navigable river valleys; princely states were generally left with "the inaccessible and less fertile tracts of the Indian peninsula".

The Situation in the Princely States

• Indirect Rule & Paramountcy: Ruled by 'native' princes under indirect British rule. Princes acknowledged the British as the paramount power.
• British Guarantees to Princes:
• Fixed territorial boundaries.
• Security against external and internal threats (via the British Indian Army).
• Autonomy in domestic affairs.
• Consequences of Assured Security:

→ Princes faced no pressure to work for subject welfare or gain goodwill. → Autocracy and oppression prevailed. → High taxes were levied to meet British revenue demands and fund the princes' luxurious lifestyles.

• Administrative Reality:
• A British Resident in every state ensured rulers followed British diktats.
• Feudal elements like jagirdars controlled land and wielded authority over exploited peasants.
• Arbitrary legal systems prevailed, combining British Indian legal codes with personal decrees of rulers.
• Civil liberties and rights were practically unknown; education was outdated.
• Enlightened Exceptions: A small number of states introduced reforms, promoted industry/education, and established representative assemblies (though with limited powers and lacking real popular representation). These included: Mysore, Baroda, Travancore, Gwalior, Bhopal, Cochin, Datia, Pudukkottai, and Hyderabad.
• British Motive: The British deliberately kept most states backward to act as buffers against the growing tide of nationalism in British-ruled India.

Key Terms

📌 Exam Tidbits

• GoI Act 1935 provided the official definition of a princely state.
• Bilbari (27 people) vs Hyderabad (~14 million) illustrates the extreme size disparity.
• 9 States explicitly noted…