UPSC Post-Independence India – Chapter 2: Integration of the Princely States (21 MCQs)

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UPSC Post-Independence India – Chapter 2: Integration of the Princely States (21 MCQs) – 21 questions, subject: History. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

Under the Instrument of Accession, the princely States handed over to the Union:

Correct Answer: A [defence, external affairs and communications]

Explanation:

The Instrument of Accession transferred only three subjects – defence, external affairs and communications – leaving internal affairs with the rulers.

2.  

The Secretary of the States Department in 1947 was:

Correct Answer: B [V.P. Menon]

Explanation:

V.P. Menon served as Secretary of the States Department set up on 5 July 1947, working under Minister Vallabhbhai Patel.

3.  

Operation Polo of September 1948 led to the integration of:

Correct Answer: A [Hyderabad]

Explanation:

Operation Polo, launched on 13 September 1948, ended the Nizam's resistance within days and brought Hyderabad into India.

4.  

The plebiscite in Junagadh was held on:

Correct Answer: C [20 February 1948]

Explanation:

After the Nawab fled to Pakistan, the plebiscite held in Junagadh on 20 February 1948 went overwhelmingly in favour of India.

5.  

The Razakars, who terrorised people before Operation Polo, were led by:

Correct Answer: C [Qasim Razvi]

Explanation:

Qasim Razvi led the Razakars, the armed militia of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen that terrorised people in Hyderabad in 1947–48.

6.  

The head of a Part B State under the original Constitution was called the:

Correct Answer: D [Rajpramukh]

Explanation:

Each Part B State, formed from former princely States or unions, was headed by a Rajpramukh, usually a leading former ruler.

7.  

Privy purses were abolished by the:

Correct Answer: C [26th Amendment]

Explanation:

The Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1971 abolished privy purses and the privileges of former rulers, omitting Article 291.

8.  

The Dewan of Travancore who announced that the State would be independent in 1947 was:

Correct Answer: D [C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar]

Explanation:

Sir C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar, Dewan of Travancore, declared independence in 1947; after protests and an attack on him, the ruler acceded.

9.  

The States Department was set up on:

Correct Answer: A [5 July 1947]

Explanation:

The States Department was created on 5 July 1947 under Vallabhbhai Patel, with V.P. Menon as its Secretary.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Junagadh's Nawab acceded to Pakistan in 1947.
2. Hyderabad signed a Standstill Agreement with India.
3. Kashmir acceded to India before 15 August 1947.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Junagadh's Nawab acceded to Pakistan in August 1947 and Hyderabad signed a Standstill Agreement in November 1947; Kashmir acceded only in October.

11.  

Assertion (A): Most rulers acceded to India before 15 August 1947.

Reason (R): The Instrument of Accession asked them to give up only three subjects and left internal affairs with them for the time being.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Rulers acceded readily because surrendering only defence, external affairs and communications left their internal autonomy intact – so R explains A.

12.  

PEPSU was a union of princely States in:

Correct Answer: D [Punjab]

Explanation:

PEPSU, the Patiala and East Punjab States Union, grouped Patiala, Nabha, Jind and other Punjab States; it merged into Punjab in 1956.

13.  

Which article of the original Constitution guaranteed privy purses?

Correct Answer: B [Article 291]

Explanation:

Article 291 of the original Constitution guaranteed tax-free privy purses to former rulers under their covenants and agreements.

14.  

Travancore and Cochin were united into one State in 1949 and later became part of:

Correct Answer: C [Kerala]

Explanation:

Travancore-Cochin, united in 1949, became part of Kerala when the new State was formed in 1956 on linguistic lines.

15.  

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed on the birthday of:

Correct Answer: A [Vallabhbhai Patel]

Explanation:

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) is observed on 31 October, the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

16.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Operation Polo
2. Junagadh plebiscite
3. Kashmir's Instrument of Accession
4. Manipur Merger Agreement

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [3-2-1-4]

Explanation:

October 1947, February 1948, September 1948, September 1949.

17.  

The peasant uprising against the Nizam's regime and landlords in 1946–51 took place in:

Correct Answer: A [Telangana]

Explanation:

The communist-led Telangana peasant struggle of 1946–51 fought the Nizam's regime, the Razakars and the big landlords (deshmukhs).

18.  

Arzi Hukumat was a provisional government formed against the ruler of:

Correct Answer: C [Junagadh]

Explanation:

The Arzi Hukumat, led by Samaldas Gandhi, was formed in Bombay in 1947 against the Nawab of Junagadh's accession to Pakistan.

19.  

The popular organisation that demanded democracy in the princely States from 1927 was the:

Correct Answer: B [All India States People's Conference]

Explanation:

The All India States People's Conference, founded in 1927, coordinated the popular movements demanding responsible government in the princely States.

20.  

After popular protests, the ruler of Travancore acceded to India in:

Correct Answer: D [July 1947]

Explanation:

his Dewan, Sir C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar, had announced that the State would be independent.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2007

Who wrote the book ‘The Story of the Integration of the Indian States’?

Correct Answer: D [V P Menon]

Explanation:

V.P. Menon, Secretary of the States Department under Patel, wrote the book (1956).

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