Question

How was Junagadh State merged into the Indian Union?

Answer 1

Hint: Post-Independence, an option was given to Indian princely states under the Indian Independence Act 1947 either to join the Indian union or to Pakistan. Junagadh ruler, Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III, was in favor of joining Pakistan, but the people were in favor of joining the Indian Union. They revolted against a ruler.

Complete answer:
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel merged Junagadh into the Indian Union by military force when its ruler announced it's joining Pakistan. He was in Pakistan when Patel annexed it. Junagadh ruler ( now in Gujarat), had the opinion that as Junagadh joined Pakistan by sea, it should be a part of Pakistan. Junagadh was a Hindu majority state under a Muslim ruler. When Pakistan accepted its instrument of accession, the Government of India was outraged by this fact. Communal tensions were rising in the area. Indian government stopped the supplies of fuel and coal to this province. A plebiscite was conducted in the province in which over 99% voted in favor of joining the Indian Union. The government of India sent a military force to annex it later. Nawab of Junagadh fled to Pakistan with his family with provincial wealth and cash.

Note: The Dewan of Junagadh, Shah Nawaj Bhutto, decided the Indian Government to intervene which was accepted by the Indian Government. and then, with the efforts of Patel, it was integrated into the Indian Union. Later on, in Nov 1956, Saurashtra became part of Bombay State. In 1960, the Bombay State was divided into two states, Gujarat and Maharashtra, based on language.