ISC Class 12 · Establishment of Indian Democracy

Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems of Integrating the Three Holdouts (ISC Class 12 History)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Three states did not accede by 15 August 1947. Junagarh's Muslim Nawab announced accession to Pakistan, but a popular movement and a plebiscite in February 1948 brought it to India. Hyderabad's Nizam wanted independence and was integrated after Operation Polo in September 1948. Kashmir's Hindu Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947 after raiders invaded; the dispute continues.

Compare how each state moved from problem to result: a vote, military action, and a signed accession; Kashmir's dashed box shows the dispute continues.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems and Solutions

What the syllabus asks. "Problems of integrating Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir." For each: the situation, the problem, the Indian response and the result. Use neutral wording for Kashmir: attribute positions to India and to Pakistan.

1. Junagarh.

*Problem.* A small state on the Kathiawar coast, with a Hindu-majority population (over four-fifths) under a Muslim Nawab, Mahabat Khan. It was surrounded by Indian territory and had no land link to Pakistan. On 15 August 1947, advised by his Dewan Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the Nawab announced accession to Pakistan, which accepted it in September 1947. Junagarh also claimed authority over the neighbouring states of Mangrol and Babariawad, which had acceded to India.
*Solution.* India refused to recognise the accession; Nehru and Patel held that the people should decide. The people protested, a provisional government (Arzi Hukumat) under Samaldas Gandhi was formed, and India imposed an economic blockade. The Nawab fled to Pakistan in October 1947; Bhutto invited the Indian government to take over, which it did in November. A plebiscite in February 1948 voted overwhelmingly to join India.

2. Hyderabad.

*Problems.* The largest and richest state, in the heart of the Deccan, with a Hindu-majority population ruled by a Muslim Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. He wanted independence, built up an army and arms supplies, and was encouraged by Pakistan. He signed a Standstill Agreement with India in November 1947 but used it to delay, lent money to Pakistan and took his case to the UN Security Council. The Razakars, an armed militia of the Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen led by Kasim Razvi, terrorised the people. A communist-led peasant uprising in Telangana added to the disorder. An independent Hyderabad would have cut India's north from its south.
*Measures.* Patient negotiations by Patel and Mountbatten; support for the popular movement led by the Hyderabad State Congress; economic pressure; and finally Operation Polo, the "police action". Indian troops entered on 13 September 1948 and the Nizam's forces surrendered within five days (17 September). A military governor, Major General J. N. Chaudhuri, took charge, the Razakars were disbanded and Razvi arrested. The Nizam was kept as Rajpramukh with a privy purse. Hyderabad became part of India (formally in 1950), and in 1956 its Telugu areas went to Andhra Pradesh.

3. Kashmir.

*Situation.* A Muslim-majority state ruled by a Hindu Maharaja, Hari Singh, bordering both India and Pakistan. He hoped to remain independent and offered Standstill Agreements. Sheikh Abdullah of the National Conference opposed the Maharaja's rule but was secular and opposed joining Pakistan.
*Events.* On 22 October 1947 tribal raiders from the North-West Frontier invaded and advanced towards Srinagar (India says they were supported by Pakistan; Pakistan disputes this). The Maharaja asked India for help; India required accession first. He signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947 and Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar on 27 October. Mountbatten, accepting the accession, said the people's wishes would be ascertained once law and order returned, and Sheikh Abdullah became head of the administration. India referred the matter to the UN Security Council on 1 January 1948. A ceasefire took effect from 1 January 1949, leaving part of the state under Pakistan's occupation. The Constitution gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status under Article 370.
*Why it remained a problem.* Pakistan never accepted the accession, and the ceasefire line divided the state.

Pattern. All three show a ruler whose religion differed from most of the people; in two, India appealed to the people's will, while in the third (Hyderabad) force was used after talks failed.

Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems and Solutions: key facts

Junagarh in dates: 15 Aug 1947 accession to Pakistan announced
Sept 1947 accepted by Pakistan
Oct 1947 Nawab flees
Nov 1947 India takes over
Feb 1948 plebiscite; Five steps.
Hyderabad in dates: Nov 1947 Standstill Agreement
13 Sept 1948 Operation Polo
17 Sept 1948 surrender
1950 formal integration
1956 Telugu areas to Andhra; Learn four.
Kashmir in dates: 22 Oct 1947 raiders invade
26 Oct Instrument of Accession
27 Oct troops airlifted
1 Jan 1948 UN reference
1 Jan 1949 ceasefire; Five dates.

How to answer Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems and Solutions questions

Questions normally name one state and ask for the problem and the solution. For a combined question, give each state one paragraph in the order Junagarh, Hyderabad, Kashmir.

1Give the ruler, his religion and the population's majority religion.
2State what the ruler wanted (Pakistan, independence) and the date he acted.
3Describe India's response in order: negotiation, pressure, then plebiscite or force.
4Give the result and the date; for Kashmir add what remained unresolved.
5Keep wording neutral and attribute claims.

Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems and Solutions in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Letting the people decide

Suppose a housing society with a majority of one view finds that its secretary alone has signed a contract with another society, and the residents protest and demand a vote.

Why does a vote strengthen the final decision?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The decision was taken without asking residents.
A vote shows what most residents want.
A decision backed by a vote is harder to challenge.

Answer: Asking the people gives a decision legitimacy; India's argument for the Junagarh plebiscite followed this idea.

Memory hook: Count the people.

Delay as a tactic

Imagine a tenant who signs a "no change for now" agreement with a landlord but uses the time to ask other buyers for offers.

What risk does this create for the landlord?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The agreement keeps things quiet for the moment.
The tenant gains time to seek other options.
The landlord must decide whether to wait or act.

Answer: A holding agreement can be used to buy time, as the Nizam did with the Standstill Agreement of November 1947.

Memory hook: Standstill can stall.

Tricks to remember Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems and Solutions

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

J-H-K as ruler versus people
Junagarh: Muslim Nawab, Hindu majority. Hyderabad: Muslim Nizam, Hindu majority. Kashmir: Hindu Maharaja, Muslim majority.
Use it when: The common pattern.
Solutions: People, Police, Pact
Junagarh solved by People (plebiscite), Hyderabad by Police action, Kashmir by Pact (Instrument of Accession).
Use it when: One-word recall of how each ended.

Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems and Solutions: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Junagarh's ruler · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Why was the accession of Junagarh to Pakistan not acceptable to India? [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Hindu-majority population (1 mark).
No land link to Pakistan; surrounded by Indian territory (1 mark).
Principle that the people should decide (1 mark).

Answer: Junagarh had a Hindu-majority population of over four-fifths ruled by a Muslim Nawab, and it was surrounded by Indian territory without a land link to Pakistan. Nehru and Patel held that the people should decide, so India refused to recognise the accession.

Example 2: Operation Polo · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

What was Operation Polo? Give its date and result. [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Police action by Indian troops in Hyderabad, 13 September 1948 (1 mark).
Nizam's forces surrendered on 17 September (1 mark).

Answer: Operation Polo, or the "police action", was the entry of Indian troops into Hyderabad on 13 September 1948. The Nizam's forces surrendered within five days, on 17 September 1948.

Example 3: Hyderabad's problems · 6 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Explain the problems India faced in integrating Hyderabad and the steps taken to solve them. [6]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Nizam wanted independence, built army, approached UN (2 marks).
Razakars and Telangana uprising (1 mark).
Negotiation, Standstill Agreement, economic pressure (1 mark).
Operation Polo and the aftermath (2 marks).

Answer: Hyderabad was the largest state, ruled by a Muslim Nizam over a Hindu-majority population. The Nizam wanted independence, built up an army and arms, lent money to Pakistan and took his case to the UN Security Council, using the Standstill Agreement of November 1947 only to delay. The Razakars of Kasim Razvi terrorised the people and a communist-led peasant uprising added to the disorder. India tried negotiation, supported the Hyderabad State Congress movement and applied economic pressure, and finally sent troops in Operation Polo on 13 September 1948. The Nizam surrendered, the Razakars were disbanded, and Hyderabad became part of India.

Example 4: Kashmir's accession · 6 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Describe the circumstances in which Kashmir acceded to India in October 1947. Why did the question remain unresolved? [6] (Analysis)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Maharaja's wish for independence; Standstill offers (1 mark).
Raiders on 22 October; request for help (2 marks).
Accession on 26 October; troops on 27 October; Mountbatten's statement (2 marks).
UN reference, ceasefire, Pakistan's position (1 mark).

Answer: Maharaja Hari Singh hoped to remain independent and offered standstill agreements to both dominions. On 22 October 1947 tribal raiders from the North-West Frontier invaded and advanced towards Srinagar. The Maharaja asked India for help; India required accession first, and he signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October. Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar the next day. Mountbatten said that the people's wishes would be ascertained once order was restored. India referred the matter to the UN on 1 January 1948, and a ceasefire from 1 January 1949 left part of the state under Pakistan's control. Pakistan did not accept the accession, and the ceasefire line divided the state, so the issue remained unresolved.

Example 5: Source-based: Junagarh · 6 marks · Source-basedHOTS / competency

Read the extract (written for this page) and answer.

A ruler on a coastal peninsula announced that his state, where most of the people shared a different religion from his own, would join the other dominion. Crowds protested, a provisional government was formed by a popular leader, and the Indian government cut supplies to the state. The ruler left for the other country; his chief minister invited India to run the state. Months later a vote was held.

(i) Name the state and its ruler. [1]
(ii) Name the popular leader who formed the provisional government. [1]
(iii) What was the result of the vote, and when was it held? [1]
(iv) Explain two reasons why India chose to settle the matter by public vote rather than by force. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(i) Junagarh; Nawab Mahabat Khan (1 mark).
(ii) Samaldas Gandhi (1 mark).
(iii) Overwhelmingly for India; February 1948 (1 mark).
(iv) Surrounded by Indian territory and no land link to Pakistan; people's will supported India's principle; the ruler had left and the state could be taken over peacefully (3 marks).

Answer: (i) Junagarh; its ruler was Nawab Mahabat Khan. (ii) Samaldas Gandhi formed the provisional government (Arzi Hukumat). (iii) The February 1948 plebiscite voted overwhelmingly to join India. (iv) The state was surrounded by Indian territory with no land link to Pakistan, so economic pressure was effective; India held that the people should decide, so a plebiscite confirmed its position; and the Nawab fled and the Dewan invited India to take over, so force was unnecessary.

Where students lose marks in Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems and Solutions

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Calling Kashmir a Muslim ruler with Hindu subjects
Reversing the pattern.
Wrong working
The Nizam of Kashmir was Muslim.
Right working
Kashmir's Maharaja Hari Singh was Hindu; the population was mostly Muslim.
Do this: Kashmir is the reverse of the other two.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: Dating Operation Polo to 1947
Confusing with the Standstill Agreement.
Wrong working
Operation Polo, 1947.
Right working
Standstill Agreement November 1947; Operation Polo September 1948.
Do this: Polo = 1948.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Taking sides on Kashmir
The question needs events, not an opinion.
Wrong working
Pakistan illegally attacked a rightful part of India.
Right working
India states that the Maharaja acceded legally; Pakistan has disputed the accession and the claims about raiders.
Do this: Attribute each position.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks (tone).
Mistake: Omitting the date of the Junagarh plebiscite
Skipping the end of the story.
Wrong working
Junagarh was occupied by India.
Right working
The administration was taken over in November 1947 and a plebiscite was held in February 1948.
Do this: Add "plebiscite, February 1948".
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

For three states in one question, write three short paragraphs in the same order each time: ruler, problem, solution.
Use neutral language for Kashmir; attribute claims to India or Pakistan.
Learn the key dates: 26 October 1947 (Kashmir), 13 September 1948 (Hyderabad), February 1948 (Junagarh).

Practice questions on Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems and Solutions

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
Who were the Razakars and who led them? [2]
Hint
An armed militia in Hyderabad.
Answer
The Razakars were an armed militia of the Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen in Hyderabad, led by Kasim Razvi, who terrorised people and attacked villages and trains.
Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level
When did Maharaja Hari Singh sign the Instrument of Accession? What reason made him do so? [3]
Hint
Raiders and the request for help.
Answer
He signed on 26 October 1947. Tribal raiders from the North-West Frontier had invaded Kashmir on 22 October and advanced towards Srinagar, and India agreed to send help only after accession.
Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Why was Hyderabad important to India's unity? Explain with two reasons. [4]
Hint
Location and size.
Answer
Hyderabad was the largest and richest state, in the heart of the Deccan, so an independent Hyderabad would have separated the north of India from the south. Its Hindu-majority population ruled by a Muslim Nizam also meant its status could cause communal tension.
Q4 · 5 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Compare the ways in which Junagarh and Hyderabad were brought into the Indian Union. [5]
Hint
Plebiscite versus police action.
Answer
In Junagarh, India used public protest, a provisional government and an economic blockade, then took over after the Nawab fled and held a plebiscite in February 1948. In Hyderabad, talks and a Standstill Agreement failed, so after Razakar violence and economic pressure Indian troops entered in Operation Polo on 13 September 1948. Junagarh was settled mainly peacefully; Hyderabad needed military action.
Q5 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
"The principle of the people's will was applied consistently to all three states." Discuss, giving evidence and noting where accounts differ. [6] (Evaluation)
Hint
Compare the plebiscite in Junagarh, the force in Hyderabad and the accession in Kashmir.
Answer
In Junagarh the principle was applied directly through a plebiscite. In Hyderabad India supported the popular State Congress movement and argued that the Nizam did not represent the people, but the final step was military action. In Kashmir the accession was signed by the Maharaja and Mountbatten said the people's wishes would be ascertained later; the question of a plebiscite has been disputed by India and Pakistan since. India's account stresses the legal accession and the changed circumstances, while Pakistan's accounts dispute the accession. So the principle was invoked in all three, but not applied in the same way, and in Kashmir it remained unresolved.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Who was the Nawab of Junagarh?Show answer
Mahabat Khan.
2.Who led the Arzi Hukumat of Junagarh?Show answer
Samaldas Gandhi.
3.Who was the Nizam of Hyderabad?Show answer
Mir Osman Ali Khan.
4.Who commanded the military governorship of Hyderabad after Operation Polo?Show answer
Major General J. N. Chaudhuri.
5.When did the Maharaja of Kashmir sign the Instrument of Accession?Show answer
26 October 1947.
6.Which article gave Jammu and Kashmir special status?Show answer
Article 370.

Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir: Problems and Solutions: frequently asked questions

Why did Junagarh join India?

After the Nawab's accession to Pakistan, public protest, a provisional government and a blockade followed; he fled, India took over in November 1947 and a plebiscite in February 1948 favoured India.

What was Operation Polo?

The Indian military action in Hyderabad on 13 September 1948, ending with the Nizam's surrender on 17 September.

How did Kashmir accede to India?

After the raiders' invasion of 22 October 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October and Indian troops were airlifted next day.

What remained unresolved about Kashmir?

The ceasefire line divided the state and Pakistan has not accepted the accession.