Question

How did sardar vallabhbhai patel succeed in avoiding the evil consequences of the doctrine of lapse of paramountcy and in integrating indian states?

Answer 1

Sardar Patel's plan to integrate princely states:
Rapid Integration of States: To avoid these consequences, it was urgent to merge these states in Indian dominion as soon as possible. For this purpose, Home Ministry of India came up with Instrument of Accession which would make States to accede only defence, external affairs and communication rights to Indian dominion. Many states found this offer generous and signed the agreement quickly. This made accession of states quick and most of the states were integrated within two years of independence. Rapid integration avoided the evil consequences.Creating Unions out of States:But mere accession of states to India was not enough. There were many small states and maintaining federal relations with all these states was difficult. So it was necessary to create unions out of states. But this was more difficult task as individual states were reluctant to give up their identity. Here Sardar Patel used the pressure of agitation going on in the States. Rulers were unable to handle the agitation, Some of them had already handed over the administrator to responsible governments. Had rulers not agreed to create union, they would have to depend upon the mercy of responsible government.