At the time of independence, India had 2 types of political units, namely, the British Provinces and the Princely States. Later on, the Indian Independence Act of 1947 led to the
formation of two independent and separate dominions, namely, India and Pakistan. Three options were available to the Princely States :
1. Joining India
2. Joining Pakistan
3. Remaining Independent
Total Number of Princely states were 552
Total Princely States that joined India were 549
Princely states of Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir refused to join India. But later on, Hyderabad was integrated to India by means of police actions, Junagarh by means of referendum and Kashmir by the Instrument of Accession.
When the Indian Constitution came into force, it contained a fourfold classification of the States of the Indian Union :
formation of two independent and separate dominions, namely, India and Pakistan. Three options were available to the Princely States :
1. Joining India
2. Joining Pakistan
3. Remaining Independent
Total Number of Princely states were 552
Total Princely States that joined India were 549
Princely states of Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir refused to join India. But later on, Hyderabad was integrated to India by means of police actions, Junagarh by means of referendum and Kashmir by the Instrument of Accession.
When the Indian Constitution came into force, it contained a fourfold classification of the States of the Indian Union :
| Parts | Consists of |
|---|---|
| Part A | 9 erstwhile Governor's Provinces of British India |
| Part B | 9 erstwhile Princely States with Legislatures |
| Part C | Erstwhile Chief Commissioner's Provinces of British - India and sone of the erstwhile Princely States, total 10 in numbers |
| Part D | The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were kept as the Solitary State |
