Princely States

Princely States More than 500 Indian kingdoms and principalities that existed during the BRITISH RAJ period (1858–1947). Although their rulers preserved some autonomy they were bound by treaty to the British. The states, although scattered, made up two-fifths of India's territory. Their princes were Hindu, Muslim, and a few Sikh and Buddhist, some, like those of Hyderabad and Kashmir, ruling majorities of other faiths. Most ruled autocratically, but a few, like Mysore, were regarded as progressive. Many princes had been forced to accept indirect British rule during the era of EAST INDIA COMPANY expansion and paramountcy between 1757 and 1857. Mutual rivalries, historical, religious, and social, prevented coordinated resistance to British predominance. After 1857, when control of India passed to the crown, their collaboration was deliberately sought by confirmation of their internal autonomy. After 1877, when Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India, they participated in imperial DURBARS. On British withdrawal in 1947, they came under pressure to join either India or Pakistan. In Kashmir, Hyderabad, and Junagadh crises occurred, but most acceded peacefully, hoping some of their privileges, particularly financial, would be upheld. Many of the smaller states were grouped together into unions, for example the United States of Rajasthan. Legislation in 1970 abolished the special privileges of their ruling families.