The interim government took a firm stance against the possible division of India into smaller principalities of different sizes.

Question

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions: 

The interim government took a firm stance against the possible division of India into smaller principalities of different sizes. The Muslim League opposed the Indian National Congress and took the view that the States should be free to adopt any course they liked. Sardar Patel, India’s Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Minister during the crucial period, immediately after Independence, played a historic role in negotiating with the rulers of Princely States in bringing most of them into the Indian Union.

1. Which government has been referred to as the interim government? 

2. Why did the Muslim League oppose the Indian National Congress? 

3. What makes the role of Sardar Patel a historic one? Explain.

Answer 1

1. The Indian National Congress has been referred to as the interim government. 

2. The Muslim League opposed the Indian National Congress because it was of the view that the states should be free to adopt any course they liked. 

3. Sardar Patel was India’s Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Minister during the crucial period immediately following Independence. He negotiated with the rulers of princely states firmly but diplomatically and brought most of them into the Indian Union.