Instrument of Accession
There were more than 500 princely states in India at the time of independence. Integration of these princely states into the Indian Union was a great challenge. Sardar Patel was the Union Minister entrusted with this mission.
The Department of States was formed for this purpose.
He followed a policy of diplomacy. The Instrument of Accession was prepared to integrate the princely states. The Instrument of Accession stipulated that the princely states had to transfer their control over defence, external affairs and information and communication to the Government of India.
Sardar Patel and V.P.Menon, the Secretary of the Department of States prepared the Instrument of Accession.
