In the first of the two-part series, we discuss how despite having a stronghold over the Muslim faction, the Nizam’s proposal of joining Pakistan was...

Indore and Gwalior conceded, rather reluctantly, to merge into a single union despite having a hostile history towards each other

Geographically fragmented regions of Kathiawar opted to be merged into a united state which would be called Saurashtra

Maharaja Pratap Singh failed utterly to provide leadership towards integration of smaller Gujarat states into the Union — a gap that necessitated...

Following thew previous article, this week we discuss the formation of Part-C states of Tripura, Manipur, Vindhya Pradesh, Coorg and Delhi

Integration of princely states was clubbed in Part-A, Part-B and Part-C states — the last of which saw the popular movement for merger with...

Last week, we discussed the integration of the princely states with the Republic of India – a Herculean task indeed for it was like putting cheese and...

Princely states in British India were accorded hierarchical significance through cannon salutes, depending upon their fealty to the crown

Building on the first part wherein dissatisfaction with ‘United Provinces’ was highlighted, this part shows how a new name came out of the blue,...

The need for a new noun was felt as ‘United Provinces’ didn’t resonate with the identity of people and the profound metamorphosis of the state during...

After changing many hands through the long passage of history, NCR in its new form remains a bustling centre of socio-economic and political life

Protest against the UP government’s reservation laws, though meant to counter political exclusion, finally transpired into a separate administrative...