Question

Answer the following question with the help of given points:

Write about the merger of Kashmir princely state:

1. Invasion of armed intruders from border of Pakistan
2. Instrument of Accession
3. Merger

Answer 1

1. Invasion of armed intruders from border of Pakistan: Hari Singh, the ruling king of the State of Kashmir, had decided neither to join India, nor Pakistan after India’s independence. However, Pakistan had plans to annex Kashmir to its territory. Therefore, Pakistan began to pressurise King Hari Singh. On 22nd October 1947, armed bands of intruders attacked Kashmir from the Pakistan border.
2. Instrument of Accession: King Hari Singh, who wanted to maintain independent status, asked India for help. On 27th October 1947, he consented to merge Kashmir in India and officially submitted the Agreement (Instrument of Accession) to the Government of India. The Indian Army was sent for Kashmir’s protection.
3. Merger: It captured a significant portion of Kashmir’s territory that was acquired by the armed intruders from Pakistani border, however, they managed to keep their hold on some portion. In 1948, India presented the Kashmir issue in ‘United Nations’. Thus, Kashmir issue became an international issue. Even the ‘United Nations’ could not persuade Pakistan to withdraw their troops from the territory of Kashmir occupied by them. However, then the ‘National Conference Party’ decided on plebiscite to solve the issue and to accede Kashmir to India. The constitution of Jammu and Kashmir was drafted and since then JammuKashmir has been an integral part of the Republic of India. It was accorded a special status under ‘Article 370’.