Notes Class 12 Chapter 7 History Maharashtra Board

Decolonisation to Political Integration of India

Introduction

Decolonisation refers to the process of ending colonial rule and transferring political and administrative power to local people. It involves three stages:

Opposition to colonialism.
Struggle for independence.
Regaining independence.

India gained independence on August 15, 1947, but faced challenges due to over 600 princely states ruled by hereditary rulers under British suzerainty. These states had to decide whether to join India, Pakistan, or remain independent. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, played a key role in integrating these states into the Indian Union.

7.1 Decolonisation to Political Integration of India

Princely States Challenge: At independence, India had over 600 princely states of varying sizes. Integrating them was a major task.
Political Awakening: The Non-Cooperation Movement inspired political awareness in these states.
Sardar Patel’s Role:
Adopted a conciliatory approach to win rulers’ trust.
Most states agreed to merge with India, except Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir.
Later, Patel used firm policies to resolve issues with reluctant states.

Key Princely States and Their Accession

Junagadh

Location: Saurashtra, Gujarat.
Issue: The Nawab wanted to join Pakistan, but the people supported merging with India.
Outcome: Public opposition forced the Nawab to flee to Pakistan. Junagadh merged with India in February 1948.

Hyderabad Freedom Struggle

Overview: Largest princely state, covering Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi regions, ruled by the Nizam.
Nizam’s Rule: Imposed strict restrictions on civil and political rights.

Resistance:

Organisations formed: Andhra Parishad (Telangana), Maharashtra Parishad (Marathwada), Karnataka Parishad (Karnataka).
Swami Ramanand Tirtha led the struggle, founding the Hyderabad State Congress.

Conflict:

Nizam opposed merger with India, favoring Pakistan.
Kasim Razvi’s Razakar organisation committed atrocities against pro-democracy activists.
Operation Polo: Indian government launched a police campaign in September 1948. Nizam surrendered on September 17, 1948, and Hyderabad merged with India.

Marathwada’s Role:

Leaders: Swami Ramanand Tirth, Govindbhai Shroff, Babasaheb Paranjape, and others.
Martyrs: Vedprakash, Shyamlal, Govind Pansare, and others.
September 17 is celebrated as Marathwada Liberation Day.

The Kashmir Issue

Ruler: King Hari Singh initially wanted Kashmir to remain independent.
Conflict: Pakistan planned to annex Kashmir. On October 22, 1947, armed intruders from Pakistan attacked.

Accession:

Hari Singh sought India’s help and signed the Instrument of Accession on October 27, 1947.
Indian Army recaptured significant territory, but Pakistan retained some areas.
International Issue: India raised the issue at the United Nations in 1948. UN failed to make Pakistan withdraw.
Resolution: The National Conference Party supported a plebiscite. Jammu and Kashmir’s constitution was drafted, integrating it into India with special status under Article 370.

7.2 Dadra and Nagar-Haveli

Location: Near Gujarat coast, on the northern banks of the Damanganga River.
Colonial Rule: Under Portuguese control, administered by a governor.

Struggle:

Post-independence, locals expected Portuguese withdrawal, but they refused.
Organisations like United Front of Goans and Azad Gomantak Dal led the resistance.
In 1954, leaders like Francis Mascarenhas and Vimal Sardesai intensified protests.

Key Events:

People captured Nagar-Haveli; United Front of Goans took Dadra.
Rashtravadi Mukti Sena (branch of Azad Gomantak Dal) seized Naroli, Pimparia, and parts of Silvasa.
Portuguese Captain Fidalgo surrendered after public unrest.
Merger: On August 2, 1954, Dadra and Nagar-Haveli merged with India. K.G. Badalani was appointed to restore administration.
Status: Declared a Union Territory in 1961.
Key Figures: Vishvanath Lavande, Rajabhau Vakankar, Sudhir Phadke, and others.

7.3 Goa

Colonial Rule: Under Portuguese control for 450 years.

Pre-Independence Movement:

1928: Goa Congress Committee founded in Mumbai, led by Dr. T.B. Kunha.
1939: “Quit Goa” slogans appeared.
1946: Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia launched the Civil Disobedience Movement in Goa but was arrested.
Dr. T.B. Kunha was imprisoned for 8 years in Portugal. Later, he published newspapers Azad Goa and Swatantra Goa.

Post-Independence Efforts:

1954: Goa Vimochan Sahayak Samiti formed in Pune, led by Keshavarao Jedhe, N.G. Gore, and Jayantrao Tilak.
Volunteers, led by N.G. Gore and Senapati Bapat, marched to Goa and hoisted the Indian flag at Panaji fort.

Key Contributions:

Mohan Ranade: Led anti-Portuguese propaganda and armed struggle with Azad Gomantak Dal. Injured and jailed until 1972.
Acharya P.K. Atre: Supported the movement through his newspaper Maratha.
Other leaders: Pandit Mahadevshastri Joshi, Shirubhau Limaye, Peter Alvaris, Sudha Joshi.

Operation Vijay:

Planned by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Indian Army, aided by locals, entered Goa. Portuguese surrendered within 48 hours.
Outcome: On December 19, 1961, Goa became part of India, ending Portuguese rule.

7.4 Puducherry

Colonial Rule: French colony, including Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam, and Chandranagar (West Bengal).

Post-Independence:

Expectations that French would leave after British departure were unmet.
French government resisted surrendering these regions.