Integration of most of the princely states occurred in 1947. All Princely States merged in the Union of India in 1947 except Junagarh, Jammu and Kashmir and Hyderabad and these three States were compelled to join the Union of India till the end of 1948. Sardar Patel, who took charge of the state department in July 1947, tackled the situation with great statesmanship. Patel appealed to the patriotic and Nationalist sentiments of the Princes and requested the States to be hand over to the authority of External Affairs, Defence and Communications to the Indian Dominion. The Integration of Princely states had taken proper shape in his leadership. ....Read more