During the partition of India in 1947, the princely states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan. At that time, there were 565 princely states in India which covered around 40% of the country’s land area and housed around 20% of its population.The Indian Independence Act of 1947 provided for the princely states to accede to either India or Pakistan. The Act also stipulated that the princely states would be free to make their own decisions regarding accession.

1. The majority of the states 548 acceded to India while 14 joined Pakistan. The remaining three states, Hyderabad, Junagadh and Kashmir had a more complex status.
2. The princely states that acceded to India were integrated into the country’s administrative structure. Some states like Mysore and Travancore merged with neighboring provinces to form new states. Others like Hyderabad and Kashmir became separate states within the Indian union.
3. The 14 princely states that acceded to Pakistan were mainly located in the northwest of the subcontinent. These states including Bahawalpur and Kalat merged with the North West Frontier Province to form the province of West Pakistan.
4. The three states that did not immediately accede to either India or Pakistan were eventually integrated into the Indian union. Hyderabad was annexed by India in 1948 after a military operation. Junagadh was also annexed by India after its ruler’s decision to accede to Pakistan was disputed by the Indian government. Kashmir’s status remains disputed to this day with India and Pakistan both claiming sovereignty over the state.

In summary the majority of the princely states acceded to India while a smaller number joined Pakistan. The integration of the princely states with India helped shape the country’s modern geography and politics.