Paramountcy, princes and Sardar Patel(1858-1947)

Abstract

Historical Survey: What led to the establishment of political paramountcy of the British in India; the biggest upsurge against the British-upto then most serious challenge to the British Imperialism and Colonialism in India is given. During this upsurge the relation of the paramountcy and Princely States, particularly the states in East Punjab has been highlighted. Economic and political aspects of these relations are given. Concept and implications of the paramountcy or discussed. Origin and evolution of the paramountcy and its relation with the Princely states during the period of the study have been examined-Paramountcy was a historical phenomenon that emerged from the Military and Political Supremacy and than economic interest of the British. Paramountcy was the outcome of the military supremacy and the outstanding feature of this relationship was also military supremacy-Paramountcy backed by the inaccessible forty ponder train. Non interference with the internal affairs of the states, proved to be only platitudinous and its violation rather than observance became the rule. How did Paramountcy deal with the socio economic, honour and foreign affairs of the Princes keeping in mind the British interest and intervention in these matters of the Indian States. Treaties and duties of Subordinate Co-operation was the main feature of the paramount power. Relations of the British with the Princely states were established in different walks of life, such as communication, transportation, road-building, trade in commerce etc. The theory of federation, its implementation, federal solution, process of unification, round table conferences, report of the Linlithgow committee, Chamber Session of 1937 and the federal proposal, Federation Scheme till 1938, Revised Draft of Instrument of a session, political department activities and the act, Hydari Committee Report; Prince's Aid-Memoir, Proposal for a white paper on Federation are the main characteristics of the issues of Federation, discussed and examined critically.