India became the independent democratic country on 15th August 1947 following the partition as two countries like India and Pakistan. The British Indian Province were directly under the control of the British Government and thus transferred to India. The Princely States free to join India or Pakistan. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took charge of the Indian States Department. He dealt with matters arising between Central Government and the Indian States.
All States except a few acceded to Indian Union in accordance with an ‘Instrument of accession’. Nearly 565 States except junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir acceded Indian Union. The process of integration was three-fold and known as Patel Scheme. Firstly merger of small states with adjoining provinces, secondly grouping of small states and thirdly integration into Chief Commissioner’* Province.
This process was taken place successfully by means of the virtual leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
