📘 Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions

🏫 Standard VIII – History

📖 Chapter 13: Fulfillment of Struggle for Independence

✍️ 1. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

🔹 (1) There were more than six hundred small and big __________ in India.

  • (a) States
  • (b) Villages
  • (c) Princely States
  • (d) Cities

✅ Answer: Princely States

🔹 (2) All the princely states merged with India except the states of Junagadh, __________ and Kashmir.

  • (a) Aundh
  • (b) Jhansi
  • (c) Vadodara
  • (d) Hyderabad

✅ Answer: Hyderabad

🧠 2. Explain the following statements with reasons.

🔸 (1) Junagadh merged with India.

✅ Answer:

  • Junagadh was a princely state in the Saurashtra region.
  • The Nawab of Junagadh wanted to merge the state with Pakistan.
  • This decision was strongly opposed by the people, who wanted to join India.
  • Due to public opposition, the Nawab fled to Pakistan, and Junagadh was merged with India in February 1948.

🔸 (2) The Indian Government started police action against the Nizam.

✅ Answer:

  • In July 1947, the Hyderabad State Congress passed a resolution demanding the merger of Hyderabad with India.
  • The Nizam adopted an anti-India stand and attempted to merge Hyderabad with Pakistan.
  • The Razakar organisation led by Kasim Rizvi committed atrocities against people supporting democracy.
  • The Nizam ignored the appeals of the Government of India for peaceful negotiations.
  • Finally, the Government of India launched police action on 13 September 1948, and Hyderabad was merged with India.

🔸 (3) Hari Singh signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’ with India.

✅ Answer:

  • Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, initially wished to remain independent.
  • Pakistan was keen on merging Kashmir with itself and began pressurising Hari Singh.
  • Armed intruders, supported by Pakistan, attacked Kashmir in October 1947.
  • As a result, Hari Singh signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’ with India for protection.

📝 3. Answer the following questions in brief.

🔹 (1) Explain the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the integration of Princely States.

✅ Answer:

  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister, played a crucial role in integrating the princely states.
  • He tactfully handled the issue and convinced the rulers that joining India was in their best interest.
  • He drafted the ‘Instrument of Accession’, which was acceptable to most rulers.
  • As a result, all princely states except Junagadh, Kashmir, and Hyderabad merged with India.
  • These remaining states were also integrated later.
  • Thus, Patel ensured the political unity of India.

🔹 (2) Explain the contribution of Swami Ramanand Tirth in the struggle for the liberation of Hyderabad.

✅ Answer:

  • Hyderabad was the largest princely state, ruled by the autocratic Nizam.
  • The people were denied civil and political rights.
  • In 1938, Swami Ramanand Tirth founded the Hyderabad State Congress.
  • When the organisation was banned, a struggle began for democratic rights and recognition.
  • In July 1947, the Hyderabad State Congress passed a resolution demanding merger with India.
  • Swami Ramanand Tirth was supported by leaders like Narayan Reddy and Siraj-ul-Hasan Tirmiji.

Scroll to Top