Which of the following statements regarding the integration of princely states and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is/are correct?
1. Sardar Patel initiated 'Operation Polo' to successfully integrate the princely state of Junagadh into the Indian Union.
2. The 'Instrument of Accession' was the standard legal document executed by princely states to accede to the Dominion of India.

Question

Accepted Answer

B) 2 only — Statement 1 is incorrect because 'Operation Polo' was the code name for the police action used to integrate Hyderabad, not Junagadh (which was integrated following a plebiscite). Statement 2 is correct, as the Instrument of Accession was the legal framework used by Patel and VP Menon to legally bind the princely states to India.

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