White Paper on Indian States (1950)/Part 5/Provincially-merged States/States Merged in the United Provinces
108. States Merged in the United Provinces.—The States within the geographical orbit of the United Provinces were merged during the last phase of the process of integration. One of these, Tehri-Garhwal, is situated in the Himalayas bounded on the north by the Himachal Pradesh and the other sides by the Garhwal and Dehra Dun Districts of the United Provinces. The State had an area of 4,516 square miles with a population of about 397,000 and a revenue of about Rs. 3,700,000. For administrative, ethnic and other reasons the State formed a part of the United Provinces. The Ruler and the popular Ministry in office agreed to the merger of the State with the United Provinces. The Merger Agreement (Appendix XXI) was signed by the Ruler on May 18, 1949 and the administration was taken over by the Government of the United Provinces on August 1, 1949.
109. Another State which formed a small enclave within the United Provinces was Benares which had an area of 866 square miles with a population of over 450,000 and a revenue of about Rs. 3,500,000. Subject to suitable safeguards as regards his position in respect of religious ceremonies connected with Kashi, the Ruler was agreeable to the merger of the State with the United Provinces. The Agreement (Appendix XXII) was signed on 5th September, 1949 and the administration of the State was taken over by the Government of the United Provinces on 15th October, 1949.
110. Another State which was almost an island in the United Provinces and had to depend on that Province for all its essential needs was Rampur. It had an area of 894 square miles with a population of 477,000 and a revenue of about rupees ten millions. It was felt that in view of the special set-up of the State and in deference to the wishes of the Ruler, the State should remain under Central administration for some time. The Ruler signed the Instrument of Merger (Appendix XXIII) on 15th May, 1949 and the administration was taken over by a Chief Commissioner on behalf of the Government of India on 1st July, 1949. The administration was carried on in the closest co-operation with the Government of the United Provinces. For obvious reasons the State could not remain indefinitely as a Centrally administered area and with the concurrence of the Ruler it was decided to merge it with the United Provinces; the administration was taken over by the Provincial Government on December 1, 1949.
APPENDIX XXI
TEHRI-GARHWAL MERGER AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT MADE THIS 18th day of May 1949 between the Governor General of India and the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal.
WHEREAS in the immediate interests of the State and its people, the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal is desirous that the administration of the State should be integrated as early as possible with that of the United Provinces in such manner as the Government of the Dominion of India may think fit;
It is hereby agreed as follows:—
Article 1
The Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal hereby codes to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the State and agrees to transfer the administration of the State to the Dominion Government on the first day of August, 1949 (hereinafter referred to as "the day").
As from the said day, the Dominion Government will be competent to exercise the said powers, authority and jurisdiction in such manner and through such agency as it may think fit.
Article 2
The Maharaja, his heirs and successors, shall with effect from the said day be entitled to receive from the revenues of the State annually for big privy purse the sum of three lakhs of rupees free of taxes. This amount is intended to cover all the expenses of the Ruler and his family, including expenses on account of his personal staff, maintenance of his residences, marriages and other ceremonies, etc., and will neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever.
The said sum nay be drawn by the Maharaja in four equal instalments in advance at the beginning of each quarter by presenting bills at the State Treasury or at such other Treasury as may be specified by the Dominion Government.
Article 3
The Maharaja shall be entitled to the full ownership, use and enjoyment of all private properties (as distinct from State properties) belonging to him on the date of this agreement.
The Maharaja will furnish to the Dominion Government before the 30th June, 1949, an inventory of all the immovable property, securities and cash balances held by him as such private property.
If any dispute arises as to whether any item of property is the private property of the Maharaja or State property, it shall be referred to such officer with judicial experience as the Dominion Government may nominate and the decision of that officer shall be final and binding on both parties.
Article 4
The Maharaja, the Maharani, H. H. Maharaja N. Shah, the Rajmata, the Yuvraj and the Yuvrani shall be entitled to all personal privileges enjoyed by them whether within or outside the territories of the State, immediately before the 15th day of August, 1947.
Article 5
The Dominion Government guarantees the succession, according to law and custom, to the gaddi of the State and to Maharaja's personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles.
Article 6
No enquiry shall be made by or under the authority of the Government of India and no proceedings shall lie in any court against the Maharaja whether in a personal capacity or otherwise in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him or under his authority during the period of his administration of that State.
Article 7
(1) The Government of India hereby guarantees either the continuance in service of the permanent members of the Public Services of Tehri-Garhwal on conditions which will be not less advantageous than those on which they were serving on the first day of May, 1949, or the payment of reasonable compensation.
(2) The Government of India further guarantees the continuance of pensions and leave salaries sanctioned by the Maharaja to members of the Public Services of the State and of the Tehri-Garwal State Forces who have retired or proceeded on leave preparatory to retirement and also guarantees grant of pensions, gratuities and leave earned by and due to the members of the aforesaid Public Services of the State and of the Tehri-Garhwal State Forces.
Article 8
Except with the previous sanction of the Government of India no proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be instituted against any person in respect of any act done or purporting to be done in the execution of his duties as a servant of the State before the said day.
In confirmation whereof Mr. Vapal Pangunni Menon, Adviser to the Government of India in the Ministry of States, has appended his signature on behalf and with the authority of the Governor-General of India and His Highness Maharaja Manabendra Shah, Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal has appended his signature on behalf of himself, his heirs and successors.
V. P. MENON,
Adviser to the Govt. of India,
Dated the 18th May 1949.
APPENDIX XXII
BENARES MERGER AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT MADE THIS 5th day of September 1949 between the Governor General of India and His Highness the Maharaja of Benares.
WHEREAS in the immediate interests of the State and its people, His Highness the Maharaja of Benares is desirous that the administration of the State should be integrated as early as possible with that of the United Provinces in such manner as the Government of the Dominion of India may think fit;
It is hereby agreed as follows:—
Article 1
The Maharaja of Benares hereby cedes to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the State and agrees to transfer the administration of the State to the Dominion Government on the 15th day of October 1949, (hereinafter referred to as "the said day").
As from the said day, the Dominion Government will be competent to exercise the said powers, authority and jurisdiction in such manner and through such agency as it may think fit.
Article 2
The Maharaja, his heirs and successors shall with effect from the said day be entitled to receive from the revenues of the State annually for his privy purge the sum of Rupees 2,80,000 free of taxes. This amount is intended to cover all the expenses of the Ruler and his family, including expenses on account of his personal staff, maintenance of his residences, marriages and other ceremonies, etc., and will neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever.
The said sum may be drawn by the Maharaja in four equal instalments in advance at the beginning of each quarter by presenting bills at the State Treasury or at such other Treasury as may be specified by the Dominion Government.
Article 3
The Maharaja shall be entitled to the full ownership, use and enjoyment of all private properties (as distinct from State properties) belonging to him on the date of this agreement.
The Maharaja will furnish to the Dominion Government before the 5th September, 1949, an inventory of all the immovable property, securities and cash balance held by him as such private property.
If any dispute arises as to whether any item of property is the private property of the Maharaja or State property it shall be referred to such officer with judicial experience as the Dominion Government may nominate and the decision of that officer shall be final and binding on both parties.
Article 4
The Maharaja and his family shall be entitled to all personal privileges enjoyed by them whether within or outside the territories of the State, immediately before the 15th day of August, 1947.
Article 5
The Dominion Government guarantees the succession according to law and customs, to the gaddi of the State and to the Maharaja's personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles.
Article 6
No enquiry shall be made by or under the authority of the Government of India and no proceedings shall lie in any court against the Maharaja whether in a personal capacity or otherwise in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him or under authority during the period of his administration of that State.
Article 7
(1) The Government of India hereby guarantees either the continuance in service of the permanent members of the Public Services of Benares on conditions which will be not less advantageous than those on which they were serving on the first day of August 1949 or the payment of reasonable compensation.
(2) The Government of India further guarantees the continuance of pensions and leave salaries sanctioned by the Maharaja to members of the Public Services of the State and of the Benares State Forces who have retired or proceeded on leave preparatory to retirement and also guarantees grant of pensions, gratuities and leave earned by and due to the members of the aforesaid Public Services of the State and of the Benares State Forces.
Article 8
Except with the previous sanction of the Government of India no proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be instituted against any person in respect of any act done or purporting to be done in the execution of his duties as a servant of the State before the said day.
In confirmation whereof Mr. Vapal Pangunni Menon, Adviser to the Government of India in the Ministry of States, has appended his signature on behalf and with the authority of the Governor-General of India and His Highness Maharaja Vibhuti Narain Singh, Maharaja of Benares, has appended his signature on behalf of himself, his heirs and successors.
VIBHUTI NARAIN SINGH,
VIBHUTI NARAIN SINGH,V. P. MENON,
Adviser to the Government of India,
APPENDIX XXIII
RAMPUR MERGER AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this fifteenth day of May, between the Governor-General of India and the Nawab of Rampur.
WHEREAS in the best interests of the State of Rampur as well as of the Dominion of India it is desirable to provide for the administration of the said State by or under the authority of the Dominion Government;
AND WHEREAS the Nawab has accepted the advice given to him by the Dominion Government in this behalf.
It is hereby agreed as follows:—
Article 1
The Nawab of Rampur hereby cedes to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the State and agrees to transfer the administration of the State to the Dominion Government on the 1st day of July 1949 (hereinafter referred to as "the said day").
As from the said day, the Dominion Government will be competent to exercise the said powers, authority and jurisdiction in such manner and through such agency as it may think fit.
Article 2
The Nawab shall continue to enjoy the same personal rights, privileges, immunities, dignities and titles which he would have enjoyed had this agreement not been made.
Article 3
The Nawab shall with effect from the said day be entitled to receive for his life-time from the revenues of the State annually for his privy purse the sum of rupees seven lacs free of all taxes. After him the privy purse will be fixed at rupees six lacs and sixty thousand. This amount is intended to cover all the expenses of the Ruler and his family including expenses of account of his personal staff, maintenance of his residences, marriages and other ceremonies, etc., and will neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever.
The Government of India undertakes that the said sum of rupees seven lacs shall be paid to the Nawab in four equal instalments in advance at the beginning of each quarter from the State Treasury or at such other Treasury as may be specified by the Government of India.
Article 4
The Nawab shall be entitled to the full ownership, use and enjoyment of all private properties (as distinct from State properties) belonging to him on the date of this agreement.
The Nawab will furnish to the Dominion Government before the 30th June 1949 an inventory of all the immovable property, securities and cash balances held by him as such private property.
If any dispute arises as to whether any item of property is the private property of the Nawab or State property, it shall be referred to a judicial officer nominated by the Government of India and the decision of that officer shall be final and binding on both parties.
Article 5
All the members of the Nawab's family including his consorts and children shall be entitled to all the personal privileges, dignities and titles enjoyed by them whether within or outside the territories of the State, immediately before the 15th day of August, 1947.
Article 6
The Dominion Government guarantees the succession according to law and custom to the gaddi of the State and to Nawab's personal rights, privileges, immunities, dignities and titles.
Article 7
No enquiry shall be made by or under the authority of the Government of India, and no proceedings shall lie in any Court, against the Nawab, whether in a personal capacity or otherwise in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him or under his authority during the period of his administration of that State.
Article 8
(1) The Government of India hereby guarantees either the continuance in service of the permanent members of the Public Services of Rampur on conditions which will be not legs advantageous than those on which they were serving on the 1st of May, 1949, or the payment of reasonable compensation.
(2) The Government of India further guarantees the continuance of pensions and leave salaries sanctioned by the Nawab to members of the Public Services of the State and of the Rampur State Forces who have retired or proceeded on leave preparatory to retirement and also guarantees the grant of pensions, gratituities and leave earned by and due to the members of the aforesaid Public Services of the State and of the Rampur State Forces.
Article 9
Except with the previous sanction of the Government of India no proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be instituted against any person in respect of any act done or purporting to be done in the execution of his duties as a servant of the State before the day on which the administration is made over to the Government of India.
In confirmation whereof Mr. Vapal Pangunni Menon, Adviser to the Government of India in the Ministry of States, appends his signature on behalf and with the authority of the Governor-General of India and Nawab Sir Syed Raza Ali Khan has appended his signature on behalf of himself, his heirs and successors.
RAZA ALI KHAN,
V. P. MENON,
Adviser to the Government of India,
Dated, New Delhi, the 15th May, 1949.