Published Paper Details:

The paper intends the views, ideas, and actions of M.K. Gandhi in the process of unification of India during the struggle period and at the time of Indian independence. Further, it looks at his contribution to the integration of princely states in the Indian Union. Mainly, it traces the various stages of the evaluation of Gandhi's view towards princely India such as political, cultural, geographical, social, and historical perspectives. Gandhi criticized the relations between British India and Indian India. However, it tries to analyse the role of Gandhian philosophy as princely nationalist activities or tools and as a counterweight against British rule and native autocracy. It attempts to examine and explains the origins and the growth of Gandhian influence on the all-India princely states' political activities and movements. Besides the relationship of the Gandhian followers of British India and Indian India is also dealt with. Gandhi's non-interference and the obstructionist policy have been critically examined. He looked towards the princely states' problem as internal or indigenous; it was not major like colonial rule so the Indian National Congress (hereafter INC) should not interfere in that matter. Gandhi has expressed his opinion on the non-interference attitude during the freedom struggle of India and post-independence is a prominent place of this article. Apart from this, he has articulated different views to the national leaders and Indian India regarding events and situations of princely politics. The Gandhian thoughts and activities were landmarks in the movement of states for the responsible government in princely states and the unification of India.