Contribution of Bihari Princely States in National Consciousness

Abstract

In the awakening of national consciousness, the role of all the princely houses of India has been significant and important. In the middle of the fourth decade, two closely related developments greatly influenced the then situation of the princely states. The first was a scheme to connect the princely states with the rest of India (British India) by the Government of India Act, 1935. By combining these, there was a plan to give India a federal form. The princely states were to get representation in the federal legislature, but the trick was that the right to choose representatives from the princely states should be given to the kings themselves. The number of representatives elected from the princely states was one-third of the total number of members of the federal legislature. The intention of the British government was to make the kings use these agents against the national movement. The 'Congress State in Conference' and other organizations sensed this trick of the British rule. Therefore, he demanded that the people themselves elect their representatives to represent the princely states. Agents of kings cannot be representatives of the people. This demand was a proof of the fact that even in the princely states, the people were now swearing for democratic government. In the end this plan was not implemented.