With reference to the Princely States during the Raj, consider the following statements: 1. They covered less than 10 % of the area of the subcontinent. 2. They acknowledged the paramountcy of the British Crown. 3. When the British left, the constitutional status of the princes remained ambiguous. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 and 3 only. Explanation The Princely States were semi-sovereign entities governed by local rulers under the suzerainty (paramountcy) of the British Crown. Unlike "British India," which was directly administered by the colonial government, these states maintained internal autonomy while surrendering control over defense and foreign affairs to the British. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Princely States occupied a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent, not merely a small fraction. Historically, they covered approximately 40% to 45% of the total land area and housed roughly 23% to 28% of the population of pre-partition India. The figure "less than ten %" is factually erroneous. - Statement 2 is Correct. The relationship between the Princely States and the British was defined by the concept of Paramountcy. The states acknowledged the British Crown as the paramount power. This relationship was formalized through various treaties and later reaffirmed by the Butler Committee (1927), which stated that "Paramountcy must remain paramount," ensuring the Crown's ultimate authority over the states. - Statement 3 is Correct. The Indian Independence Act, 1947, declared that the suzerainty of His Majesty over the Indian States would lapse on August 15, 1947. The Act did not transfer paramountcy to the newly created dominions of India or Pakistan. This created a constitutional vacuum or ambiguity: legally, the states became independent and sovereign, but politically and geographically, they were compelled to accede to one of the two dominions. The lack of a clear, mandatory mechanism for integration in the Act itself left their immediate status ambiguous until Instruments of Accession were signed. Key Takeaway Paramountcy defined the subordination of Princely States to the British Crown. Upon independence, the lapse of paramountcy (under the Indian Independence Act, 1947) technically restored their sovereignty, creating a complex constitutional challenge regarding their integration into India or Pakistan.

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

mcqmedium

With reference to the Princely States during the Raj, consider the following statements:

They covered less than 10 % of the area of the subcontinent.
They acknowledged the paramountcy of the British Crown.
When the British left, the constitutional status of the princes remained ambiguous.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A2 only
B1 and 2 only
C1, 2 and 3
D2 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

The Princely States were semi-sovereign entities governed by local rulers under the suzerainty (paramountcy) of the British Crown. Unlike "British India," which was directly administered by the colonial government, these states maintained internal autonomy while surrendering control over defense and foreign affairs to the British.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect.
The Princely States occupied a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent, not merely a small fraction. Historically, they covered approximately 40% to 45% of the total land area and housed roughly 23% to 28% of the population of pre-partition India. The figure "less than ten %" is factually erroneous.
Statement 2 is Correct.
The relationship between the Princely States and the British was defined by the concept of Paramountcy. The states acknowledged the British Crown as the paramount power. This relationship was formalized through various treaties and later reaffirmed by the Butler Committee (1927), which stated that "Paramountcy must remain paramount," ensuring the Crown's ultimate authority over the states.
Statement 3 is Correct.
The Indian Independence Act, 1947, declared that the suzerainty of His Majesty over the Indian States would lapse on August 15, 1947. The Act did not transfer paramountcy to the newly created dominions of India or Pakistan. This created a constitutional vacuum or ambiguity: legally, the states became independent and sovereign, but politically and geographically, they were compelled to accede to one of the two dominions. The lack of a clear, mandatory mechanism for integration in the Act itself left their immediate status ambiguous until Instruments of Accession were signed.

Key Takeaway

Paramountcy defined the subordination of Princely States to the British Crown. Upon independence, the lapse of paramountcy (under the Indian Independence Act, 1947) technically restored their sovereignty, creating a complex constitutional challenge regarding their integration into India or Pakistan.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

With reference to the "Objectives Resolution" introduced in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. It was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946. 2. It proclaimed India to be an "Independent Sovereign Republic". 3. It promised adequate safeguards for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed classes. 4. It explicitly declared that India would follow the American model of democracy. How many of the statements given above are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the composition and nature of the Constituent Assembly of India: 1. The members were elected on the basis of universal adult franchise. 2. The Muslim League chose to boycott the Assembly to press for a separate Pakistan. 3. Initially, the Socialists kept away from the Assembly, believing it was a British creation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the debates on separate electorates in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. B. Pocker Bahadur argued that separate electorates were necessary to ensure Muslims had a meaningful voice. 2. Govind Ballabh Pant supported separate electorates as a mechanism to integrate minorities into the nation. 3. Sardar Patel argued that separate electorates were the only way to ensure minority representation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the language controversy in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. Mahatma Gandhi advocated for Hindustani as the national language. 2. R.V. Dhulekar argued that English should be the sole language of constitution-making. 3. The Language Committee decided that English would continue to be used for official purposes for fifteen years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following events occurred during the years immediately preceding the making of the Constitution 1945-1947? 1. The Rising of the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy occurred in 1942. 2. The Great Calcutta Killings. 3. The Workers' movements and strikes in various cities. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

Keep practising Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 12 History chapters

The correct option is 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect.
The Princely States occupied a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent, not merely a small fraction. Historically, they covered approximately 40% to 45% of the total land area and housed roughly 23% to 28% of the population of pre-partition India. The figure "less than ten %" is factually erroneous.
Statement 2 is Correct.
The relationship between the Princely States and the British was defined by the concept of Paramountcy. The states acknowledged the British Crown as the paramount power. This relationship was formalized through various treaties and later reaffirmed by the Butler Committee (1927), which stated that "Paramountcy must remain paramount," ensuring the Crown's ultimate authority over the states.
Statement 3 is Correct.
The Indian Independence Act, 1947, declared that the suzerainty of His Majesty over the Indian States would lapse on August 15, 1947. The Act did not transfer paramountcy to the newly created dominions of India or Pakistan. This created a constitutional vacuum or ambiguity: legally, the states became independent and sovereign, but politically and geographically, they were compelled to accede to one of the two dominions. The lack of a clear, mandatory mechanism for integration in the Act itself left their immediate status ambiguous until Instruments of Accession were signed.