Instrument of Accession – Jammu & Kashmir (Important Points)
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Date of Signing:
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Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947.
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Background:
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After the Partition of India (1947), princely states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent.
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Maharaja Hari Singh’s Initial Stand:
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He wished to remain independent initially.
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Tribal Invasion (Pakistan-backed Raiders):
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On 22 October 1947, tribal militias from Pakistan invaded Jammu & Kashmir, prompting the Maharaja to seek help from India.
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India's Condition:
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India demanded accession before sending troops to help.
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Governor-General’s Acceptance:
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Lord Mountbatten accepted the Instrument of Accession on 27 October 1947.
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Scope of Accession:
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J&K acceded to India only in 3 subjects:
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Defence
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External Affairs
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Communications
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Article 370:
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Provided special status to J&K and allowed it to have its own Constitution.
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Linked to Instrument of Accession terms.
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UN Involvement:
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Issue was taken to the United Nations by India in January 1948.
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Permanent Accession:
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The Instrument of Accession was considered final and legal under the Indian Constitution.
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✅ Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Who signed the Instrument of Accession on behalf of Jammu & Kashmir?
A) Sheikh Abdullah
B) Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad
C) Maharaja Hari Singh
D) Lord Mountbatten
🟩 Answer: C) Maharaja Hari Singh
2. When did Maharaja Hari Singh sign the Instrument of Accession?
A) 15 August 1947
B) 22 October 1947
C) 26 October 1947
D) 27 October 1947
🟩 Answer: C) 26 October 1947
3. How many subjects were included in the Instrument of Accession for J&K?
A) 4
B) 3
C) 2
D) 5
🟩 Answer: B) 3
4. Which of the following was not a subject included in the Instrument of Accession?
A) Defence
B) External Affairs
C) Communications
D) Education
🟩 Answer: D) Education
5. When did Lord Mountbatten accept the Instrument of Accession?
A) 25 October 1947
B) 26 October 1947
C) 27 October 1947
D) 28 October 1947
🟩 Answer: C) 27 October 1947
6. Which Article of the Indian Constitution gave special status to J&K, based on the Instrument of Accession?
A) Article 356
B) Article 370
C) Article 35A
D) Article 368
🟩 Answer: B) Article 370
7. The tribal invasion from Pakistan into J&K happened on:
A) 15 August 1947
B) 26 October 1947
C) 22 October 1947
D) 14 November 1947
🟩 Answer: C) 22 October 1947
8. The Instrument of Accession of J&K was signed with which country?
A) Pakistan
B) China
C) United Nations
D) India
🟩 Answer: D) India
9. Which British official was the Governor-General of India at the time of J&K’s accession?
A) Lord Wavell
B) Lord Linlithgow
C) Lord Mountbatten
D) Sir Stafford Cripps
🟩 Answer: C) Lord Mountbatten
10. The accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India is considered:
A) Temporary
B) Illegal
C) Final and Legal
D) Disputed
🟩 Answer: C) Final and Legal