This article is about the specific polity Union of India and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.
If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics
Was an independent dominion in the British Commonwealth of Nations existing between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950. The Dominion of India came into existence on the partition of India and was beset by religious violence. Its creation had been preceded by a pioneering and influential anti-colonial nationalist movement which became a major factor in ending the British Raj.
Establishment
August 1947: The last ruler of the Charkhari Princely state signed the accession to the Indian Union on 15 August 1947.
August 1947: Akkalkot acceded India.
August 1947: Lathi acceded India.
August 1947: Accession to India. The Indian Independence Act came into being on 15 August.
August 1947: In August 1947 the Bharatpur State acceded to the newly independent Dominion of India.
August 1947: Jaisalmer State acceeded to the Indian Union.
August 1947: In 1947 the British Indian Empire was partitioned into two independent dominions, a Hindu-majority Dominion of India and a Muslim-majority Dominion of Pakistan.
August 1947: Kochi was the first princely state to willingly join the new Dominion of India in 1947.
August 1947: The last ruler of the Baoni State, Muhammad al-Hasan Mushtaq, signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 15 August 1947 and continued to rule the state .
October 1947: On October 26, 1947, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir declared his country's annexation to India, which was recognized the following day by the Governor General of India, Louis Mountbatten.
November 1947: By 9 November 1947, the Indian Government assumed the administration of Junagarh using the "pretext" of re-establishing peace.
November 1947: In Gilgit, the state paramilitary forces, called the Gilgit Scouts, joined the invading Pakistani forces, who thereby obtained control of this northern region of the state.
November 1947: Baramulla and Uri were recaptured by Indian forces.
November 1947: A second Indian relief column reached Kotli.
November 1947: An Indian relief column reached Poonch.
December 1947: Accession of Raigarh State to India.
Chronology
Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation
Was the partition of British India in two independent entities: India (with a Hindu majority) and Pakistan (with a Muslim majority). This included the several princely states that were dependent on the British Colony.
January 1948: Accession to India (exact date not known). The Indian Independence Act came into being on 15 August.
January 1948: In 1947, at the time of the Partition of India, Bhajji's ruler acceded to the newly independent Union of India.
January 1948: Nabha State, with its capital at Nabha, was one of the Phulkian princely states of Punjab during the British Raj in India. It acceded to the Union of India in 1947.
January 1948: The last ruler of Narsinghpur Princely State signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.
January 1948: Dhar State acceeded to the Indian Union.
January 1948: On 1 January 1948 the last ruler of Gangpur signed the accession to the Indian Union.
January 1948: Its last ruler of the Baudh State signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.
January 1948: On 1 January 1948 Bamra's last princely ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union.
January 1948: Basoda became a British protectorate until 1947, when its last ruler, Nawab Masood Ali Khan, signed the accession to the Indian Union.
January 1948: The Bastar State acceded to the Union of India on 1 January 1948.
January 1948: In 1947, the Benares Kingdom was annexed to India. The kingdom was ruled by Maharaja Prabhu Narayan Singh. The annexation was part of the integration of princely states into the newly independent Union of India.
January 1948: Changbhakar State acceded to the Union of India on 1 January 1948.
January 1948: After India's independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Datia acceded unto the Dominion of India.
January 1948: Following the independence of India in 1947, the Janjira State was merged with India.
January 1948: Torawati State acceeded to the Indian Union.
January 1948: The last Raja of the Tigiria State signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.
January 1948: Saraikela, along with 24 other princely states of the Eastern States Agency, acceded to the Government of India on 1 January 1948.
January 1948: In 1948, one year after Indian independence, Bhaisunda was merged into the Indian state of Vindhya Pradesh.
January 1948: At the time of the British Raj, Talcher State was one among the 26 feudatory states of Odisha. The state's accession to the Indian Union was signed by its last ruler Hrudaya Chandra Dev Birabar on 1 January 1948.
January 1948: Jashpur was one of the states of the Eastern States Agency. The last ruler of this princely state signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.
January 1948: After the independence of India in 1947 Hindol merged into the Union of India on 1 January 1948.
January 1948: The Ranas ruled the Dhaulpur State until the independence of India in 1947, when the kingdom was merged with the Union of India.
January 1948: After the Independence of India in 1947, the Loharu State acceded to the Union of India and many of the ruling family and the city's Muslim inhabitants re-settled in Lahore, Pakistan.
January 1948: Following Indian independence in 1947 Maharaja Hanwant Singh, the last ruler of Jodhpur state, signied the Instrument of Accession to India.
January 1948: When the British left India in 1947, they abandoned their subsidiary alliances with the princely states, and the Maharajah of Faridkot acceded his state to the new Union of India.
January 1948: guler acceeded to the Indian Union.
January 1948: Mahant Ritu Purna Kishor Das, the last ruling Chief of Chhuikhadan, acceded to the Union of India on 1 February 1948.
February 1948: Accession of Porbandar State to India.
February 1948: Dhrangadhra ceased to exist by accession to recently independent India's western state Saurashtra (now in Gujarat) on 15 February 1948.
February 1948: Accession of Vala State to India.
February 1948: On 22 October 1947 India took over the administration of Bantva Manavadar. An interim administrator was appointed to carry on the governance of the state, during which time the Government of India held a plebiscite in his domain. Participants voted in favour of union with India and on 15 February 1948 the accession to Pakistan was rescinded.
February 1948: Chuda State ceased to exist on 15 February 1948 by accession to newly independent India's Saurashtra State.
February 1948: Accession of Wankaner State to India.
February 1948: The Morvi State's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union on 15 February 1948.
February 1948: Sardargardh Bantva had acceded to Pakistan in 1947, but then rescinded the accession and re-accedeed to India on 15 February 1948.
February 1948: The last ruler of Gondal State, Maharaja Bhojrajji Bhagwatsimhji, signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 15 February 1948.
February 1948: The last ruler of Dhrol State, Thakur Sahib Chandrasimhji Dipsinhji, signed the accession to the Indian Union on 15 February 1948.
February 1948: Accession of Sangli State to India.
April 1948: The last ruler of Mandi signed the accession to the Indian Union thus being incorporated into the State of Himachal Pradesh as Mandi district on 15 April 1948.
April 1948: Baghal joined India on 15 April 1948.
April 1948: On 15 April 1948 Bonai's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union.
April 1948: Its last ruler of the Suket State signed the accession to the Indian Union on 15 April 1948.
April 1948: Raja Durga Singh acceded Baghat State to the Union of India on 15 April 1948.
June 1948: Danta's last ruler signed the accession to join the Indian Union on 6 November 1948.
June 1948: Nawab Muhammad Usman 'Ali Khan (ruled 1947-1948) acceded to the Government of India on 15 June 1948.
June 1948: After India's independence in 1947, the last ruling Rajgarh acceded to the Indian government on 15 June 1948.
June 1948: Accession of Gwalior State to India.
June 1948: Accession of Piploda State to India.
June 1948: The Ratlam State's last ruler signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 15 June 1948.
June 1948: Accession of Sailana State to India.
August 1948: Raja Shrimant Sir Raghunathrao Shankarrao Babasaheb Pandit Pant Sachiv was the last ruler of the Bhor State. During his reign, he implemented many reforms such as abolition of untouchability, freedom of association and introduction of representative government. He signed the accession to the Indian Union on 8 March 1948 which ended the separate existence of Bhor state.
August 1948: Accession of Ramdurg State to India.
August 1948: Accession of Mudhol State to India.
August 1948: Phaltan acceded to the Dominion of India on 8 March 1948 and is currently a part of Maharashtra state.
August 1948: Accession of Miraj State to India.
August 1948: The last ruler of the Aundh was Raja Shrimant Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi ("Bala Sahib"). The state joined the Union of India.
August 1948: Jafarabad State acceded to the Indian Union on 8 March 1948.
September 1948: In August 1947 Kalahandi became part of the Eastern States Union of India, an entity that was formed in Rajpur and that gathered most of the princely states of Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
October 1948: The Chhota Udaipur State merged with the Union of India on 10 March 1948.
October 1948: Bansda's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union.
October 1948: On 10 June 1948 Idar became part of the Indian Union.
October 1948: Accession of Mohanpur State to India.
October 1948: Accession of Rajpipla State to India.
October 1948: The last ruler of Balasinor signed the accession to join the Indian Union on 10 June 1948.
October 1948: Accession of Sant State to India.
October 1948: Cambay's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union.
October 1948: Bilaspur acceded to India on 28 October 1948.
January 1949: Accession to India (exact date not known). The Indian Independence Act came into being on 15 August.
January 1949: In 1947, the Deputy Prime Minister of the newly independent Indian Union, Vallabhbhai Patel, undertook the process of unifying 565 princely states with the Union. The last Maharaja of Bhavnagar, Krishna Kumarasingh Bhavasingh handed over the administration of his Bombay State to the people's representative in 1948.
January 1949: After Indian independence in 1947, Alirajpur acceded to the Union of India, and the principality was incorporated into the new state of Madhya Bharat.
January 1949: In 1948, the ruler of Banganapalle acceded to newly independent India, and Banganapalle was incorporated into Kurnool district of the then Madras Presidency.
January 1949: Its last ruler of the Athmallik State signed the accession to the Indian Union in 1948.
January 1949: The State of Baria was merged into India and became part of Bombay state.
January 1949: Khairagarh State acceded the Indian Union.
January 1949: Bushahr State acceeded to the Indian Union.
January 1949: Datarpur State acceeded to the Indian Union.
January 1949: In 1947 Cutch joined India.
January 1949: After India's independence in 1947, the Maharajas of Dewas acceded to India.
January 1949: The last ruler of the Jaso State signed the accession to the Indian Union in 1948.
January 1949: Accession to the Indian Union of Limbdi State.
January 1949: Accession to the Indian Union of Chamba State.
January 1949: After India's independence in 1948, the Rana of Barwani acceded to India, and Barwani became part of the Nimar District of Madhya Bharat state.
January 1949: Sirmur Kingdom acceeded to the Indian Union.
January 1949: Banka-Pahari State: The Hasht-Bhaiya Jagirs were British protectorates between 1823 and 1947. Their last jagirdars (rulers) joined the Indian Union in 1948.
January 1949: Baudh State acceeded to the Indian Union.
January 1949: In 1948, the Khaniadhana State acceded to the Union of India.
January 1949: Kamta-Rajaula was a princely state in India during the British Raj. In 1948, the territory was integrated into the Union of India.
January 1949: The rulers acceded to the Government of India after India's independence in 1947.
January 1949: In 1947, at the time of the Indian independence, Patna's ruler did not immediately accede to the newly independent Dominion of India, delaying accession until 1948.
January 1949: Sitamau State was a princely state of the British Raj before 1947. Its capital was in Sitamau town, Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh. The total area of the state was 350 square miles. The average revenue of the state was Rs.130,000. The ruling dynasty was historically related to the Rathores of Ratlam State.
January 1949: Accession of Sandur State to India.
January 1949: Bhopal State was merged into the Union of India in 1949 as Bhopal.
July 1949: The last ruler of Udaipur State signed the accession to Independent India on 7 April 1949.
July 1949: Accession of Tonk State to India.
July 1949: Accession of Karauli State to India.
July 1949: Bundi's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union on 7 April 1949.
July 1949: Jaipur's last princely ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union on 7 April 1949.
July 1949: Accession of Alwar to the Dominion of India.
January 1950: Its last ruler of Atgarh State signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: The Bijawar State acceded to India on 1 January 1950, and became part of the state of Vindhya Pradesh.
January 1950: On 1 January 1950, Dhurwai acceded to the Indian Union and was merged into the Indian state of Vindhya Pradesh with the other Hasht-Bhaiya Jagirs.
January 1950: Accession of Kothi State to India.
January 1950: Accession of Pratapgarh State to India.
January 1950: Accession of Kota State to India.
January 1950: Yashwant Rao Holkar II, the last ruler of the Indore State, signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Ajaigarh State acceded to the Government of India on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: The last Raja of Nagod, HH Shrimant Mahendra Singh, signed the accession of his state to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Raja Yadvendra Singh, the last ruler of Beri State signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Pratap Singh Ju Dev signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Accession of Sohawal State to India.
January 1950: In 1947, the Benares Kingdom was annexed to India. The kingdom was ruled by Maharaja Prabhu Narayan Singh. The annexation was part of the integration of princely states into the newly independent Union of India.
January 1950: When the British colonial rule was finally terminated in India, the Koch Bihar state immediately acceded to and merged with India in 1949 and became a part of West Bengal.
January 1950: Accession of Shahpura State to India.
January 1950: Accession of Jigni State to India.
January 1950: Chhatarpur's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: The Garhwal Kingdom acceded to India and joined the Union of India.
January 1950: In 1949 Banswara was merged into the Indian Union.
January 1950: Accession of Tori Fatehpur to India.
January 1950: The last Pratihara ruler of Alipura signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: The Union of India was transformed into the Republic of India by the promulgation of the Constitution of India in 1950.
Was an Indian military campaign to annex the princely state of Junagadh that had joined Pakistan despites being a region with a Hindu majority.
Is an ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, two countries that emerged fromt he partition of British India in 1947.
3.1.Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
Was a war fought between India and Pakistan over the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir shortly after the partition of the British Raj.
February 1948: Poonch conquered by India.
February 1948: Pakistani Tribal forces attacked and captured Jhanger.
February 1948: A minor Indian attack secured Chamb.
May 1948: The Indian forces launched a counterattack in the south recapturing Jhanger and Rajauri.
May 1948: Skardu was brought under siege by the Gilgit Scouts.
May 1948: The Gilgit scouts made good progress in the High Himalayas sector, infiltrating troops to bring Leh under siege.
May 1948: Pakistan captured Kargil.
May 1948: In the Kashmir Valley the Indians attacked, recapturing Tithwail.
June 1948: Zoji La fell to the Pakistani forces in May 1948.
June 1948: In 1948, during the Indo-Pakistani War, Keran and Gurais were captured by Indian forces led by Major General Thimayya.
July 1948: Khalatse conquered by pakistan.
August 1948: With the help of artillery Pakistani forces were able to take Skardu.
September 1948: The Zoji La pass was forced and the Pakistanis pushed back to Matayan.
November 1948: Dras conquered by Union of India.
November 1948: Indian troops advanced on Kargil.
November 1948: Poonch was finally relieved after a siege by Pakistani forces of over a year.
December 1948: Situation at ceasefire of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.
3.1.1.Accession to India
During the partition of the British Raj between a Hindu state (India) and a Muslim state (Pakistan) the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was forced to join India in order to have assistance against an invasion by Pakistan.
3.1.2.Indian Counterattack (Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948)
Was the Indian counterattack against the Pakistani invasion of Jammu and Kashmir during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948.
3.1.3.Pakistan annexion of Gilgit
Was the incorporation of the Gilgit-Baltistan region (one third of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir) into Pakistan in 1947.
Was a military operation in which the Indian Armed Forces invaded the Nizam-ruled princely state of Hyderabad, annexing it into the Indian Union.
September 1948: Indian forces occupy Naldurg, Jalkot, Umarge, Kodar, and Mungala.
September 1948: Indian forces occupy Rajeshwar, Osmanabad, Aurangabad, and Jalna
September 1948: Indian forces occupy Latur, Mominabad, Surriapet, and Narkatpalli.
September 1948: Indian forces occupy Zahirabad.
September 1948: Indian forces occupy Bidar, Chytal, and Hingoli.
September 1948: General Chaudhari led an armoured column into Hyderabad at around 4 p.m. on 18 September and the Hyderabad army, led by Major General El Edroos, surrendered.
August 1949: Indo-Bhutan Treaty. Under this agreement, India returned the land around Deothang to Bhutan. The region had been lost by Bhutan after the 1865 Anglo-Bhutanese War.
Disestablishment
January 1950: In 1947, the Benares Kingdom was annexed to India. The kingdom was ruled by Maharaja Prabhu Narayan Singh. The annexation was part of the integration of princely states into the newly independent Union of India.
January 1950: The Bijawar State acceded to India on 1 January 1950, and became part of the state of Vindhya Pradesh.
January 1950: On 1 January 1950, Dhurwai acceded to the Indian Union and was merged into the Indian state of Vindhya Pradesh with the other Hasht-Bhaiya Jagirs.
January 1950: Accession of Kothi State to India.
January 1950: Accession of Pratapgarh State to India.
January 1950: Yashwant Rao Holkar II, the last ruler of the Indore State, signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Ajaigarh State acceded to the Government of India on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Its last ruler of Atgarh State signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Accession of Sohawal State to India.
January 1950: When the British colonial rule was finally terminated in India, the Koch Bihar state immediately acceded to and merged with India in 1949 and became a part of West Bengal.
January 1950: The Garhwal Kingdom acceded to India and joined the Union of India.
January 1950: In 1949 Banswara was merged into the Indian Union.
January 1950: Accession of Tori Fatehpur to India.
January 1950: The last Pratihara ruler of Alipura signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Chhatarpur's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Accession of Jigni State to India.
January 1950: Accession of Shahpura State to India.
January 1950: The last Raja of Nagod, HH Shrimant Mahendra Singh, signed the accession of his state to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Accession of Kota State to India.
January 1950: Raja Yadvendra Singh, the last ruler of Beri State signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: Pratap Singh Ju Dev signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1950.
January 1950: The Union of India was transformed into the Republic of India by the promulgation of the Constitution of India in 1950.
Selected Sources
Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 16, p. 2 retrieved on https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/
Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 8, p. 125 retrieved on https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/
Indian independence Act. Retrieved on March, 24th 2024 on https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1947/30/pdfs/ukpga_19470030_en.pdf
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Union of India
