Ancient history

Conspiracy to merge Jodhpur State with Pakistan (2)

Menon went to the Imperial Hotel and told the Maharaja that Lord Mountbatten wanted to talk to him. Menon and Hanwant Singh went to the Viceroy's building in the car. The Viceroy, with his charming personality and determination, spoke to the Maharaja like a teacher explains to his undisciplined student. He told the Maharaja that he had every right to merge his state with Pakistan, but he should also take care of its consequences.

He himself is a Hindu and most of his subjects are Hindus. This move of the Maharaja would be against the principle that India would be divided into only two parts, one of which would be a Muslim country and the other a non-Muslim country. Their merger with Pakistan will lead to communal riots in Jodhpur. Congress is also likely to agitate. The Maharaja told Mountbatten that Jinnah had asked him to write his terms on blank paper, which Jinnah would sign.

To this Menon said that I can do the same, but the Maharaja will not get anything from him in the same way as the Maharaja will not get anything from Pakistan despite Jinnah's signatures. On this Mountbatten asked Menon to give some special concessions to the Maharaja like Jinnah. The Maharaja agreed to merge his kingdom with India and signed the entry deed. Some privileges were agreed upon between the Maharaja and Menon, which Menon himself took to Jodhpur when it came in writing.

In a report sent by Mountbatten to the Secretary of India on 8 August 1947, it was said that the Prime Minister of Jodhpur, Venkatachar has informed that- 'The young Maharaja of Jodhpur after having lunch with the Viceroy in Delhi Said that they wanted to join the Indian Union, but soon after that, the Dholpur Maharaja pressed the Jodhpur Maharaja not to join the Indian Union. Jodhpur Maharaja was taken to Jinnah and in the presence of Nawab Bhopal and his legal advisor Zafarullah Khan, Jinnah offered that if the Maharaja declared his state independent on 15th August, then these concessions would be given to him-

(1) All facilities of Karachi port will be given to Jodhpur State. (2) The state of Jodhpur will be allowed to import arms. (3) The Jodhpur-Hyderabad (Sindh) Railway shall have the right of Jodhpur. (4) Complete food grains will be made available for the famine-prone districts of Jodhpur state. , The Maharaja still thinks that Jinnah's offer is the best and has informed the Bhopal Nawab by telegram that his position is uncertain and that he will meet him on 11 August.

On 7th August Hanwant Singh went to Baroda where he explained to Maharaja Gaekwad not to sign the entry deed. Bhopal Nawab is also trying that even the kings of Jodhpur, Kutch and Udaipur should not sign the entry deed. I (Mountbatten) have sent a telegram to the Maharaja of Jodhpur asking him to come and meet me at the earliest. What hurts me the most is that Bhopal Nawab behaves like a friend on my face but behind his back conspire to thwart my plan. I will speak clearly about his tricks when he comes to Delhi.'

On 11 August 1947, Lord Mountbatten held talks with the kings of the native states and sought clarification from Nawab Bhopal on the information that Sardar Patel had received, according to which the Nawab had pressurized the Jodhpur Maharaja to accompany him to Jinnah.

Bhopal Nawab informed the Viceroy in his reply- 'On 6th August, Maharaja Dholpur and two other kings informed me that Maharaja Jodhpur wants to meet me (Bhopal Nawab). I (Nawab) replied that I would be happy to meet him. When the Maharaja came to me, he said that he wanted to meet Jinnah soon and know the details of his conditions. Jinnah was about to leave Delhi and go to Karachi forever. Because of this he was very busy. Still I took the time to interview for the Maharaja. We were given the time after noon, which was informed to the Maharaja.

The Maharaja came to my residence at 3rd o'clock and we both went to meet Jinnah. The Maharaja asked Jinnah that what concession would he give to the king who wanted to establish relations with Pakistan? Jinnah replied that I have already made it clear that we will make treaties with the states and give them good conditions and recognize them as independent states. Then the Maharaja discussed about port facilities, railway rights, import of grain and arms. There was no discussion during the talks whether they should sign the Instrument of Entry or not.

I returned to Bhopal after this interview where I received a telephonic message from Maharaja Dholpur that Maharaja Jodhpur is returning to Delhi on Saturday (9th August) so I (the Nawab) should reach Delhi. When I reached Delhi on Saturday, I got a message from the Maharaja at the airport that I should directly reach the residence of Maharaja Jodhpur. On reaching there Maharaja Dholpur said that I would have to wait some more because Jodhpur Maharaja has gone to meet the Viceroy and is going to return shortly but Maharaja stayed with the Viceroy for a long time and did not get time to come to us.

He sent a message by telephone that he was going to Jodhpur and would return in the evening. . On Sunday (August 10) at around 1.30 am, I received an invitation from the Dholpur king to attend lunch with him (the king of Dholpur). On reaching there, it came to know that the king of Jodhpur was also there. They had brought their master along.

Maharaja introduced me to him and said that he is my philosopher and guide. I met the Jodhpur Maharaja on the same day after meeting Jinnah. The Maharaja said that we should talk to his Guru. Dholpur and other kings had detailed conversations with the Guru in which I took very little part. When I began to bid farewell, Maharaja Jodhpur said that he would come to meet me in the morning on Monday (August 11). According to his determination, he came to meet me on Monday at 10 o'clock and said that his guru has not reached any decision yet, but he himself has decided that he will remain in the Indian Union. I told the Maharaja that you are the master of your state and you are free to take any decision.'