On 13 September 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel decided that Jammu and Kashmir would be part of India. During the 1947 partition, India faced the challenge of integrating princely states, many of which joined India smoothly, but some, including Jammu and Kashmir, declared independence. Maharaja Hari Singh, who governed Jammu and Kashmir, was reluctant to join either India or Pakistan. Pakistan’s founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, sought to claim Kashmir due to its Muslim majority. However, on 24 October 1947, thousands of tribal invaders attacked Jammu and Kashmir, prompting Hari Singh to seek India’s assistance. Consequently, he signed the ‘Instrument of Accession,’ legally merging Jammu and Kashmir with India. Indian troops arrived in Srinagar on 27 October 1947, repelling the invaders and securing the state. The successful integration of Jammu and Kashmir was significantly due to Sardar Patel’s efforts.
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