While studying the integration of princely states, I keep seeing accession and merger used almost interchangeably in short summaries. Longer accounts discuss Instruments of Accession, merger agreements, and the formation of unions of states as separate developments.
What actually changed at each stage? I’m trying to distinguish accepting the Dominion’s authority over specified subjects from giving up a ruler’s internal governing powers.
Could someone explain the distinction using one state, such as a smaller princely state that later became part of Rajasthan? I’m looking for a clear historical sequence rather than a list of every agreement. It would also help to know whether the same sequence applies broadly or whether it risks oversimplifying the integration of princely states.
