Question

Privy purses were payments made by the Government of India to

• A. the Indian Government employees
• B. the Members of Parliament
• C. the former governors of State Governments.
• D. the rulers of princely States after independence.

Hint:

Remember that Privy Purses were a crucial tool for the integration of India post-1947.
They were abolished by the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act in 1971 under the Indira Gandhi administration.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks us to identify the specific class of recipients of "privy purses" paid by the Government of India in the post-independence era.
We need to look at the historical context of the integration of Indian princely states.


Step 2: Key Principle / Approach:
During the integration of Indian states, the government offered privy purses as a financial guarantee to former rulers of princely states in exchange for their accession into the Indian Union.


Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• At the time of Indian independence in 1947, there were over 500 princely states that enjoyed semi-autonomous rule under British suzerainty.

• To integrate these states peacefully into the newly formed dominion of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel negotiated treaties of accession.

• As part of these agreements, the rulers were promised a tax-free annual payment, termed the "privy purse," to maintain their households and prestige.

• These payments were constitutionally guaranteed under Article 291 and Article 362 of the original Constitution.

• Privy purses were not salaries or benefits paid to general government employees or Members of Parliament, making options (A) and (B) incorrect.

• They were also distinct from any pensions or payments given to State Governors, making option (C) incorrect.

• In 1971, the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi introduced the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act, which successfully abolished the system of privy purses and extinguished all privileges of the former rulers.



Step 4: Final Answer:
Privy purses were payments made to the rulers of princely states, corresponding to Option (D).