What was the importance of the Instrument of Accession in the integration of princely states?

Correct answer: Giving legal basis for princely states joining the Indian Union

The direct answer is A: “Giving legal basis for princely states joining the Indian Union.” At independence, princely states were not automatically part of either India or Pakistan in the same way as directly ruled British provinces. An Instrument of Accession was a formal legal document through which a ruler agreed to join a dominion and transfer specified subjects, initially including areas such as defence, external affairs and communications. This document therefore provided an important constitutional and legal basis for integration. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because the Simon Commission was a separate British constitutional commission appointed in 1927. Option C is wrong because the Salt tax and Salt Law belonged to the anti-colonial movements led against British economic control. Option D is wrong because the partition of Bengal was a separate event, associated especially with 1905 and later developments. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V. P. Menon played major roles in negotiating and carrying forward integration, but the legal instrument itself was the Instrument of Accession. Exam cue: accession means legally joining; it is not a tax, commission or partition.