Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
When India gained independence in 1947, the British government left the "Princely States" (states ruled by local monarchs under British suzerainty) with the option to join India, join Pakistan, or remain independent. Manipur was a significant princely state in Northeast India whose ruler had to navigate the complex process of integration into the new Indian Union.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The ruler of Manipur during this critical period of Indian history was Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh.
1. The Accession: Shortly before 15th August 1947, Bodhchandra Singh signed the "Instrument of Accession" with the Government of India. This agreement granted India control over external affairs, defense, and communications while assuring the Maharaja that the internal autonomy of Manipur would be maintained.
2. The democratic experiment: Due to internal pressure from political parties in Manipur, the Maharaja held elections in June 1948. This was a historic event because Manipur became the first part of India to hold an election based on Universal Adult Franchise (where every adult citizen has the right to vote). This resulted in the formation of a constitutional monarchy with a legislative assembly.
3. The Merger Controversy: There were deep divisions within the state assembly over whether to merge completely with India. Fearing instability, the Government of India pressured the Maharaja into signing a "Merger Agreement" in September 1949. This bypassed the state assembly and led to Manipur becoming a part of India as a Part C state. This event remains a significant point of discussion in the political history of Manipur.
4. Evaluating other options:
- Raja Hari Singh: He was the ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Nizam: This is the title for the ruler of Hyderabad (Mir Osman Ali Khan).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The king of Manipur who signed the merger agreement with India was Bodhchandra Singh. Hence, (C) is the correct answer.