# White Paper on Indian States (1950)/Part 5/Provincially-merged States/States Merged in Madras

​107. States Merged in Madras.—Agreements similar to those signed by the Rulers of other smaller States were also signed by the Rulers of Banganapalle and Pudukkottai on 18th and 29th February, 1948, respectively. The territories of these States which formed an area of 1,444 square miles with a population of about 470,000 were interspersed with those of the Madras Province. The administration of the two States was taken over by the Provincial Government on 23rd February and 3rd March, 1948, respectively. Another island State in the Madras Province was Sandur which had an area of only 158 square miles and a population of 15,814. It was clear from the very beginning that this small State had no future except merger with Madras. The Ruler signed the Merger Agreement (Appendix XX) on 1st April, 1949, transferring the administration of the State to the Dominion Government with immediate effect.
APPENDIX XX
SANDUR MERGER AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT MADE THIS First day of April 1949 between the Governor-General of India and the Raja of
SANDUR STATE
WHEREAS in the best interests of the State of Sandur as well as of the Dominion of India it is desirable to provide for the administration of the said State by or under the authority of the Dominion Government;
It is hereby agreed as follows:—
Article 1.
The Raja of Sandur State hereby cedes to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the State and agrees to transfer the administration of the State to the Dominion Government on the 1st day of April 1949, (hereinafter referred to as "the said day").
As from the said day the Dominion Government will be competent to exercise the said powers, authority and jurisdiction in such manner and through such agency as it may think fit.
Article 2.
The Raja of Sandur shall with effect from the said day be entitled to receive from the revenues of the State annually for his privy purse the sum of ninetythousand rupees free of taxes. This amount is intended to cover all the expenses of the Ruler and his family, including expenses on account of his personal staff, maintenance of his residences, marriages and other ceremonies, etc., and will neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever.
The said sum may be drawn by the Raja in four equal instalments in advance at the beginning of each quarter by presenting bills at the State Treasury or at such other Treasury as may be specified by the Dominion Government.
Article 3.
The Raja shall be entitled to the full ownership, use and enjoyment of all private properties (as distinct from State property) belonging to him on the date of this agreement, and specified in the schedule hereunto appended.
Article 4.
The Raja, the Rani, the Rajmata, the Yuvraj and the Yuvrani shall be entitled to all personal privileges enjoyed by them whether within or outside the territories of the State, immediately before the 15th day of August 1947.
Article 5.
The Dominion Government guarantees the succession, according to law and custom, to the gadi of the State and to the Raja's personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles.
In confirmation whereof Mullath Kadingi Vellodi Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of States has appended his signature on behalf and with the authority of the Governor-General of India and Raja Shrimant Yeshwantarao Rao Sahib, Hindu Rao Ghorpade, Raja of Sandur State has appended his signature on behalf of himself, his heirs and successors.
(Sd.) Raja of Sandur State. (Sd.) M. K. VELLODI, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of States.
Dated 1st April 1949.