Butler Committee

The Indian states committee appointed a committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Harcourt Butler which was popularly known as ‘the Butler Committee’ to investigate and clarify the relationship between the paramount power and the Princes of Princely States in AD 1927. The committee visited 16 States and submitted its report in 1929.

Context

The question of sovereignty and paramountcy was undefined. There was a growing call among the princely states to properly define the word " paramountcy ".

Recommendations

1. Paramountcy must reign supreme and must fulfil its obligations, adopting and defining itself according to the shifting necessities of time and progressive development of states

2. States should not be handed over to an Indian Government in British India, responsible to an Indian Legislature, without the consent of states.

3. For the purpose of international relations, state territory is in the same position as British territory and state subjects in the same position of British subjects.

References

A brief history of modern India, spectrum publications by Rajiv Ahir I.P.S Pg 605,606.