Page:White Paper on Indian States (1950).pdf/236
APPENDIX XXX
Bhopal Merger Agreement
AGREEMENT made this 30th day of April, 1949 between His Excellency the Governor-General of India and His Highness the Nawab of Bhopal.
WHEREAS in the immediate interests of the State of Bhopal and its people and for diverse other reasons it is agreed by and between the above-named parties that the administration of the State of Bhopal (hereinafter called "the State") shall be taken over and carried on by the Government of India and that, for a period of five years next after the date of transfer the State will be administered as a Chief Commissioner's Province:
AND WHEREAS it is further agreed that on expiry of this period of five years the future administrative arrangements of the State may have to be reviewed but without prejudice to the ownership and other rights secured to the Nawab under this Agreement at the said date of transfer:
IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:—
Article I
The Nawab of Bhopal hereby cedes to the Government of India full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the Bhopal State and agrees to transfer the administration of the State to that Government on the First day of June 1949 (referred to in this Agreement as "the date of transfer").
Article II
The Nawab shall be entitled to all the personal rights, privileges, immunities and dignities enjoyed by him as the Ruler of Bhopal, whether within or without the State, immediately before the 15th August, 1947.
Article III
(1) The present Nawab shall, with effect from the date of transfer, be entitled to receive from the Government of India for his privy purse a sun of rupees eleven lakhs per annum free of all taxes; and each of his successors shall, with effect from the date of succession, be entitled to receive from the Government of India for his privy purse a sum of rupees nine lakhs per annum free of all taxes.
(2) The sum provided to be paid to the Nawab and after him to his successors in para (1) of this Article is intended to cover all the expenses of the Nawab and his family including expenses on account of his personal
226