Why did the makers of our Constitution declare India to be a 'Union of States'? Why were some sub-political units of India given a special status?

(1) India became a ‘Union of states’ because it consisted of both British ruled territories as well as many princely states.

(2) Some sub-political units of India had a special status :

(i) All British ruled regions have the same status.

(ii) All princely states that had voluntarily joined had the same status as British ruled territory.

(iii) French and Portuguese ruled territories were given the status of Union Territory.

(iv) Jammu & Kashmir joined India on special condition.