V.P. Menon

Instrument of Accession

V.P. Menon was present at the meeting between Lord Mountbatten and Hanwant Singh, Maharaja of Jodhpur. It was at this meeting that Hanwant Singh signed the instrument of accession to India. After he had signed and the Viceroy Mountbatten left, only Menon remained was in the room with the Maharaja. The Maharaja took out a .22 calibre pistol and pointed it at Menon and said "I refuse to take your dictation". Menon told him that he would be making a very serious mistake by threatening him and would not be able to get the accession abrogated in any case.