The Indian Princely States were semi-autonomous regions in India during the British colonial period, governed by local rulers known as princes or maharajas. These states existed alongside British-controlled territories and varied in size, wealth, and power. There were over 500 princely states, each with its own administration, laws, and customs. After India gained independence in 1947, the princely states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan. Most states chose to accede to India, leading to the integration of these regions into the modern Indian Union, while a few opted for independence or joined Pakistan.