Understanding the Formation of Saurashtra Sangh

The question asks about the number of principalities, also known as princely states, that were integrated to form the 'Saurashtra Sangh' on a specific date, February 15, 1948.

Following India's independence in 1947, the integration of hundreds of princely states into the Indian Union was a crucial task. This process involved persuasion, negotiations, and sometimes, military action, led primarily by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon.

In the Saurashtra region (the Kathiawar peninsula in modern-day Gujarat), there were numerous small and large princely states. To integrate these states smoothly and efficiently, they were merged to form a union known as the Saurashtra Sangh.

The formation of the Saurashtra Sangh was a significant step in the political integration of India. This union officially came into existence on February 15, 1948.

Historical records indicate that a large number of princely states in the Saurashtra region were consolidated to form this union. The exact number of states integrated varies slightly in different accounts depending on how very small estates were counted, but a widely accepted figure for the major and minor states merged into the Saurashtra Sangh on this date is 222.

Therefore, on February 15, 1948, 222 principalities were merged to form the Saurashtra Sangh.