How many states were there at the time of Independence in India (other then princely states) and what were their names?

Answer 1

At the time of independence in 1947, British India had 17 provinces (states). Upon the Partition of British India into India and Pakistan, 11 provinces (Ajmer-Merwara-Kekri, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Bombay, Central Provinces and Berar, Coorg, Delhi, Madras, Panth-Piploda, Orissa, and the United Provinces) joined India, 3 (Baluchistan, North-West Frontier and Sindh) joined Pakistan, and 3 (Punjab, Bengal and Assam) were partitioned between India and Pakistan.

1. Ajmer-Merwara
2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
3. Assam
4. Baluchistan
5. Bengal
6. Bihar
7. Bombay
8. Central Provinces and Berar
9. Coorg
10. Delhi
11. Madras
12. North-West Frontier
13. Orissa
14. Panth-Piploda
15. Punjab
16. Sindh
17. United Provinces