पुढीलपैकी कोणत्या संस्थानांनी स्वतंत्र राहण्याची इच्छा दर्शविली होती ?
(a) त्रावणकोर
(b) हैद्राबाद
(c) भोपाळ

The correct answer is Option D ((a), (b) and (c)).

Key Points:
• Princely States at Partition (1947): Under the Indian Independence Act 1947, British paramountcy lapsed, leaving over 565 princely states theoretically free to join India, join Pakistan, or remain independent.
• Travancore: Dewan Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer declared on 11 June 1947 that Travancore would remain an independent sovereign state (citing thorium reserves).
• Hyderabad: Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan declared full sovereign independence, refusing to accede to India until forced by Operation Polo.
• Bhopal: Nawab Hamidullah Khan (Chancellor of Chamber of Princes) strongly opposed accession and declared Bhopal's intent to remain an independent state before yielding to Sardar Patel.
• Conclusion: All three states (Travancore, Hyderabad, and Bhopal) originally expressed desire to remain independent.
• Key Takeaway: Travancore, Hyderabad, and Bhopal all initially expressed their desire to remain independent sovereign states in 1947.