The Dominion of India was inaugurated in Delhi, with Pandit Tawaherlal Nehru as prime minister and Lord Mountbatten as governor-general. Most of the Indian states (princely and chiefly), notably excepting Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Junagadh, acceded to the new dominion for defense, external affairs, and communications, while retaining their internal sovereignties.
The government of India admitted Kashmir into the Indian Union, thus precipitating a crisis with Pakistan, since Kashmir contained a majority of Muslims.
After vain attempts to solve the conflict over Kashmir, the dispute was referred to the UN. Sporadic fighting continued in Kashmir between Indian and Muslim forces.
