Central India Agency

The Central India Agency was an administrative group officially created in 1854 to oversee the princely states of central India during colonial times . It extended elongated approximately between 21 ° 22 'and 26 ° 52' N and 74 ° 0 'and 83 ° 0' E on 203,102 km². There was an administrative subdivision into agencies within which the assigned states were regrouped several times. Most of the states had come under British rule ( paramountcy ) as a result of the Treaty of Bassein in 1807/8 , but only the more important eleven received their own protectorate treaties .

The chief colonial official, who was directly responsible to the Government of India (GoI), was based in Indore . A part of the possessions were as exclaves in Rajputana . In the south it bordered on the Central Provinces . The rights and obligations of the other 31 countries - all of which were in the eastern part - were made known to the new ruler by means of letters ( sanad ) from the GoI when a new ruler took office . Then there were the "guaranteed" miniature states in Malwa. For the indigenous Adivasi people of the Bhil there was a separate Bhil Agency. The population developed as follows: 1881: 9,261,907, 1891: 10,318,812, 1901, after hunger: 8,628,781 (-16½%, significantly higher in rural areas). A plague epidemic in 1903/04 took 10-14% of the population in the western part. After reorganization, 1931: 6.644 million, 1941: 7.506 million (+12.9%), including 1.1 million Adivasi.

Central India Agency map (1909)

geography

Geographically, three zones can be defined: the highlands (south), a plateau that forms most of Malwas and a hilly landscape between the Vindhaya and Satpura mountains , which are separated by the Narmada river. The latter, which still existed in the jungle during colonial times, were also the main settlement area of ​​the Adivasi. The average height drops from south (600–700 m) to north (200 m). The plateau is one of the hottest regions in India, the areas of Bhopal and Indore are within the 35 ° C isotherm from April to the monsoon . Coal was found in Rewa's Gondwana Basin . Copper (in Rewā), manganese and lead in the form of galena were also extracted . Iron mining, with rich deposits near Hirapur (Bijawar) and Barwaha (Indore), became unprofitable until 1900 due to imports from the mother country. Occasionally diamonds, agates, corundum and jasper were mined.

Agriculture

The black earth Malwas are particularly suitable for growing cotton, where the cultivation of opium poppies for monopolopium (from 1830) for export to China was widespread. Charges from Rs. 600 per box to 140 lb. were an important source of taxation for the British. The cultivation was severely restricted from the 1930s. In other regions the soil is leaner. Two harvests ( Khārif in autumn and Rabi in spring) are possible everywhere. The states ceded the salt monopoly to the colonial rulers. After brandy monopolies had been established, the right to produce local schnapps was auctioned to the highest bidder.

military

The Central India Horse, the Bhopal Battalion and the Mālwā Bhīl Corps were under the AGG until 1897 . The first two were fully integrated into the British Indian Army during the army reform in 1903 . Cantonements existed in Mhow , Nīmach and Nowgong , smaller garrisons in Agar, Guna, Sikhore and Sārdārpur (Bhīl Corps). Many states also set up their own "armies", often poorly disciplined and well-equipped troops, which after 1900 sank to a mere honor guard or bodyguard of the princes. Some larger states set up modern police structures, and since April 1899 there was also a professional force under the direct control of the Agency.

Languages ​​and religions

To the west of the Vindhaya chain, variants of Rajasthani were spoken, especially Rangri, Malvi and Nimari, to the east of which western Hindi dialects, mostly Bundeli, were spoken . The Bagheli , an eastern Hindi dialect and liturgical language of the Jains , was common among 99% of the population Bagelkhands. In 1901, 81% were Hindus , 11% (mostly Adivasi) ethnically religious and 6% Muslim , mainly Sunni, 1% Jain .

Bagelkhand Agency

The twelve princely states in the eastern part were separated from the Bundelkhand Agency in March 1871. Except for Rewā in 1931, which was assigned to the Indore Regency, these were given back there. The seat of the overseeing colonial official was in Satna (Rewā). According to the 1901 census, 1,555,024 people lived on almost 37,000 km², 11% less than a decade earlier.

• Baraunda, 615 km², 56 villages. Old Rajput rule confirmed by the British in 1807
• Bhaisaunda
• Jaso, 193 km², 57 villages (24 ° 20'-34 'N, 80 ° 24'-40' E). 1891: 8050 inhabitants, "Army:" 2 guns, 50 mounted men.
• Kamta-Rajaula (= Kamta-Ragaula),> 10 km² * Maihar approx. 1000 km²
• Kothi, 77 km² (31 ° 7 'N, 77 ° 15' E)
• Nagod (= Uchara, Unchehara ), 1161 km²
• Pahra, 26 km², 11 villages
• Paldeo, 72 km² (25 ° 6 'N, 80 ° 50' E). 1891: 8,824 pop., "Army:" 250 infantry
• Rewā , 33540 km²
• Sohawal, 619 km². (Main town: 24 ° 34 '35 "N, 80 ° 48' 50" E). Secession from Rewā around 1550.
• Taraon, 31 km², 1891: 3163 inhabitants, "Army:" 250 infantry

Bhopal Agency

Bhopal coat of arms

The Bhopal Agency was created in 1818 after the Third Marath War. The following were summarized:

• Bhopal , 17729 km². Status 1844–1926 several generations under the rule of women (title: Begum ). Annexed by India on May 1, 1949
• Agra Barkhera (23 ° 57 'N, 77 ° 32' E), 12 villages, tributary to the Scindia .
• Basoda, 56 km², (23 ° 51 'N, 77 ° 55' E)
• Daryakheri, 15½ km²
• Dhabla Dhir, 26 km², 3 villages and Dhabla Ghori, 1 village
• the Gwalior districts of Bhilsa and Isagarh went in 1895 to the Gwalior Residency
• Khaniadhana (until 1888, then to the Gwalior Residency)
• Khilchipur , 407 km² (23 ° 52 'to 24 ° 14' N, 76 ° 28-45 'E). Rajput ruler tributary to Scindia . 9 shot salute.
• Kurwai, 359 km² (23 ° 21 'to 24 ° 14' N, 77 ° 26 'to 78 ° 20' E). Founded by Afghan adventurer Muhammed Dalel Khan. In the summer of 1945, signed an agreement with Bhopal on cooperation in administration, police and justice
• Maksudangarh, 209 km², 81 villages
• Muhammadgarh, 70 km², 19 villages (main town: 23 ° 39 'N, 78 ° 12' E)
• Narsingarh , 1607 km². The domain founded by the Diwan of Rajgarh in 1681 was recognized as a state in 1872.
• Pathari, 56 km²
• Rajgarh (1891: 1690 km², 1941: 2481 km²)
• the Sironj district, which was part of Tonk ( Rajputana Agency ).

The two Dewas , a Marathas state with two-part rule, joined in 1931. Makrai was ceded by the Central Provinces in 1933

• Tappa, 13 villages, originally a vassal of Scindia.

Bhopawar Agency

The Bhopawar Agency, with its administrative headquarters in the capital of the same name, was founded in 1882. When it was founded, the agency covered 19824 km². Some districts were given up in 1904 to the Indore Residency, which was reorganized in 1899, after which 8470 km² remained. The administrative seat was Sardārpur in the district of Amjhera, which belonged to Gwalior . The Bhil Corps was also garrisoned there. The 1901 census - after the famines in the previous decade - showed 547,546 inhabitants. The areas went into 1925 in the Malwa Agency, which was called from 1927 to 1934 "Malwa-Bhopawar Agency".

The princely states of the western Nimar and southern Malwa regions are summarized here. These included:

• The tributary dwarf states of Jamnia , Kali-Baori, Nimkhera and Rajgahr (2 Bhil villages) , known as Bhumiaite Estates , were under the control of Dhar (4490 km² ). On the British side, the existence of the Jagirdari was guaranteed by Multhan, Kachhi-Baroda, Bakhatgarh and Dhotria, although these always remained under the control of the durbar of Dhar.
• Amjhera given to Gwalior as a reward for loyalty during the Sepoy Uprising in 1858 .
• Jhabua , with 17 Indore tributary jagirdars.
• Barwani , 3513 km²
• Alirajpur , this also included the dissolved state of Phulmāl and the Jagirdars Ondhwa and Sondwā.
• Jobat, 340 km², 69 villages (22 ° 24-36 'N, 74 ° 37-51' E)
• Mathwar, 361 km², 36 villages
• Kathiwara, 175 km², approx. 500 inhabitants in 1896, with a high proportion of Bhils.
• Ratanmal, 1891 468 inhabitants, almost all Bhils, which was united with Baria (Devgadh) in the framework of the 1943 attachement scheme .
• some of the enclaves of Indore : Petlawad Tehsil, Dahi Jagir u. a.

Bundelkhand Agency

The defeated Marathas ceded the areas later called British Bundelkhand in the Treaty of Bassein in 1802 . The British guaranteed the rights of individual rulers through missives ( sanad ). From 1806 Jhansi became a protective state. After the third Marath War, the Peshwa finally renounced all claims in the region.

The states were combined under a Political Agent to the Governor-General (AGG) in 1811 to form the Bundelkhand Agency. The administration took place initially from 1811 to 1818 and again from 1832 from Banda . Between 1818 and 1824 the administrative center was in Kalpi , from 1824 to 1832 in Hamīrpur . The AGG was subordinated to the Lieutenant-Governor in Agra in 1835 . In 1849 it was placed under the residents of Gwalior. The agent took his office until 1947 in Noagong (= Nowgong ), where there was also a troop base. The Bundelkhand Agency became part of the newly created Central India Agency in 1854.

The widow Rani Lakshmi Bai of Rajas von Jhansi , who died childless in 1854 and whose land was annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse , was one of the driving forces behind the Sepoy uprising . This state was added to Gwalior in 1858, but became British in 1886. All rulers were given the right to pass their throne back to adoptive sons in 1862. The eastern part of this agency was administered separately as the Bagelkhand Agency from 1871 . Further small assignments were made in 1888, when Khaniadhana was subordinated to the resident of Gwalior, and in 1896, when the Jagir of Baraunda, Jaso and Chaube were given to Bagelkhand. The administrative restructuring required by the constitutional reform meant that the Bagelkhand Agency was dissolved in 1931 and the eleven dwarf states (except Rewa) came back to Bundelkhand.

The 1901 census, in the nine states and 13 domains at that time, which together were 25410 km² in size, resulted in 1,308,326 survivors (−13% since 1891).

• Ajaigarh , 2069 km²
• Alīpura
• Baonī , 300 km², the only Muslim state in the region
• Berī, 82½ km², 7 villages, 1901: 4279 inhabitants. Main town (25 ° 55 'N, 79 ° 54' E ) on the banks of the Betwā . In 1811 the British forced an exchange of territory, originally a descendant Jagir, a divan by Gwalior.
• Bīhat, approx. 40 km², 8 villages (25 ° 21 'N, 79 ° 22–27' E)
• Bijāwar , 2512 km²
• Charkhārī , split into 9 parts, 1920 km², 1 city and 105 villages. Main place colloquially Mahārājnagar.
• Chhatarpur , 3,013 km². Its dependent Bilheri Jagir was British guaranteed.
• Datiā (= Duttia), 2156 km²
• Garrauli, 64.5 km², 16 villages
• Gaurihār, 187.6 km², 14 villages. Loyal in 1857 with a reward from the ruler. Army (1885): 3 guns, 35 cavalry, 230 infantry.
• Jignī, 54.9 km², 6 villages (25 ° 42 'N, 79 ° 24' E), Army (1885): 57 cavalry. The Rao received an allowance of Rs 5950 after 1947.
• Lugasi, ruler descendants of Chhatar Sal († 1731) from Panna.
• Naigawān Rebai (= Nagaon Rebai), 18 km² (main town Rebai: 25 ° 2 'N, 79 ° 29' E). The area was part of Jaitpur until 1849. The British had turned the five villages over to Lachhman Singh, a marauding robber chief, to keep him quiet. In 1862 a descendant achieved the recognition of permanent hereditary property. 1901: 757 residents who paid Rs 11,000 in taxes.
• Orchhā (= Tikamgarh), 5366 km²
• Pannā , 6625 km²
• Samthar , 459 km². Secessionists at the end of the 18th century. from Datiā. Alliance rejected in 1804; Recognized as a separate state by the British in 1817 after submission.
• Sarīlā, 90 km², ruler descendants of Chhatar Sal († 1731) of Panna.
• Rai Singh, brother of the Rajas of Orchhā, divided his land of Baragāon among his eight sons around 1690. Everyone received one of the hashts Bhaya Jagir. Kari (= Dudpur) and Pasrai soon fell to Jhansi, so they later became British. Tarauli went to Orchhā, which was later defeated by the Mahrats. The survival of the remaining five that were disputed with Jhansi has been guaranteed by the British since 1821. Chirgaon, but British after the rebellion of Bukht Singh in 1841. The remaining (approx. 220 km²) made an "army" of 15 guns, 50 mounted men and 530 infantrymen in 1885. In the course of time, a future Raja from each branch of the family was adopted into the Orchhā dynasty. The rulers carried the title divan.
  • Dhurwal
  • Bijna, 70 km².
  • Tori-Fatehpur, 93 km², 12 villages (main town: 25 ° 27 'N, 79 ° 1' E)
  • Bānka-Pahārī, 13 km², 1 village (25 ° 22 'N, 80 ° 14' E). Originally 5 villages, four had to be ceded to the Mahrats. 1901 1056 pop.
• the pargana Alrampur (95 km²), an exclave of Indores.

Gwalior Residency

Map of Gwalior (1903)

The Gwalior Residency existed from 1782 to 1947. The administrative seat of the colonial rulers, called The Residency, about 6 km from Fort Gwalior, was in a 3 km², under direct British administration, area with three villages, whose taxes directly into the maintenance the residence flowed (1901: 1391 inhabitants). The resident was directly responsible to the Governor General of India until 1854 and again from 1922. From 1860 to 1896 the smaller states were under the command of Guna , who was assistant resident in personal union .

The 1901 census showed 2187612 souls, 86% of them Hindus. The number of residents rose to 3½ million by 1931, in 6,820 villages and 16 cities.

The most important state in Central India and a loyal ally of the British was Gwalior . A first peace and friendship treaty dates from October 13, 1781 ( Treaty of Salbai ), the British protectorate was established on December 30, 1803 (Treaty of Sarje Anjenagon). The ruler was known as Scindia . Post sovereignty existed, with the stamps being valid for all Indian traffic. The coin rack with regular issues was exercised until 1947.

Farther:

• Benares (with United Provinces until 1936 )
• Rampur , 2427 km². Founded as Aonla in 1719, later called Rohilkhand (with the United Provinces until 1936 ).
• Raghugarh
• Khaniadhana (until 1888 to the Bhopal Agency)
• Paron, 34 villages (24 ° 59 'N, 76 ° 57' E).
• Garha
• Umri, 24 villages in the sub district Guna.
• Bhadaura, 10 Villages (24 ° 47 'N, 77 ° 28' E) originally an enfeoffment of Scindia in 1820 to Man Singh.
• the Chhabra pargana belonging to Tonk
• the domains: Dharmaoda, Sirsi, Khiaoda, Kathaun and Agra Barkhera.

Indore Residency

The capital of the strongly fragmented state of Indore (25,645 km², 1941 1½ million inhabitants), whose ruler was called the Holkar , was also the seat of the AGG. As an important state, Indore itself had direct relations with the Foreign Department of the GoI through the resident since 1854 . The residency was dissolved in 1907 and added to the Malwa Agency. It was reconstituted in 1931.

Malwa Agency

The Malwa Agency was established in 1895 with its administrative headquarters in Nīmach and was formed from princely states that had previously belonged to the Indore Residency. In 1925 it was merged with the Bhopawar Agency. The structure was called Malwa and Southern States Agency (or Malwa-Bhopawar Agency) from 1927, and from 1934 again Malwa Agency.

• Jaora , approx. 1500 km². Panth-Piploda was separated in 1942.
• Ratlam (= Rutlam) demarcation and area unclear as it is closely interwoven with Sailana.
• Sitamau , 521 km²
• Sailana , 291 km². Secessionized from Ratlam in 1730.
• some exclaves of Gwalior, Tonk and Indore.
• The two Dewas states (older and younger line) were added in 1907, they were transferred to the Bhopal Agency in 1931.

literature

• Aitchison, CU ; A collection of treaties, engagements, and sunnuds relating to India and neighboring countries; Calcutta 1886, Vol. II ( full text )
• Chakrabarti, Jadab Chandra; The Native States of India; London 1896
• Hunter, William Wilson (Ed.); Imperial Gazetteer of India; Oxford 1908-1931, Vol. XII: "Central India," Vol. IX: "Bundelkhand" , pp. 74ff.
• Luard, Charles Eckford; The Central India State Gazetteer Series - Western States (Malwa) Gazetteer; Bombay 1908
• Statistical Abstracts for British India… 1930-31 to 1939-40; London, April 1943; No. 78 (Cmd. 6441)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ From this count, modern methodology: cf. FC Danvers; A Review of Indian Statistics; Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Vol. 64, No. 1 (Mar., 1901), pp. 31-72
2. ↑ On geology see: Geological Survey of India "Memoirs", Vol. VII, 1 (Vindhaya), XXXI, 1 (Son) and "Records," Vol. III and XXX (Gwalior)
3. ↑ cf. Opium Wars
4. ↑ 700 Rs. Domestic Indian, plus taxes from the individual states of 30 to 50 Rs (around 1900). Gazetteer, (1908), Vol. XII, p. 382
5. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p} Chakrabarti, Jadab Chandra; The Native States of India; London 1896 ( full text )
6. ↑ Not to be confused with the rulership of the same name in Punjab, vassal of Keonthal
7. ↑ cf. Nath, YVS; Bhils of Ratanmal: An Analysis of the Social Structure of a Western Indian Community; Baroda 1960 (MA thesis)
8. ↑ Imperial Gazetteer 1908, Vol. VIII, p. 4. Not to be confused with the place Beri in the Rohtak district of the Punjab.
9. ↑ according to Imperial Gazetteer (1908) - an extreme tax burden of Rs 14½ per capita (in a famine year). Aitchison (1886) has very different information: 41.6 km², 3360 inhabitants, 10375 Rs. Taxes.
10. ↑ Aitchison, CU; A collection of treaties, engagements, and sunnuds relating to India and neighboring countries; Calcutta 1886, Vol. II ( full text )