Central India Agency


The Central India Agency was created in 1854, by amalgamating the Western Malwa Agency with other smaller political offices which formerly reported to the Governor-General of India. The agency was overseen by a political agent who maintained relations of the Government of India with the princely states and influence over them on behalf of the Governor-General. The headquarters of the agent were at Indore.

List of Divisions and Princely States/districts of Agency

Bundelkhand Agency

The Bundelkhand Agency was bounded by Bagelkhand to the east, the United Provinces to the north, Lalitpur District to the west, and the Central Provinces to the south. Bagelkhand Agency was separated from Bundelkhand in 1871. In 1900 it included 9 states, the most important of which were Orchha, Panna, Samthar, Charkhari, Chhatarpur, Datia, Bijawar and Ajaigarh. The agency also included 13 estates and the pargana of Alampur, the latter belonging to Indore State.
In 1931, all of the states under the Baghelkhand Agency apart from Rewa were transferred back to Bundelkhand.
Salute states, by precedence:
  • Datia, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 15-guns
  • Orchha, title Maharaja or Raja, Hereditary salute of 15-guns
  • Ajaigarh, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 11-guns
  • Baoni, title Nawab, Hereditary salute of 11-guns
  • Bijawar, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 11-guns
  • Charkhari, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 11-guns
  • Panna, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 11-guns
  • Samthar, title Raja, Hereditary salute of 11-guns
Non-salute states, alphabetically:
Jagirs :
Former princely States that were annexed or seized by the British :

Bagelkhand Agency

Bagelkhand Agency, the easternmost charge, was established in March 1871, when it was separated from Bundelkhand agency. In 1900, it covered the area of twelve states, including :
Salute states, by precedence :
  • Rewa, the largest state in Bagelkhand, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 17-guns
  • Baraundha, title Raja, Hereditary salute of 9-guns
  • Maihar, title Raja, Hereditary salute of 9-guns
Non-salute states :
Zamindari Estates :
In 1931, all of the states but Rewa were transferred back to Bundelkhand, and in 1933 Rewa was transferred to the Indore Residency.

Gwalior Residency

Gwalior Residency was placed under the Central India Agency in 1854, and separated from Central India Agency in 1911. It included the following, among other smaller states, plus Chhabra pargana of Tonk State : Include Jagirs Chhadawad, Bagli, Dattigaon, Balipur/chikli, Nimkheda, Pathari, Tonk Khurd, etc.
Salute states :
Non-salute states :
Furthermore, lesser estates
  • Agra Barkhera
  • Kathaun
  • Khiaoda
  • Sangul Wardha
  • Sirsi

Bhopal Agency

Bhopal Agency,, which included the following :
Salute states, by precedence :
Non-salute states, alphabetically :

Indore Residency

Indore Residency included most of Indore (Holkar) and after 1933 also Rewa State, the largest state from the Baghelkhand Agency.

Malwa Agency

Malwa Agency,, which included parts of Gwalior, Indore and Tonk states and the states of:
Salute states, by precedence :
Non-salute states :
Estates :
In 1925, the Malwa Agency was amalgamated with Bhopawar Agency.

Bhopawar Agency

Bhopawar Agency included the princely states of Malwa region:
It also included territories of Gwalior and Indore States. In 1927 the agency was renamed the Southern States Agency, later the Southern States and Malwa Agency, and after 1934 Malwa Agency.
Salute states, by precedence :
  • Dhar, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 15-guns
The following were the jagirs (estates), ruled by the Bhilala tribes, that were under the Suzerainty of Dhar State.:
  1. Kali-Baori
  2. Nimkhera
  3. Rajgadh
  • Alirajpur, title Raja, Hereditary salute of 11-guns, including the extinct State of Phulmaal which was incorporated into it earlier as well as Fiefs of .
  • Barwani, title Maharana, Hereditary salute of 11-guns
  • Jhabua, title Raja, Hereditary salute of 11-guns
Estates :
Discontinued :
  • Amjhera, title Rao
  • Chhadawad, title Rao
Jagirs :

Post-independence

Upon the British withdrawal from India in 1947, the rulers of the princely states in this area all chose to accede to the new Union of India. The eastern portion of Central India Agency, including Bagelkhand and Bundelkhand agencies, became the new state Vindhya Pradesh. The western portion, including Bhopal, Malwa, and Bhopawar agencies and the Gwalior and Indore residencies, became the new state of Madhya Bharat. Bhopal became a separate state. Makrai was transferred to Madhya Pradesh, which had been created from the former Central Provinces and Berar in 1950. In 1956, the states of Vindhya Pradesh, Madhya Bharat, and Bhopal were merged into Madhya Pradesh. Later another state, Chhattisgarh, was formed from the area that was formerly Madhya Pradesh.