Home > Indian History > History of India > Bundelkhand Agency
Bundelkhand Agency
Bundelkhand Agency was a collection of sanad states of India during the rule of the British. The sanad states were organized into the Agency in 1811.

Share this Article:

Bundelkhand AgencyThe Bundelkhand Agency was a collection of sanad states of India during the rule of British Empire in India. These states were organized into the Agency in the year 1811 after a Resident of Britsh India, also known as political agent, was appointed to the Governor General of India and headquartered at Banda. The Maratha rulers ceded parts of Bundelkhand to the British administration in the year 1802 by the Treaty of Bassein. It was later identified as the British Bundelkhand. Since 1802, various native rulers of the princely states granted deeds and leases, known as Sanads, by the British government of India. After 1802, many of the local rulers were granted sanads (leases) by the British, which provided them permission to the lands which they controlled after the death of Ali Bahadur. The Indian princes had to sign a written bond of allegiance or Ikrarnama to the British, in return.

History of Bundelkhand Agency
The British resident or political officer, associated with the British forces in Bundelkhand region, managed the relations of the British with the rulers of the sanad states. In the year 1806, the Maratha ruler of Jhansi was assured the support and protection of the British administration and later the hereditary rights of the ruler to Jhansi state was recognized by the British in 1817. The next year, the rights of the Peshwa in Pune was ceded by him, over Bundelkhand to the British East India Company, at the end of the Third Anglo Maratha War in 1818. In the year 1811, the sanad states were organized into the Bundelkhand Agency after the Bbritish resident to the Governor General of India was appointed and headquartered at Banda.

The British resident operated under the supervision of the Lieutenant Governor of the NorthWestern Provinces in 1835, which was headquartered in Agra. Later in 1849, the management of administration of Bundelkhand Agency was briefly placed under the Commissioner for the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories, who appointed a political assistant at Jhansi. Afterwards, the authority over Bundelkhand came under the Resident at Gwalior state. Moreover the headquarters of the political assistant was shifted to Nowgong until 1947. In the year 1853, the ruler of Jhansi lacked an heir and after his death the state was annexed to British Bundelkhand. The state of Jhansi and the districts of Jalaun and Chanderi were then formed into superintendency. The Bundelkhand Agency was resassigned under the control of the newly formed Central India Agency, which had its headquarters in Indore state.

Rani Lakshmi Bai, the widow of the ruler of Jhansi state, protested the annexation as she was not permitted to adopt an heir. Moreover the slaughter of cattle was also allowed in the territory of Jhansi after the annexation. The great revolt of 1857 eventually found its base in Jhansi state as well. Later a troop of the 12th native infantry captured the fort which consisted of the treasure and magazine and executed the British officers of the garrison. Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi led the rebel group and they seized various princely states, which were allied to the British and the adjoining British districts as well. She died in 1858 at Gwalior in a battle. Jhansi later came under the British dominion in the year 1858.

The Maharaja of Gwalior was given the territory of Jhansi after the great revolt, but it came under the rule of British Empire in India in 1886 as it was exchanged for Gwalior fort. In 1865 the political assistant was replaced with a resident of Britsh India or Political Agent. The eastern region of the Bundelkhand Agency was separated to create the Bagelkhand Agency in the year 1871. The state of Khaniadhana was reassigned to the administration of the Gwalior Resident later in 1888. Further more, in 1896 Baraunda, Jaso and the Chaube Jagirs were also transferred to the Bagelkhand agency. In 1901, the region consisted of nine states, thirteen estates and the pargana of Alampur, which belonged to the princely state of Indore. It covered a total area of 25,510 sq km. According the Census of India the total population of Bundelkhand Agency in the year 1901 was 1,308,326. The population decreased by 13% during the period 1891 and 1901, as the area was severely affected by famine.

The most prominent and significant princely states included in the Agency were Ajaigarh, Bijawar, Datia, Chhatarpur, Charkhari, Samthar, Panna and Orchha. During the British rule, deforestation increased in the territory. The entire Bagelkhand Agency, except the princely state of Rewa, was merged with the Bundelkhand Agency in the year 1931.

Princely States of Bundelkhand Agency
The Bundelkhand Agency was bordered by Bagelkand in the east, Lalitpur District in the west, and the United Provinces in the north and the Central Provinces in the south. The agency of Bagelkhand was segregated from the Bundelkhand agency in the year 1871. The Bundelkhand Agency consisted of several Indian princely states which included Tori Fatehpur, Sarila, Samthar, Panna, Orchha, Naigawan Rebai, Lugasi, Jigni, Gaurihar, Garrauli, Dhurwai, Datia, Bilheri Jagir, Chhatarpur, Charkhari, Bijna, Bijawar, Bihat, Beri, Baoni, Banka Pahari, Alipura and Ajaigarh.

Later in the year 1931, all of the Baghelkhand Agency, except the princely state of Rewa, was reassigned to Bundelkhand Agency.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India

History of Indian Drama
History of Indian Drama is rich with Vedas and Indian epics and has gradually changed with time and remains unaffected by any foreign influence.
History of Khajuraho Temple
Located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is country’s most magnificent groups of temples.
History of Ayurveda
History of Ayurveda dates back to 5,000 years old and is widely considered to be the oldest form of health care in the world.
History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History of Indian Photography
An overview of the development of photography, through the various stages in India.
History of Delhi
History of Delhi began with the advent of Indian regal dynasties. Delhi witnessed the rise and fall of Hindu dynasties, Muslims and the British as well.
History of Indian Radio
History of Indian Radio dates back to late 1930s with the first establishment of All India Radio in 1936 that improved further after independence.
History of Punjab
History of Punjab dates back to the 16th century; however its formation is traced in the great epic Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
History of Maharashtra
Maharashtra, the land of charismatic Marathas, unfolds the legend of diverse culture and tradition, keeping in pace with the modernity. The gallant history of Maharashtra is still echoed amidst its historical relics and archeological wonders.
History of Kerala
History of Kerala can be interpreted from the inscriptions of Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor. History of Kerala is as interesting as its wide-ranging geographical features that make the land a place of versatile appeal.
History of Bihar
History of Bihar goes back to the very dawn of the human civilizations. Many eminent personalities and leaders from Bihar contributed for India’s freedom struggle.
History of Assam
In the ancient Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, Assam was known as `Kamarupa` or `Pragjyotish`. In the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Tantras there are references of Assam as Kamrupa kingdom.
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back to the settlement of the East India Company in the territory of the Islands.
History of West Bengal
History of West Bengal is rooted in richness and is an important episode in the history of India. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping the history of India.
History of Jharkhand
One of the fairly newer states, Jharkhand was carved out of the southern portion of Bihar in 2000. The history of Jharkhand is seeped with a variety of cultural significances starting from the Vedic era to Mughal period and finally the British administration.
History of Sikkim
History of Sikkim declares the pre historic culture and the colonial era hilly politics and the rules of Sikkim.
History of Nagaland
The history of Nagaland mainly revolves around and deals with the customs and economic activities of the Naga Tribes and how the state has evolved since the Indian Independence.
History of Mizoram
History of Mizoram includes the various historical events and incidents which occurred during the various ages, right from before the age of the Mughals.
History of Jammu & Kashmir
History of Jammu and Kashmir involves a series of political and geographical transformations from every ancient era to the modern times also. Even now, Jammu and Kashmir has its political tension between Pakistan and India.
History of Puducherry
Puducherry was invaded by different invaders in different times. The invaders include Pallava Kingdom of Kanchipuram, dynasties of the South, Cholas of Thanjavur, Pandyas and Muslim invaders.
History of Chandigarh
In 1947, the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Punjab was also included in this partition. So, there was a need for a new capital for Punjab, as the old capital Lahore became part of Pakistan during the partition. So, in 1948, under the leadership of chief architect Mr. P.L. Verma the construction of Chandigarh city began.
History of Daman and Diu
During the early stage, i.e. from 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu was part of Goa.
History of Lakshadweep
History of Lakshadweep defines the first settlement on these islands under the Union Territory of India that was ruled by Cheraman Perumal, who was the last king of Kerala.
History of Karnataka
History of Karnataka comprised of the different rulers of different dynasties of various religions like Hindus, Buddhists, and later the Muslims.
History of Goa
History of Goa dates back to the 3rd century BC and reflects the rule of the mighty rulers and gained its independence under Jawaharlal Nehru.
History of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich historical heritage of culture of the ancient tribes. Being a bordering state of India, Arunachal Pradesh also has a history of military unrest since ancient Indian age.
History of Andhra Pradesh
History of Andhra Pradesh traces its origin back to the 5th century BC. According to the inscriptions, Kuberaka, the oldest Kingdom in South India had an empire in the coastal Andhra during that period.
History of Himachal Pradesh
History of Himachal Pradesh narrates about the various settlements and dynasties that emerged in the region over time.
History of Uttarakhand
History of Uttarakhand finds mention in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand is called as the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and shrines.
History of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan is dotted with tales of valor, chivalry, camaraderie and romance.
History of Tamil Nadu
History of Tamil Nadu reveals that this ancient place in South India was ruled by various kingdoms like the Pandyas Dynasty, Cholas Dynasty, Nayakas Dynasty and Pallavas Dynasty.
History of Haryana
History of Haryana depicts various events and influences that have cast a profound effect on the culture and people of the district. The place gained statehood on 1st of November 1966
History of Odisha
History of Odisha goes back a rather long way. Most of the history of the state is replete with the dynastic as well as tribal struggle for territorial superiority. Odisha is a place where one can find the religion, culture and history flow in away that lead to cultural amalgamation of early India.
History of Manipur
History of Manipur can be traced back to the prehistoric ages and this was followed by a number of rulers who reigned the land from age to age till it came under British rule and later joined the union of India.
History of Gujarat
History of Gujarat can be dated back to the 14th century that later witnessed the supremacy of many powerful dynasties.
History of Tripura
History of Tripura is dealing with the early mythological history and the history of British rule in North eastern part of India.
History of Meghalaya
The history of Meghalaya predominantly comprises of the three tribes of the state- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Later on Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam.
History of Chhattisgarh
History of Chhattisgarh dates back to the era of epics and traces through the reign of powerful dynasties in India like Marathas. The area developed a rich cultural heritage during British era.