Bhopal Agency

Bhopal Agency was an administrative section of British India's Central India Agency. The Bhopal Agency was formed in 1818 at the conclusion of the Third Anglo-Maratha War, and consisted of the princely state of Bhopal, the smaller princely states of Khilchipur, Kurwai, Narsingarh, Muhammadgarh, Pathari, and Rajgarh to the northwest of Bhopal, and the districts of Bhilsa and Isagarh, which belonged to the state of Gwalior. It was administered by an agent to the British Governor-General of India. In 1854 the Bhopal Agency became part of the newly-created Central India Agency. In 1895 the Gwalior districts of Bhilsa and Isagarh were transferred from Bhopal Agency to Gwalior Residency. In 1931 the two princely states of Dewas, known as junior and senior, were added to the agency, and in 1933 the state of Makrai was transferred from the Central Provinces and Berar.

Bhopal Agency ceased to exist at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, when India became independent, and all treaty relations between the princely states and the British ceased to exist. After independence, the rulers of these states acceded to the Government of India. All of the states but Bhopal were incorporated into the new state of Madhya Bharat, and Bhopal became its own state. Madhya Bharat and Bhopal were merged into Madhya Pradesh state on November 1, 1956.