Central India Agency
Encyclopedia
The Central India Agency was a political office of the British Indian Empire
, which covered the northern half of present-day Madhya Pradesh
state. The Central India Agency was made up entirely of princely state
s, which were under native rulers. The agency was bordered by the Central Provinces and Berar
to the south; the Chota Nagpur princely states
to the east, which were transferred from Bengal
to the Central Provinces and Berar
in 1905; the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
to the north; Rajputana
to the northwest; and Bombay Presidency
to the west and southwest. Lalitpur District
, part of the United Provinces, split the Central India Agency into eastern and western portions.
The Central India Agency was created in 1854, by amalgamating several smaller political offices which formerly reported to the Governor-General of India
. The agency was overseen by a political agent who maintained British relations with the princely states and influence over them on behalf of the Governor-General. The headquarters of the agent were at Indore
.
and Bagelkhand
regions came under British control at the conclusion of the Treaty of Bassein
between the British and the Maratha
- Peshwa
Bajirao II . British control of Bundelkhand expanded at the conclusion of the Second Anglo-Maratha War
in 1805. The remaining states , including Gwalior
, Indore
, Bhopal and a number of smaller states in the regions of Malwa, Nimar
, and Bundelkhand
, came under British control with the end of the Third Anglo-Maratha War
in 1818 . The estate of Chanderi
was ceded to the Sindhia ruler of Gwalior in 1844 by the British, and the state of Jhansi
was seized by the British in 1853 under the doctrine of lapse
was added to the United Provinces. In 1921 Gwalior Residency
was separated from the Central India Agency, and in 1933 the state of Makrai
transferred to Central India from the Central Provinces and Berar.
states had direct relations with the British Government, but not by treaty. These states, in Bundelkhand and Bagelkhand, were granted deeds (sanads) confirming rulers in possession of their states, in return for the rulers signing a written bond of allegiance (ikrarnama) to the British. The remaining smaller states and estates were known as mediatized or guaranteed states. Mediatized states were under the authority of a larger state, with the relationship between the states arranged through British mediation. Guaranteed states, found only in Malwa, were states under the authority of larger states, in which the British guaranteed whatever rights existed at the time of British occupation of the region at the conclusion of the Pindari War.
The princely states were closely related to one of several political officers, which were rearranged a number of times in the history of the Agency. Upon the British withdrawal from India in 1947, the political offices consisted of Indore Residency and the Bundelkhand, Bhopal, and Malwa Agencies.
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, 13 estates, and the pargana
of Alampur
belonging to Indore state
In 1931, all of the states under the Baghelkhand Agency apart from Rewa were transferred back to Bundelkhand.
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 Orchha State
.
In 1931, all of the states but Rewa were transferred back to Bundelkhand, and in 1933 Rewa was transferred to the Indore Residency.
was placed under the Central India Agency in 1854, and separated from Central India Agency in 1921. It included the following :
, 11653 sq mi (30,181.1 km²)., which included the following :
included most of Indore state and after 1933 also Rewa State .
, 8919 sq mi (23,100.1 km²), which included parts of Gwalior
, Indore and Tonk states and the states of:
In 1925, the Malwa Agency was amalgamated with Bhopawar Agency.
included the princely states of
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 .
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, Chattisgarh, was formed from the area that was formerly Madhya Pradesh.
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
, which covered the northern half of present-day Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
state. The Central India Agency was made up entirely of princely state
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
s, which were under native rulers. The agency was bordered by the Central Provinces and Berar
Central Provinces and Berar
The Central Provinces and Berar was a province of British India. The province comprised British conquests from the Mughals and Marathas in central India, and covered much of present-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states. Its capital was Nagpur. The Central Provinces was formed in...
to the south; the Chota Nagpur princely states
Chota Nagpur States
The Chota Nagpur States were a group of princely states at the time of British India, located on the Chhota Nagpur Plateau in the present-day Indian states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Orissa...
to the east, which were transferred from Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
to the Central Provinces and Berar
Central Provinces and Berar
The Central Provinces and Berar was a province of British India. The province comprised British conquests from the Mughals and Marathas in central India, and covered much of present-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states. Its capital was Nagpur. The Central Provinces was formed in...
in 1905; the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
The United Provinces of Agra and Oudh was a province of India under the British Raj, which existed from 1902 to 1947; the official name was shortened by the Government of India Act 1935 to United Provinces, by which the province had been commonly known, and by which name it was also a province of...
to the north; Rajputana
Rajputana
Rājputāna was the pre-1949 name of the present-day Indian state of Rājasthān, the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. George Thomas was the first in 1800 A.D., to term this region as Rajputana...
to the northwest; and Bombay Presidency
Bombay Presidency
The Bombay Presidency was a province of British India. It was established in the 17th century as a trading post for the English East India Company, but later grew to encompass much of western and central India, as well as parts of post-partition Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula.At its greatest...
to the west and southwest. Lalitpur District
Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
Lalitpur District is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India. Lalitpur district is a part of Jhansi Division. Lalitpur is the main town and administrative headquarters. The district occupies an area of 5,039 km²....
, part of the United Provinces, split the Central India Agency into eastern and western portions.
Governor-General of India
The Governor-General of India was the head of the British administration in India, and later, after Indian independence, the representative of the monarch and de facto head of state. The office was created in 1773, with the title of Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William...
. The agency was overseen by a political agent who maintained British relations with the princely states and influence over them on behalf of the Governor-General. The headquarters of the agent were at Indore
Indore
Indore is one of the major city in India, the largest city and commercial center of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Indore is located 190 km west of the state capital Bhopal. According to the 2011 Indian census, Indore city has a population of 1,960,631...
.
History
British hegemony over the states of Central India began in 1802, when several states in the BundelkhandBundelkhand
Bundelkhand anciently known as Chedi Kingdom is a geographic region of central India...
and Bagelkhand
Bagelkhand
Bagelkhand or Baghelkhand, is a region in central India, in northeastern Madhya Pradesh state. It includes the Madhya Pradesh districts of Anuppur, Rewa, Satna, Shadol, Sidhi, and Umaria....
regions came under British control at the conclusion of the Treaty of Bassein
Treaty of Bassein
The Treaty of Bassein could refer to one of the articles shown below.*Treaty of Bassein - a treaty signed by Sultan Bahadur of Gujarat and the Portuguese....
between the British and the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
- Peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
Bajirao II . British control of Bundelkhand expanded at the conclusion of the Second Anglo-Maratha War
Second Anglo-Maratha War
The Second Anglo-Maratha War was the second conflict between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire in India.-Background:...
in 1805. The remaining states , including Gwalior
Gwalior state
Gwalior State was an Indian kingdom and princely state ruled by the Maratha dynasty. The state took its name from the old town of Gwalior, which, although never the actual capital, was an important place because of its strategic location and the strength of its fort. The state was founded in the...
, Indore
Indore
Indore is one of the major city in India, the largest city and commercial center of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Indore is located 190 km west of the state capital Bhopal. According to the 2011 Indian census, Indore city has a population of 1,960,631...
, Bhopal and a number of smaller states in the regions of Malwa, Nimar
Nimar
Nimar is the southwestern region of Madhya Pradesh state in west-central India.The region lies south of the Vindhya Range, and consists of two portions of the Narmada and Tapti river valleys, separated by a section of the Satpura Range, about 15 miles in breadth...
, and Bundelkhand
Bundelkhand
Bundelkhand anciently known as Chedi Kingdom is a geographic region of central India...
, came under British control with the end of the Third Anglo-Maratha War
Third Anglo-Maratha War
The Third Anglo-Maratha War was the final and decisive conflict between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire in India. The war left the Company in control of most of India. It began with an invasion of Maratha territory by 110,400 British East India Company troops, the largest...
in 1818 . The estate of Chanderi
Chanderi
Chanderi चंदेरी شندرئ is a town of historical importance in Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh state in India. It is situated at a distance of 127 km from Shivpuri,37 km from Lalitpur,55 km from Ashok Nagar and about 45 km from Esagarh It is surrounded by hills southwest of...
was ceded to the Sindhia ruler of Gwalior in 1844 by the British, and the state of Jhansi
Jhansi
Jhansi Hindi:झाँसी, , Marathi: झाशी, is a historical city of India. Jhansi is the administrative headquarters of Jhansi District and Jhansi Division. The original walled city grew up around its stone fort, which crowns a neighboring rock. This district is on the bank of river Betwa.The National...
was seized by the British in 1853 under the doctrine of lapse
Doctrine of lapse
The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy purportedly devised by Lord Dalhousie, who was the Governor General for the British in India between 1848 and 1856...
was added to the United Provinces. In 1921 Gwalior Residency
Gwalior Residency
Gwalior Residency was a political office in the British Indian Empire, which existed from 1782 until the British withdrawal from India in 1947. The Gwalior residency dealt with a number of Princely States of Central India, principally Gwalior State, but also the states of Benares and Rampur, the...
was separated from the Central India Agency, and in 1933 the state of Makrai
Makrai
Makrai was a princely state of India from the 16th century, later coming under the administrative authority of the Central Provinces and Berar until 1933, when it was transferred to the Bhopal Agency subdivision of the Central India Agency. In 1892, it covered an area of and had a population of...
transferred to Central India from the Central Provinces and Berar.
States
The princely states in the area of the Agency, 148 in all, varied greatly in size. Eleven states held treaty relations with the British Government, and were known as the treaty states: Gwalior, Indore, Bhopal, Dhar, the two Dewas states, Jaora, Orchha, Datia, Samthar, and Rewa. The 31 sanadSanad
Sanad can refer to:*Isnād, the citations or "backings" used to verify the legitimacy of a hadith*Sanad, In British India, a deed granted to native rulers confirming them in their states, in return for their allegiance...
states had direct relations with the British Government, but not by treaty. These states, in Bundelkhand and Bagelkhand, were granted deeds (sanads) confirming rulers in possession of their states, in return for the rulers signing a written bond of allegiance (ikrarnama) to the British. The remaining smaller states and estates were known as mediatized or guaranteed states. Mediatized states were under the authority of a larger state, with the relationship between the states arranged through British mediation. Guaranteed states, found only in Malwa, were states under the authority of larger states, in which the British guaranteed whatever rights existed at the time of British occupation of the region at the conclusion of the Pindari War.
The princely states were closely related to one of several political officers, which were rearranged a number of times in the history of the Agency. Upon the British withdrawal from India in 1947, the political offices consisted of Indore Residency and the Bundelkhand, Bhopal, and Malwa Agencies.
Bundelkhand Agency
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, 13 estates, and the pargana
Pargana
A pargana is a former administrative unit of the Indian subcontinent, used primarily, but not exclusively, by the Muslim kingdoms.Parganas were introduced by the Delhi Sultanate, and the word is of Persian origin. As a revenue unit, a pargana consists of several mouzas, which are the smallest...
of Alampur
Alampur
Alampur is a temple-town situated in Mahbubnagar district, in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India.It is located at about 90 KM from Mahabubnagar, 27 km From Kurnool and 200 km from Hyderabad...
belonging to Indore state
In 1931, all of the states under the Baghelkhand Agency apart from Rewa were transferred back to Bundelkhand.
Bagelkhand Agency
Bagelkhand Agency
Bagelkhand Agency
Bagelkhand Agency was a collection of princely states in British India. It was named after the Bagelkhand region. The agency was established in March 1871. Until that date Bagelkhand was under the Bundelkhand Agency, with which it is geographically and historically connected...
, 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 Orchha State
Orchha State
Orchha State, a princely state of Bundelkhand region, in present Madhya Pradesh state, India, was founded in the 1501 AD, by the Bundela chief, Rudra Pratap Singh, who became the first King of Orchha, and also built the Fort of Orchha. He died in an attempt to save a cow from a lion...
.
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 ResidencyGwalior Residency
Gwalior Residency was a political office in the British Indian Empire, which existed from 1782 until the British withdrawal from India in 1947. The Gwalior residency dealt with a number of Princely States of Central India, principally Gwalior State, but also the states of Benares and Rampur, the...
was placed under the Central India Agency in 1854, and separated from Central India Agency in 1921. It included the following :
- GwaliorGwalior stateGwalior State was an Indian kingdom and princely state ruled by the Maratha dynasty. The state took its name from the old town of Gwalior, which, although never the actual capital, was an important place because of its strategic location and the strength of its fort. The state was founded in the...
- RampurRampur, Uttar PradeshRampur is a city and a municipality located in Rampur District in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Rampur district is located at Longitude 78-0-54 to 69-0-28 East and Latitude 28-25 to 29-10 North and spans an area of 2,367 km².It also gave its name to a former princely state of British...
- Benaras (RamnagarRamnagar, VaranasiRamnagar is a city and a municipal board in Varanasi district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ramnagar has a fort known as Ramnagar Fort which is still the residence of King of Varanasi . He was known as Kashi Naresh meaning king of Kashi and is still regarded by old residents of the city of...
)
Bhopal Agency
Bhopal AgencyBhopal 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 other Princely States of :- Khilchipur , Kurwai , Narsingarh , ...
, 11653 sq mi (30,181.1 km²)., which included the following :
- Bhopal
- DewasDewasDewas is an ancient town situated on the Malwa plateau in the West-central part of Indian state called Madhya Pradesh, about 160 km south west from state capital, Bhopal. It is the administrative center of the Dewas District, and was formerly the seat of two princely states during the British...
Junior (transferred to Malwa Agency in 1907, and to Bhopal Agency in 1933) - DewasDewasDewas is an ancient town situated on the Malwa plateau in the West-central part of Indian state called Madhya Pradesh, about 160 km south west from state capital, Bhopal. It is the administrative center of the Dewas District, and was formerly the seat of two princely states during the British...
Senior (transferred to Malwa Agency in 1907, and to Bhopal Agency in 1933) - KhilchipurKhilchipur StateKhilchipur State was a princely state in India. The seat was in Khilchipur.Founded in 1544 by Dewan Ugra Sen, a Khichi Rajput, a section of the great Chauhan clan, who was forced by family dissensions to migrate from the Khichi capital of Gagraun...
- KurwaiKurwai StateThe ruling house founded in 1713 by Muhammad Diler Khan, an Afghan adventurer of the Firuz-Khel clan, of the Orakzai tribe. A contemporary and cousin of Nawab Dost Muhammad Khan of Bhopal, Diler Khan, seized Kurwai and several surrounding villages...
- MakraiMakraiMakrai was a princely state of India from the 16th century, later coming under the administrative authority of the Central Provinces and Berar until 1933, when it was transferred to the Bhopal Agency subdivision of the Central India Agency. In 1892, it covered an area of and had a population of...
(transferred to Bhopal Agency in 1933 from the Central Provinces and Berar) - MuhammadgarhMuhammadgarhMuhammadgarh is a town of Bahawalpur District in the Punjab province of eastern Pakistan. Neighbouring settlements include Faqirwali and Basti Nari....
- Narsingarh
- PathariPathariPathari is a formerly princely state of India, administratively under the Bhopal Agency subdivision of the Central India Agency. The state covered an area of 78 square kilometers and had a population of 6,293 in 1892....
- RajgarhRajgarh StateRajgarh State was a princely state and was part of Bhopal Agency of the Central India Agency. It had an area of 940 sq. mi., and a population of 88,376 in 1901. Estimated revenue, 33,000 ; tribute , 3640. The rulers, whose title was Rawat, were Rajputs of the Ponwar clan...
Indore Residency
Indore ResidencyIndore Residency
Indore was one of the residencies of British India.Indore Residency included most of Indore State, and, after 1933, Rewa State, which formerly belonged to Bagelkhand Agency. It was part of Central India Agency....
included most of Indore state and after 1933 also Rewa State .
Malwa Agency
Malwa AgencyMalwa Agency
Malwa Agency was an administrative section of British India's Central India Agency . The Malwa Agency was formed in 1895 out of princely states in the Northern Malwa region formerly under the authority of the British agent for Indore...
, 8919 sq mi (23,100.1 km²), which included parts of Gwalior
Gwalior state
Gwalior State was an Indian kingdom and princely state ruled by the Maratha dynasty. The state took its name from the old town of Gwalior, which, although never the actual capital, was an important place because of its strategic location and the strength of its fort. The state was founded in the...
, Indore and Tonk states and the states of:
- JaoraJaora StateJaora State was founded by 'Abdu'l Ghafur Muhammad Khan, a Muslim of Afghan descent. He was a cavalry officer serving the Pindari leader Amir Khan. He later served the Holkar maharaja of Indore, subduing Rajput territories in northern Malwa and annexing their lands. In return for his services, he...
- PiplodaPiploda StatePiploda State was a princely state in India. It was ruled by Rajputs of the Dodia clan. The state had an area of 91 km². Piploda was a dependency of Jaora state until 1924, when it became a separate state...
- RatlamRatlam StateRatlam State was a princely state in British India, part of Malwa agency of Central India. For long period the Ratlam region was under rule of the Rathor's...
- SitamauSitamauSitamau is a town and a nagar panchayat in Mandsaur district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is in the Mandsaur district of Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh.It was the seat of the princely Sitamau State....
- SailanaSailana StateSailana State was a princely state in India during British raj with an area of 769 km². It was part of Malwa Agency, a part of Central India Agency. Sailana State was founded by Jai Singh, great-grandson of Ratan Singh, founder of Ratlam State in 1730. Initially his capital was at Raoti. He built...
In 1925, the Malwa Agency was amalgamated with Bhopawar Agency.
Bhopawar Agency
Bhopawar AgencyBhopawar Agency
Bhopawar was an sub-agency of the Central India Agency in British India with the headquarters at the town of Bhopawar , so the name . Bhopawar Agency was created in 1882 from a number of princely states in the Western Nimar and Southern Malwa regions of Central India , which included :-# Dhar.#*...
included the princely states of
- DharDharDhār is located in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state in central India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dhar District. The town is located west of Mhow, above sea level...
- BarwaniBarwaniBarwani , also known as Badwani, is a city and a municipality in Barwani District in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The city is situated near the left bank of the Narmada River, and is the administrative headquarter of Barwani District. It has served as the capital of the former princely state...
- JhabuaJhabuaJhabua is a town and a municipality in Jhabua district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of Jhabua District.-History:...
- AlirajpurAlirajpurAlirajpur is a city and a municipality in Alirajpur district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.Alirajpur State was formerly a princely state of India, under the Bhopawar Agency in Central India. It lies in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, near the border with Gujarat and Maharashtra. It...
- JobatJobatJobat is a town and a nagar panchayat in Alirajpur district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.- History :Jobat is a formerly princely state of India, administratively under the Bhopawar Agency subdivision of the Central India Agency. The state covered an area of 339 square kilometres in 1901...
- Mathwar
- Kathiwara
- Ratanmaal
It also included territories of Gwalior and Indore
Indore
Indore is one of the major city in India, the largest city and commercial center of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Indore is located 190 km west of the state capital Bhopal. According to the 2011 Indian census, Indore city has a population of 1,960,631...
States. In 1927 the agency was renamed the Southern States Agency, later the Southern States and Malwa Agency, and after 1934 Malwa Agency .
Post-independence
Instrument of Accession
The Instrument of Accession was a legal document created in 1947 to enable each of the rulers of the princely states under British suzerainty to join one of the new dominions of India or Pakistan created by the Partition of British India.-Background:...
to the new Union of India
Dominion of India
The Dominion of India, also known as the Union of India or the Indian Union , was a predecessor to modern-day India and an independent state that existed between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950...
. The eastern portion of Central India Agency, including Bagelkhand and Bundelkhand agencies, became the new state Vindhya Pradesh
Vindhya Pradesh
Vindhya Pradesh is a former state of India. It occupied an area of 23,603 sq. miles. It was created in 1948, shortly after Indian independence, from the territories of the princely states in the eastern portion of the former Central India Agency. It was named for the Vindhya Range, which runs...
. The western portion, including Bhopal, Malwa, and Bhopawar agencies and the Gwalior and Indore residencies, became the new state of Madhya Bharat
Madhya Bharat
Madhya Bharat , also known as Malwa Union was an Indian state in west-central India, created on 28 May 1948 from twenty-five princely states which until 1947 had been part of the Central India Agency, with Jivaji Rao Scindia as its Rajpramukh...
. Bhopal
Bhopal State (1949-1956)
Bhopal was the name of state of India, which existed from 1949 to 1956. The state evolved out of the princely state of Bhopal, and was merged with neighboring states to form Madhya Pradesh in 1956. Shankar Dayal Sharma served as chief minister of Bhopal state from 1952 to 1956.- History :Before the...
became a separate state. Makrai was transferred to Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
, 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, Chattisgarh, was formed from the area that was formerly Madhya Pradesh.