The Indian Princely states (aka Native States or Princely India) were those states in the Indian subcontinent the British did not conquer but which were typically bound by treaty first to the East India Company and then to the British Crown. Many Indian princes consequently received 'protected' status, but this involved regular payments of tribute and/or concessions of territory.
More about: Indian Princely StatesDefinition
Timeline
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1600 - 1874The East India Company is active in South Asia and China.
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1757The East India Company begins to control its own territory in India.
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1767 - 1799The four Anglo-Mysore Wars see the East India Company expand its territories in India.
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1798Hyderabad becomes the first of many Indian princely states to become a protectorate of the East India Company.
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1845 - 1849The two Anglo-Sikh Wars further increase the territories of the East India Company.
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1857 - 1858The Sepoy Mutiny (aka The Uprising or First Indian War of Independence) against the East India Company.
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2 Aug 1858The British state takes full possession of East India Company territories in India.
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1877Queen Victoria is delcared Empress of India.
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1903Rulers of the Indian princely states pay homage to King Edward VII at the Delhi durbar.
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1911Rulers of the Indian princely states pay homage to King George V at the Delhi durbar.
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1921The British Raj forms the Chamber of Princes where rulers of the Indian princely states are represented.
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15 Aug 1947The Indian Princely States are formally abosrbed into the states of either India or Pakistan.
