Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/174

 122 THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — INDIA AND DEPENDENCIES

Central India Agency. — This includes some 150 States. The bulk of the population are Hindus. The Indian Government is represented by an Agent at Indore, and under him is the Resident at Gwalior, and Political Agents for Baghelkhand, Bundelkhand, Bhopal, Southern States of Central India, and Malwa. The territories of the different States are much divided and intermingled, and their political relations with the Indian Government and with one another are very varied. Most of the ruling princes and chiefs exercise authority through a Diwan or Minister. Education is progressing, but varies greatly in different States. The annual revenue of the wtiole group is approximately 2,500,0002.

Hyderabad. — Ruler, Lieutenant-fieneral H.E.H. Sir Usman Ali Khan, G.C.S. 1., G. B.E., Nizam of Hyderabad. This is the largest and most populous of the internal States The administration is carried on, subject to the order of H.E.H. the Nizam, hy an executive council. A Legis- lative Council was established in 1893, and consists of about 20 members. The British Government is represented by a Resident. The bulk of the population are Hindus, but the ruling family is Muhammadan. European officers and experts control and supervise some of the more important branches of administration. The annual revenue is approximately 3,000,0002.

Kashmir. — This State occupies most of the northernmost portion of India, and is administered by Lieutenant-General H.H. Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh, G.O.S.I., G.C.I.E., G B E., Maharaja of Jammud and Kashmir, with the assistance of ministers, the Indian Government being represented by a Resident. The revenue in 1917-18 was 903,0002., and the expenditure 859.0002. The bulk of the population are Muhammadans, though the ruling family is Hindu.

Mysore. — Ruler, Colonel H.H. Maharaji Sri Sir Krishnaraja Wadiyar Bahadur, G.C S.I., G. B.E. . Maharaja of Mysore. The administration is carried on under him by the Diwan or Prime Minister, assisted by two Councillors. -The Indian Government is represented by a Resident. There is a Representative Assembly dating trom 1881, elected by the leading ryots, merchants, and local bodies. It meets for a few days annually for discussion, but has no powers. A Legislative Council was formed in 1907 consisting of from 13 to 18 members. The bulk of the population are Hindus. The education system is on a high level. Primary education was made free in all schools in 1908. The revenue in 1917-18 was 2,97,32,000 rupees, and the expenditure 2,76,70,000 rupees.

North West Frontier Province. — Only about one-third of this is British territory, lying along the Punjab border. Between this and the Afghan frontier is the tribal territory. The British Government exercises the minimum of interference. The region is divided into five Political Agencies : Northern Waziristan, Southern Waziristan, the Kurram, the Khyber, and Dir, Swat, and Chitral. Only in the last can anything approaching an organised State be said to exist. Free primary education was introduced in April, 1912.

Rajputana Agency. — Rajputana includes 21 States surrounding the British province of Aimer- Merwara. The Indian Government is represented by an Agent at Abu, and under him are three Residents (for Mewar, Jaipur, uud W. Rajputana), and three Political Agents (for E. Rajputana, S. Rajputana, Kotah and Jhalawar, and Haraoti andTonk). The bulk of the population are Hindus. The administration varies considerably from State to State, but generally the central authority is in the hands of the ruling prince or chief, who is usually assisted by a Council or by a Diwan or Kamdar. Education