Baluchistan Agency facts for kids
The Baluchistan Agency was a special area in British India during the time when Britain ruled over a large part of India. It was like a big region that the British government managed directly. This area covered about 44,345 square miles, which is a very large space!
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What was the Baluchistan Agency?
The Baluchistan Agency was set up by the British in 1877. It was not a regular province like some other parts of British India. Instead, it was a group of lands that the British had either leased (rented for a long time) or brought under their control in other ways. These lands were then managed directly by British officers.
The main purpose of the Baluchistan Agency was to help the British control the important trade routes and borders in the region. It was also a way for them to keep peace and order in an area that was often quite unsettled. The British wanted to make sure their interests were protected.
How the British Managed the Agency
The British government did not rule the Baluchistan Agency directly like they did in some other parts of India. Instead, they used a system where they worked with local rulers. They had a special officer called a "political agent" who was in charge. This agent was like a representative of the British government.
The political agent's job was to make sure that the local rulers followed agreements with the British. They also helped solve problems and kept an eye on what was happening in the region. This way, the British could control the area without having to send a huge army or set up a full government system.
Princely States in the Agency
The Baluchistan Agency included three important areas known as "princely states." A princely state was a region in British India that was ruled by its own local prince or ruler. These princes had some power, but they also had to follow certain rules set by the British. They were not fully independent.
The three princely states that were part of the Baluchistan Agency were:
Kalat: The Main State
Kalat was the most important of the three princely states. It was a very large area ruled by a leader called the Khan of Kalat. The British government worked closely with the Khan. The political agent, who represented the British, was usually based in Kalat.
The Khan of Kalat had a lot of influence over the other two states, Las Bela and Kharan. These two states were considered "feudatory states" of Kalat. This means they were connected to Kalat and had some duties or agreements with the Khan.
Las Bela and Kharan
Las Bela and Kharan were smaller princely states compared to Kalat. They had their own rulers, but they also had ties to the Khan of Kalat. The British kept an eye on these states through their political agent in Kalat.
These states had their own local customs and ways of life. Even though they were under British influence, they kept many of their traditional systems of government. The British mostly focused on keeping peace and ensuring that important routes were safe.
Images for kids
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Map of the Balochistan Agency with the princely states' territories in yellow.
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See also
In Spanish: Agencia de Baluchistán para niños
