Princely State of Pataudi

The Princely State of Pataudi was one of the minor princely states of India that were administered by native rulers or Indian princes under the indirect control of the British Government of India. The territory covered a total area of 53 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 21,520 according to the census of 1941. The erstwhile princely state of Pataudi was an enclave that was situated in the British district of Gurgaon, Ambala Division of the Province of Punjab. The territory lied towards the southwest of Delhi. Pataudi included around 60 villages and the town of Pataudi. After the independence of India in the year 1947, the native state was acceded to the newly formed Union of India, also known as the Dominion of India.

History of Princely State of Pataudi
The native ruler of the princely state of Pataudi held the title of Nawab and was Muslim by religion. Shaikh Pir Mat was the founder of the Pataudi family. He was a native of Afghanistan who left the territory for India during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Alaf Khan, his descendant, a soldier of distinction and fought for the Maratha Empire and eventually for the Mughal emperors. Later he helped the British Indian Army and provided military service to Lord Lake during his campaigns against the Marathas and Holkar. In the year 1806, Lord Lake conferred the jagir of Pataudi upon Faiz Talab Khan, who was the son of Alaf Khan, for his distinguished service. Faiz Talab Khan was granted full judicial and revenue authority over the region by the British administration. The last native ruler of the princely state of Pataudi was the 8th of the line. Pataudi state was ranked 17th in order of precedence among the Punjab states.

Administration of Princely State of Pataudi
The native state was incorporated as a part of the Punjab States Agency, which was a political office of the British Empire in India that managed a collection of princely states of India. It was formed during the 1930s, based on the model of the Rajputana Agency and the Central India Agency. The native state of Pataudi was one of the non salute states of India. The native ruler or Nawab took charge of the administration of the state and exercised full criminal and civil jurisdiction, excluding capital cases that involved his own subjects.

The Princely State of Pataudi was one of the original constituent members of the Chamber of Princes, which was a number of smaller states indirectly represented by 12 princes who were elected periodically by them.

Accession of Princely State of Pataudi
After the nation gained freedom from the political withdrawal of the British Empire in India in the year 1947, the country was segmented into India and Pakistan through the Partition of India. The native rulers of the princely states of India were given the alternative of acceding to either the Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The Nawab of the princely state of Pataudi decided to accede his state to the newly formed Union of India.