The Punjab States Agency 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. It was created entirely of princely states of India, which were controlled by native rulers and Indian princes. The agency was managed by a resident of British India, also known as political agent, who officially served as a diplomat but was also responsible for keeping the ruler to maintain the association and alliance with the British administration. The Resident influenced the princely states of the Governor General. The Punjab States Agency administered around 40 Indian princely states in northwest India that was earlier under the control of the British province of the Punjab. In the year 1936, the Punjab Hill States Agency was formed out of the region. After India achieved independence from the British Government of India, most of the princely states acceded to the Union of India, while the rest of the states acceded to the Dominion of Pakistan.
Princely States under the Punjab States Agency
The Punjab States Agency comprised of several Indian princely states which were included in the geographical territory of the agency. These are mentioned below-
* Princely State of Bahawalpur
* Princely State of Bilaspur, also known as Kahlur
* Chamba State
* Princely State of Faridkot
* Princely State of Kapurthala
* Princely State of Nabha
* Princely State of Patiala
* Khairpur State
* Princely State of Jind
* Loharu State
* Kutlehar State
* Maler Kotla State
* Princely State of Mandi
* Princely State of Kangra
* Princely State of Datarpur
* Princely State of Suket
* Nahan State
* Jaswan State
* Princely State of Guler
* Dada Siba State
Apart from these, the princely states of the Shimla Hill States under the supervision and superintendency of the Punjab States Agency included-
* Princely State of Bashahr
* Princely State of Sangri
* Princely State of Keonthal
* Princely State of Mangal
* Baghal State
* Mawiang State
* Princely State of Balsan
* Baghat
* Princely State of Darkoti
* Princely State of Kunihar
* Nalagarh, also known as Hindur
* Bhajji State
* Bija State
* Princely State of Tharoch
* Princely State of Kuthar
* Princely State of Dhami
* Princely State of Mahlog
* Jubbal State
* Princely State of Mawsynram
* Kumharsain State
