Chota Nagpur States

The Chota Nagpur States were a group of princely states at the time of British India, located on the Chhota Nagpur Plateau in the present-day Indian states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Orissa. In the 18th century, the states came within the sphere of influence of the Maratha Empire, but they became tributary states of British India as a result of the Anglo-Maratha Wars in the early 19th century. British suzerainty over the states was exercised by the government of the Bengal Presidency, and they were nine in number:-

• Bonai
• Chang Bhakar
• Gangpur
• Jashpur
• Kharsawan
• Koriya (Korea)
• Saraikela
• Surguja (Sirguja)
• Udaipur.

These above named princely state were collectively called the Chhota Nagpur States.

In October 1905, the exercise of British influence over the predominantly Hindi-speaking states of Chang Bhakar, Jashpur, Koriya, Surguja, and Udaipur was transferred from the Bengal government to that of the Central Provinces, while the two Oriya-speaking states of Gangpur and Bonai were attached to the Orissa Tributary States, leaving only Kharsawan and Saraikela answerable to the Bengal governor.

In 1936, all nine states were transferred to the Eastern States Agency, the officials of which came under the direct authority of the Governor-General of India, rather than under that of any Provinces. After Indian independence in 1947, the rulers of the states all chose to accede to the Dominion of India. Chang Bhakar, Jashpur, Koriya, Surguja, and Udaipur later became part of Madhya Pradesh state, Gangpur and Bonai part of Orissa state, and Kharsawan and Saraikela part of Bihar state.

In November 2000, the new states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand were separated from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, respectively.

References

• Hunter, William Wilson, Sir, et al. (1908). Imperial Gazetteer of India, Volume 12. 1908-1931; Clarendon Press, Oxford.