Native States

British  

plural noun

1. Also called: Indian States and Agencies.  the former 562 semi-independent states of India, ruled by Indians but subject to varying degrees of British authority: merged with provinces by 1948; largest states were Hyderabad, Gwalior, Baroda, Mysore, Cochin, Jammu and Kashmir, Travancore, Sikkim, and Indore

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Example Sentences

There was, of course, no voting in the Native States ruled by India's bejeweled potentates.

From Time Magazine Archive

I. Land         Forest         Tribute from Native States   Total £25,124,489 II.

From The Opium Monopoly by La Motte, Ellen Newbold

Anna Kuāri finds votaries not only among the Oraons, but especially among the big zamīndārs and Rājas of the Native States.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India - Volume IV of IV Kumhar-Yemkala by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

In passing, I may note that the term 'feudal' does not express with any approach to correctness the relation of the Native States to the Government of India.

From Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official by Sleeman, William

The conception is in itself by no means novel and appeals to many upon whom the picturesqueness and conservative stability of the Native States exercise a strong attraction.

From India, Old and New by Chirol, Valentine, Sir