Talk:Agencies of British India

"Administrative unit"?

I have been asking for subject matter help in various other articles that talk about governmental organization during this period. None of articles really explain what the role of the "agent" was, what powers were exercised and how the agencies related (if at all to the presidencies/provinces). There also seem to be at least two different models of agencies represented by the differences between Bhopal and Gilgit.Vontrotta (talk) 16:38, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

"Agencies of British India" is an oxymoron: British India is a phrase to be used with caution, and not just as a synonym for the British Empire in India.

India, pre-1947, comprised British India, organised into Provinces, and "Indian" India, which was theoretically independent. This India was organised into about 565 Princely States. The Agents (PA) were the men who told the rulers just how independent they were allowed to be. Some, like Hyderabad and Kashmir, were large enough to stay autonomous, but other "States" were more like Estates.

Agents generally specialised in one of 3 areas: States (mainstream), Frontier (NWFP & Baluchistan: for the braver element) or External (for those who went to India but maybe wished they had not: the British administered the Middle East from India until after WW1). They were more diplomats and advisors than administrators.

You are right: Gilgit was a Frontier (NWFP) Agency, but Bhopal was a Salute (important) State. In thos case the Agent was called a Resident and he was the British Ambassador to Bhopal, or Counsellor in the Mafia sense: wouldn′t it be a good idea if...

Finally, an Agent and an Agency do not always go together.Protozoon (talk) 04:23, 9 June 2017 (UTC)

Quetta agency

According to Bolan Pass, there was also a Quetta Agency which is not listed in Agencies of British India. --71.111.194.50 (talk) 13:55, 5 December 2009 (UTC)

Your point is valid, but - by definition - NO Agency was part of British India. If they were, they would be called: Province or Division or District. The Political Agent, Quetta answered to the Chief Commissioner (a grade-2 Governor) of the Province of British Baluchistan, co-located in Quetta. As did the PA, Zhob.Protozoon (talk) 03:32, 9 June 2017 (UTC)