Baghelkhand Agency, 1908
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts.Many units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Baghelkhand Agency
A Political Charge in Central India, coinciding practically with the historical area of the same name described above. Of the total area of 14,323 square miles, 13,000 belong to the Rewah State, the remainder being divided between eleven minor holdings — Baraunda, Nagod, Maihar, Sohawal, KothT, Jaso, Paldeo, Pahra, Taraon, Bhaisaunda, and Kamta Rajaula. It is bounded on the north by the Mirzapur, Allahabad, and Banda Districts of the United Provinces ; on the south by the Bilaspur, Mandla, and Jubbulpore Districts of the Central Provinces ; on the west by Jubbulpore District and the Bundhelkhand Agency, and by a part of Mirzapur District ; and on the east by the Tributary States of Chota Nagpur. The population in 1901 was 1,555,024, of whom Hindus numbered 1,203.908, or 77 per cent. ; Animists, 3io,68r, or 20 per cent.; Musalmans, 39,549; and Christians, 165. The density is 109 persons per square mile. The Agency contains six towns: Rewah (population, 24,608), Satna. (7,471), Maihar (6,802), Umaria (5,381), Govindgarh (5,022), and Unchahra (3,785); and 6,556 villages. Satna is the principal trade centre.
Two metalled roads of importance run through the Agency. One is the great Deccan road, which passes through Rewah, and divides at Mangawan, one branch, partially metalled, leading to Allahabad, and the other to Mirzapur. The second road leads from Nowgong and Panna in Bundelkhand to Nagod, Satna, and Rewah. The Agency is traversed by the East Indian Railway from Jubbulpore to Allahabad, the principal stations being at Maihar and Satna, and by the Bengal- Nagpur Railway from Katni to Pendra, with stations at Umaria and Sahdol.
After the disturbances of 1857 a Political officer was attached to the Rewah Darbar, and was at the same time put in charge of the minor holdings of Maihar, Nagod, Sohawal, and KothT. In 1862 this officer was withdrawn at the request of the Rewah Darbar, and these States were placed under the Political Agent in Bundelkhand. In 187 1 the Baghelkhand charge was re-established under a separate officer, with head-quarters at Satna. In 1896 the estates of Baraunda, Jaso, and the five Chaube Jagirs were transferred from Bundelkhand to Bagh- elkhand. Rewah alone is held under treaty, the remaining States and estates being sanad holdings. All transit dues in the Agency have been abolished.
The Political Agent exercises the usual general supervision over the affairs of the States, and in the case of all but Rewah personally deals with crimes of a heinous character. For that portion of the Jhansi- Manikpur section of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway which lies in the estates of Pahra and Taraon, the Political Agent exercises the powers of a District Magistrate and a Court of Sessions. The Agency Surgeon supervises medical arrangements.
The Agency contains the following States and estates :—
