1877–1947 → Balochistan Made Separate British Colony (British Balochistan) 1947 | Signature of the Treaty of Mastung by the Khan of Kalat and the Baloch Sardars 1877 | |
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The Baluchistan Agency (or Balochistan or Baloochistan or British Balochistan) was one of the colonial agencies of British India. It was located in the present-day Pakistani Balochistan province.
Contents
Geography
The territories of the agency covered an area of 208,262 km2 (44,345 square miles) and included areas which had been acquired by lease or otherwise brought under direct British control, as well as the princely states.
History
This political agency was established in 1877, following the 1876 treaty signed in Mastung by Baloch leaders by means of which they accepted the mediation of the British authorities in their disputes.
Colonel Sir Robert Groves Sandeman introduced an innovative system of tribal pacification in Balochistan that was in effect from 1877 to 1947. However the Government of India generally opposed his Methods and refused to allow it to operate in India's North West Frontier. Historians have long debated its scope and effectiveness in the peaceful spread of Imperial influence.
Princely states
The Baluchistan Agency consisted of three princely states:
The Government of India maintained its relations with the states through its political agent in Kalat. The first agent in Balochistan was Robert Groves Sandeman (1835-1892), Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India, who was appointed by Lord Lytton, the Viceroy of India.