Surat Agency

History

This agency was formed in the 19th century as the Khandesh Agency, after the region of Khandesh, becoming the Surat Agency in 1880. Around 1900 the Dangs were incorporated and in 1933 it was abolished and became part of the Baroda and Gujarat States Agency.

Finally in 1944, towards the end of the British Raj, the Baroda and Gujarat States Agency was merged with the Western India States Agency to form the larger Baroda, Western India and Gujarat States Agency.

The headquarters of the Surat Agency were at Surat, where the Political Agent who reported to the Political Department office in Bombay, used to reside.

States

The agency included three 9-gun salute princely states and the Dangs.

Salute States

  • Sachin
  • Bansda
  • Dharampur

The Dangs

The Dangs were a group of small states in what is now the Dang district of Gujarat State.

State Population (‘000);[4] Revenue (1881, Rs.) Ruler’s title. Notes
Dang Pimpri 3,6 3106 388 km2
Dang Wadhwan 0,253 147 ca. 12 km2. Not to be confused with Wadhwan State whose capital was Wadhwan.
Dang Ketak Kadupada 0,218 155
Dang Amala 5,3 2885; 1891: 5300 Raja. 307 km2
Dang Chinchli 1,67; 1891: ca. 1,4 601 ca. 70 km2
Dang Pimpladevi 0,134 120 ca. 10 km2
Dang Palasbishar (= Palasvihir) 0,223 230 ca. 5 km2
Dang Auchar ca. 500 201 < 21 km2
Dang Derbhauti 4,891; 1891: ca. 5 3649 Raja. 196 km2
Dang Gadhavi (= Gadhi) 6,309 5125 Raja.
Dang Shivbara 0,346 422 ca. 12 km2
Dang Kirli (= Kirali) 0,167 512 31 km2
Dang Wasurna 6,177 2275
Dang Dhude (= Bilbari) 1,45; 1891: 1418 85 < 5 km2
Dang Surgana 14 11469
Machhali 1.1; 4745 35