In order to facilitate the relations with the native States, to watch over the course of affairs within their territories, and he in a position to exert a needful influence, the British appoint po litical agents to the various States. With rare exceptions, the agent resides within the territory to which he is accredited. The agents to the principal States are under the immediate juris diction of the Imperial Government. The gen eral condition of affairs in the native States compares unfavorably with that prevailing in regions under British administration. The Brit ish claim that the burden of taxation upon the masses falls heavier in the States than in the provinces. At the same time the public is bene fited much less, for the expenditure is largely for the unnecessary wants of the ruler and his coterie of adherents, while roads, irrigation, schools, and ether public needs are sadly neg lected. Freedom of the press is not tolerated. It is claimed that communities which have been transferred from native to provincial administra tion have invariably protested against being transferred back under a native administration.
Laws are made or revoked as it suits the whim of the ruler. Mysore. the most progressive of the Slates, has a so-called 'representative assem bly,' hut its members have no vote in making the laws or appropriations. Rural boards have also been established in this State, hut they have no money at their disposal. Consult the authori ties referred to under INDIA, paragraphs His tory and Gorernment ; and for a more detailed statement concerning the different States, see the articles under their respective titles.
BIBLIOGRAPHY% llougselet, India and Its :Va• Bibliography% llougselet, India and Its :Va• tire Princes (London, 1S96);'hose, The Modern History of the Indian Chiefs, Rajas, and Za taindars ( London. 1883) ; Tupper. Our Indian Protectorate (London, 1893) : Griffith, India's Princes (London, 1894) ; Chakrabarti, The Native Pates of India (Calcutta, 1895) ; Mehta, The Hind Rajasthan (Calcutta. 1896).