Pre-independence[edit]

The Indian subcontinent has been ruled by many different ethnic groups throughou
t its history, each instituting their own policies of administrative division in
the region.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] During the British Raj, the origina
l administrative structure was mostly kept, and India was divided into provinces
(also called Presidencies) that were directly governed by the British and princ
ely states which were nominally controlled by a local prince or raja loyal to th
e British Empire, which held de facto sovereignty (suzerainty) over the princely
states.Pre-independence[edit]
The Indian subcontinent has been ruled by many different ethnic groups throughou
t its history, each instituting their own policies of administrative division in
the region.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] During the British Raj, the origina
l administrative structure was mostly kept, and India was divided into provinces
(also called Presidencies) that were directly governed by the British and princ
ely states which were nominally controlled by a local prince or raja loyal to th
e British Empire, which held de facto sovereignty (suzerainty) over the princely
states.