Asalute statewas aprincely stateunder theBritish Rajthat had been granted agun saluteby theBritish Crown(asparamount ruler); i.e., the protocolary privilege for its ruler to be greeted—originally byRoyal Navyships, later also on land—with a number of cannon shots, in graduations of two salutes from three to 21, as recognition of the state's relative status. The gun-salute system of recognition was first instituted during the time of theEast India Companyin the late 18th century and was continued under direct Crown rule from 1858.

British Empire in the East

As with the other princely states, the salute states varied greatly in size and importance. The states ofHyderabadandJammu and Kashmir,both with a 21-gun salute, were each over 200,000 km2in size, or slightly larger than the whole ofGreat Britain;in 1941, Hyderabad had a population of over 16,000,000, comparable to the population ofRomaniaat the time, while Jammu and Kashmir had a population of slightly over 4 million, comparable to that ofSwitzerland.At the other end of the scale,JanjiraandSachin(11 and 9 guns, respectively, and both ruled by branches of the same dynasty) were respectively 137 km2and 127 km2in size, or slightly larger than the island ofJersey;in 1941, Janjira had a population of nearly 14,000, the smallest of the salute states[1]on the subcontinent.

For varying periods of time, a number of salute states in South Asia (Afghanistan), on the Indian subcontinent (Nepal,Bhutan,Sikkim) or in the Middle East (the Gulf/Trucial Statesand various states in theAden Protectorate) were also under the British Raj asprotectoratesor protected states. As with the Indian principalities, those states received varying numbers of gun salutes and varied tremendously in terms of autonomy. Afghanistan and Nepal were both Britishprotected statesfrom the 19th century until 1921 and 1923, respectively, after which they were sovereign nations in direct relations with the British Foreign Office; while protected states, both enjoyed autonomy in internal affairs, though control of foreign affairs was left to the British. The states under thePersian Gulf Residencyand theAden Protectorate(part of theBombay Presidencyuntil 1937) ranged from Oman, a 21-gun-rated sultanate under a limited protectorate, to the 3-gunTrucial Stateswhich were near-total protectorates.

Following their independence in 1947, the new Indian and Pakistani governments maintained the gun-salute system until 1971 (in India) and 1972 (in Pakistan), when the former ruling families were officially derecognised. The Aden Protectorate was transferred to the control of the British Foreign Office in 1937 and eventually became the independent state ofSouth Yemenin 1967, resulting in the abolition of its salute states the same year. Just prior to Indian independence in 1947, the Persian Gulf Residency was likewise transferred to Foreign Office control, remaining in existence until the Trucial States became fully independent in December 1971, forming theUnited Arab Emirates(UAE) in early 1972.

AMarathaDurbarshowing the Chief (Raja) and the nobles (Sardars,Jagirdars,Istamuradars &Mankaris) of thestate.

Salute states and equivalents

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When the ruler of aprincely statearrived at the Indian capital (originally atCalcutta(Kolkata), then atDelhi), he was greeted with a number of gun-firings. The number of these consecutive "gun salutes" changed from time to time, be increased or reduced depending on the degree of honour which the British chose to accord to a given ruler. The number of gun salutes accorded to a ruler was usually a reflection of the state of his relations with the British and/or his perceived degree of political power; a 21-gun salute was considered the highest. The King (or Queen) of the United Kingdom (who until 1948 was also the Emperor of India) was accorded a 101-gun salute, and 31 guns were used to salute theViceroy of India.

The number of guns in a salute assumed particular importance at the time of holding of the Coronation Durbar in Delhi in the month of December 1911. The Durbar was held to commemorate the Coronation of KingGeorge Vwith guns firing almost all day. At that time there were three Princely States that were given 21 gun salutes. These were:

HH Maharaja Sir Jayaji Rao ScindiaofGwalior State,General SirHenry Daly(Founder of TheDaly College), with British officers andMarathanobility(Sardars,Jagirdars&Mankaris) inIndore,Holkar State,c. 1879.

In 1917, theMaharajaScindiaofGwaliorwas upgraded to a permanent and hereditary 21-gun salute, and the Maharaja ofJammu and Kashmirwas granted the same in 1921. Both were granted the increased ranks as a result of the meritorious services of their soldiers in theFirst World War.

Apart from these, no other Princely State received a 21-gun salute. Three of the most prominent princes, however, enjoyed a local salute of 21 guns within the limits of their own state and 19 guns in the rest of India. They were the Nawab (Begum) ofBhopal,the MaharajaHolkarofIndoreand the Maharana ofUdaipur.

TheNizam,Maharajas, Princes, etc. were all deeply keen on protocol and ensured that it was practised as a matter of faith. Any departure from it was not taken kindly by them. Salute of guns was one such protocol that was strictly followed.

Classifications and sub-classifications of salute states

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At the time of Indian independence and partition in 1947, 118 (113 inIndia,4 inPakistan,plusSikkim) of the roughly 565 princely states were classified as "salute states."

  • The rulers of the five premier states -Hyderabad State,Mysore,Baroda, Jammu & Kashmir, and Gwalior - received 21-gun salutes.[2]
  • The rulers of six others - Bhopal, Indore, Udaipur, Kolhapur, Travancore, and Kalat - received 19-gun salutes, with Bhopal, Indore and Udaipur entitled to a local 21-gun salute.[citation needed]
  • 77 were entitled to gun salutes ranging from 17 to 11 guns, with additional gun-salutes granted on a local or personal basis.
  • The remaining 30 received a salute of nine guns.
  • 88 rulers with gun salutes of 11 guns or above, whether the salute was hereditary or local only, were entitled to the style ofHighness.
  • In 1918, theNizam of Hyderabadwas granted the unique style ofExalted Highness,in recognition of the state's contributions to the Allied war effort during the First World War.[citation needed]
  • In 1948, all rulers of nine-gun salute states were also granted the style ofHighness.

The salute states were broadly divided into two categories: the five premier states with a permanent 21-gun salute and with an individual resident, or envoy, stationed in each, and the remaining 113 states incorporated within political agencies (groups of states) under a political agent. The salutes were themselves organised in a strict hierarchy. Each ruling house of a salute state was entitled to apermanenthereditary salute. In some instances, one of three sub-categories consisting of an increase of 2 gun salutes could be awarded as follows:

  • Personal and local: Hereditary to an individual state's ruler only within its borders, and personally to the ruler outside his state, but honouring his person and not the state when he was outside it. An award of a personal salute was only for the lifetime of the ruler, and was typically made for distinguished wartime or civic service.
  • Personal: Only for the ruler personally, and not to distinguish his state as a whole.
  • Local: Hereditary to an individual state's ruler only within its borders.

As a religious head, theAga Khanreceived a personal 11-gun salute. In certain cases, a ruler of a non-salute state or a junior member of a princely family could merit a personal salute or the personal style ofHighness.

Salutes within the Indian Empire (royals, administrators, and officers, as of 1947)

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Number of guns Recipients
101
(Imperial Salute)
31
(Royal Salute)[note 2]
21
  • Heads of state.
  • Foreign sovereigns and members of their families.[note 3]
19
17[note 4]
  • Governors of the Bombay, Madras and Bengal Presidencies[note 3]
  • Governors of Indian Provinces[note 3]
  • Governors of Colonies[note 3]
  • Governor of French India
  • Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary[note 3]
  • Commander-in-Chief, India (holding the rank of General)[note 4]
  • Admirals, Generals and Air Chief Marshals[note 4]
15
  • Lieutenant-Governors of Indian Provinces[note 3]
  • Lieutenant-Governors of Colonies[note 3]
  • Plenipotentiaries and Envoys[note 3]
  • Ministers Resident[note 3]
  • Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Fleet[note 5]
  • Flag Officer Commanding Royal Indian Navy (rank of Vice-Admiral)[note 6]
  • Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Forces in India (rank of Air Marshal)[note 7]
  • Army Commanders with the rank of Lieutenant-General[note 8]
  • Vice-Admirals, Lieutenant-Generals and Air Marshals
13
  • Chief Commissioners of Indian Provinces
  • Residents (1st Class)[note 3]
  • Residents (2nd Class)
  • Flag Officer Commanding Royal Indian Navy (rank of Rear-Admiral)[note 6]
  • Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Forces in India (rank of Air Vice-Marshal)[note 7]
  • Major Generals commanding Districts[note 8]
  • Rear-Admirals, Major-Generals and Air Vice-Marshals
11
  • Political Agents
  • Consuls-General
  • Charges d'Affaires
  • Resident Advisor at Makallah (local only)
  • Brigade Commanders (including Major-Generals if commanding a Brigade)[note 8]
  • Commodores, Brigadiers and Air Commodores
9
  • Governor of Daman; Governor of Diu (Portuguese India)

[3]

Salute states that acceded to India

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At independence in 1947, the gun salutes enjoyed by the 112 states that acceded to the Union of India were as follows:

Serial No. Hereditary salute No. of guns Personal or local salute No. of guns Title of Ruler Name of state Clan of Ruler Present Location
1. 21 TheMaharaja Gaekwadof Baroda Maratha,Gaekwad Gujarat
2. 21 TheMaharaja of Mysore Kannadiga,Wadiyar Karnataka
3. 21 TheMaharaja Scindiaof Gwalior Maratha,Scindia Madhya Pradesh
4. 21 TheMaharaja of Jammu and Kashmir Rajput,Dogra Jammu and Kashmir
5. 21 TheNizamof Hyderabad Turkic,Asaf Jahi Telangana,Karnataka,andMaharashtra
6. 19 21 (local) TheNawab of Bhopal Pashtun,Afghan Madhya Pradesh
7. 19 21 (local) TheMaharaja Holkarof Indore Maratha,Holkar Madhya Pradesh
8. 19 21 (local) TheMaharana of Udaipur (Mewar) Rajput,Sisodia Rajasthan
9. 19 21(local) TheMaharaja Chhatrapati of Kolhapur Maratha,Bhonsle Maharashtra
10. 19 21 (local) TheMaharaja of Travancore Nair,Samantan Nair[4] Kerala
11. 17 TheMaharaoof Kotah Rajput,Chauhan,Hada Rajasthan
12. 17 19 (local) TheMaharaja of Bharatpur Jat,Sinsinwar Rajasthan
13. 17 19 (local) TheMaharaja of Bikaner Rajput,Rathore Rajasthan
14. 17 19 (local) TheMaharao of Cutch Rajput,Jadeja Gujarat
15. 17 19 (local) TheMaharajaSawaiof Jaipur Rajput,Kachwaha Rajasthan
16. 17 19 (local) TheMaharaja of Jodhpur Rajput,Rathore Rajasthan
17. 17 The Maharaja of Pudukkottai Thondaiman Tamil Nadu
18. 17 19 (local) TheMaharaja of Patiala Jat Sikh,Sidhu,Phulkian Misl Punjab
19. 17 The Maharao Raja of Bundi Rajput,Chauhan,Hada Rajasthan
20 17 TheMaharaja of Cochin Kshatriya,Chandravamsha Kerala
20. 17 The Maharaja of Karauli RajputJadaun Rajasthan
22. 17 TheNawab of Tonk Pathan Rajasthan
23. 15 17 (personal) The Maharaj Rana of Dholpur JatBamraolia Rajasthan
15. 15 - The Maharaja of Rewa RajputBaghel Madhya Pradesh
24. 15 17 (local) TheMaharaja of Alwar Rajput,Kachwaha Rajasthan
25. 15 The Maharawal of Banswara Rajput,Sisodia Rajasthan
26. 15 The Maharaja of Datia Rajput,Bundela Madhya Pradesh
27. 15 The Maharaja of Dewas Senior Maratha,Puar Madhya Pradesh
28. 15 The Maharaja of Dewas Junior Maratha,Puar Madhya Pradesh
29. 15 The Maharaja of Dhar Maratha,Puar Madhya Pradesh
30. 15 The Maharawal of Dungarpur RajputGuhilot Rajasthan
31 15 The Maharaja of Idar RajputRathore Gujarat
32 15 The Maharawal of Jaisalmer Rajput,Bhati Rajasthan
33 15 The Maharaja of Kishangarh Rajput,Rathore Rajasthan
34 15 The Maharaja of Orchha Rajput,Bundela Madhya Pradesh
35 15 The Maharawat of Pratapgarh Rajput,Sisodia Rajasthan
36 15 The Nawab of Rampur RohillaSayyid Uttar Pradesh
37 15 The Maharaol of Sirohi Rajput,Chauhan, Devda Rajasthan
38 13 15 (local) The Maharaja of Benares BrahminBhumiharGoutam Uttar Pradesh
39 13 15 (local) The Maharaja of Bhavnagar Rajput,Gohil Gujarat
40 13 15 (personal and local) The Maharaja of Jind Sikh Jat,Sidhu,Phulkian Misl Haryana
41 13 15 (personal and local) TheNawabof Junagadh Babi Gujarat
42 13 15 (personal and local) The Maharaja of Kapurthala Ahluwalia(aSikhmisl) Punjab
43 13 15 (local) The Raja of Nabha Jat Sikh,Sidhu,Phulkian Misl Punjab
44 13 15 (local) The Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar Rajput,Jadeja Gujarat
45 13 15 (local) The Maharaja of Ratlam Rajput,Rathore Madhya Pradesh
46 13 The Maharaja of Cooch Behar Rajput,Rajvanshi West Bengal
47 13 The Maharaja Raj Sahib of Dhrangadhra Rajput,Jhala Gujarat
48 13 TheNawabof Jaora Pathan Madhya Pradesh
49 13 The Maharaj Rana of Jhalawar Rajput,Jhala Rajasthan
50 13 The Nawab of Palanpur Afghan Gujarat
51 13 The MaharajaRanaSahib of Porbandar Rajput,Jethwa Gujarat
52 13 The Maharana of Rajpipla Rajput,Gohil Gujarat
53 13 TheMaharajaof Tripura Manikya Tripura
54 11 13 (local) TheNawabof Janjira Siddi Maharashtra
55 11 The Maharaja of Ajaigarh Rajput,Bundela Madhya Pradesh
56 11 TheMaharanaRajaof Alirajpur Rajput,Sisodia Madhya Pradesh
57 11 The Nawab of Baoni Asaf Jahi Madhya Pradesh
58 11 The Rana of Barwani Rajput,Sisodia Madhya Pradesh
59 11 The Sawai Maharaja of Bijawar Rajput,Bundela Madhya Pradesh
60 11 TheNawabof Cambay Najm i Sani Gujarat
61 11 TheRajaof Chamba Rajput Himachal Pradesh
62 11 The Maharaja of Charkhari Rajput,Bundela Madhya Pradesh
63 11 The Maharaja of Chhatarpur Rajput,Parmar Madhya Pradesh
64 11 TheRajaof Faridkot Sikh Jat,Brar Punjab
65 11 TheMaharajaof Gondal Rajput,Jadeja Gujarat
66 11 TheRajaof Bilaspur Rajput Himachal Pradesh
67 11 The Raja of Jhabua RajputRathore Madhya Pradesh
68 11 TheNawabof Maler Kotla Afghan Punjab
69 11 TheRajaof Mandi RajputChandravanshi Himachal Pradesh
70 11 The Maharaja of Manipur Meitei people Manipur
71 11 TheMaharajaof Morvi RajputJadeja Gujarat
72 11 TheRajaof Narsinghgarh Rajput Umat Madhya Pradesh
73 11 The Maharaja of Panna RajputBundela Madhya Pradesh
74 11 - The Nawab of Radhanpur Irani Gujarat
75 11 TheRajaof Rajgarh Hindu, Rajput Madhya Pradesh
76 11 TheRajaof Raigarh RajputRaghuvanshi Himachal Pradesh
77 11 - TheRajaof Sailana RajputRathore Madhya Pradesh
78 11 TheMaharajaof Samthar GurjarKhatana Uttar Pradesh
79 11 The Maharaja of Sirmur Rajput,Bhati Himachal Pradesh
80 11 TheRajaof Sitamau RajputRathore Madhya Pradesh
81 11 TheRajaof Suket RajputChandravanshi Himachal Pradesh
82 11 The Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal Rajput,Parmar Uttarakhand
83 11 TheMaharanaRaj Sahib of Wankaner Rajput,Jhala Gujarat
84 9 11 (personal) TheRajaof Baria Rajput,Chauhan Gujarat
85 9 11 (personal) TheRajaof Dharampur Rajput,Sisodia Gujarat
86 9 11 (personal) TheRajaof Sangli Maratha,Brahminadministrators (Patwardhan) Maharashtra
87 9 11 (local) The Raja of Sawantwadi Maratha,Bhonsle Maharashtra
88 9 The Thakur Sahib of Wadhwan RajputJhala Gujarat
89 9 The Nawab Babi of Balasinor Babi Gujarat
90 9 The Nawab of Banganapalle Najm i Sani Andhra Pradesh
91 9 The Maharawal of Bansda RajputSolanki Gujarat
92 9 The Raja of Baraundha Rajput Bargurjar Madhya Pradesh
93 9 The Raja of Bhor Maratha,Brahmin Maharashtra
94 9 The Raja of Chhota Udaipur Rajput,Chauhan Gujarat
95 9 The Maharana of Danta Rajput,Parmar Gujarat
96 9 The Thakore Sahib of Dhrol Rajput,Jadeja Gujarat
97 9 The Maharaja of Jawhar Maratha,Mahadeo Koli(Mukne) Maharashtra
98 9 The Maharaja of Kalahandi (Karond) Nagavanshi Odisha
99 9 The Rao of Khilchipur Rajput,Chauhan,(Khinchi) Madhya Pradesh
100 9 The Thakore Sahib of Limbdi Rajput,Jhala Gujarat
101 9 The Nawab of Loharu (Muslim) Haryana
102 9 TheMaharanaof Lunavada Rajput,Solanki Gujarat
103 9 The Raja of Maihar Rajput,Kachwaha Madhya Pradesh
104 9 The Maharaja of Mayurbhanj Bhanja Odisha
105 9 The Raja of Mudhol Maratha,Ghorpade Karnataka
106 9 The Raja of Nagod Rajput,Parihar Madhya Pradesh
107 9 TheThakoreSahib of Palitana Rajput,Gohil Gujarat
108 9 The Maharaja of Patna Rajput,Chauhan Odisha
109 9 TheThakore Sahibof Rajkot Rajput,Jadeja Gujarat
110 9 TheNawabof Sachin Siddi Gujarat
111 9 11 (local) TheMaharanaof Sant Rajput,Parmar Gujarat
112 9 The Rajadhiraj of Shahpura Rajput,Sisodia Rajasthan

The system of gun salutes continued in the Republic of India until 1971.[citation needed]

Although salutes with many more guns have been used for Western Monarchs (and dynastic and other associated occasions), the21-gun salutehas in modern times become customary for Sovereign Monarchs (hence also known as 'royal salute') and republic.[citation needed]

Some of the rulers not listed above were granted increased gun salutes after the independence, e.g. theMaharanaofMewar(atUdaipur,MaharajpramukhinRajasthan) was raised to first place in the Order of Precedence, displacing the Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar, and all 9-gun states were permitted the use of the style of Highness. However, it has not been possible to obtain complete details for all the rulers.[citation needed]

This system continued till 1971 when privileges andPrivy Pursesof ex-rulers were abolished by the Government of India.[citation needed]

Salute states that acceded to Pakistan

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Between August 1947 and March 1948, thirteen Muslim princely states in western Indiaaccededto the newDominion of Pakistan,created fromBritish Indiaby theIndian Independence Act 1947,thus becoming thePrincely states of Pakistan.Between 1955 and 1974, they were all amalgamated into larger federations and provinces. All of the princely states were in the western part of the country, so all were merged into the eventualWest Pakistan,which constitutes (since the breakaway ofBangla Desh) the present-day Republic of Pakistan.[citation needed]

The states retained internal autonomy so long as they existed, but all had lost this by 1974. The styles and titles enjoyed by the former ruling families ceased to be officially recognised by the Government of Pakistan, mostly in January 1972, with the exception of the small states ofHunzaandNagar,which were shortly after incorporated into theNorthern Areas of Pakistanin October 1974.[citation needed]

Four salute states acceded to Pakistan between 3 October 1947 and 27 March 1948. In order of precedence, they were as follows:

Serial No. Hereditary salute No. of guns Personal or local salute No. of guns Title of Ruler Name of state Clan of Ruler Present Location
1. 19 TheKhanof Kalat Muslim Balochi Balochistan
2. 17 TheNawabof Bahawalpur Muslim Abbasi Punjab
3. 15 17 (local) TheMirof Khairpur Muslim Balochi Sindh
4. 11 TheMehtarof Chitral MuslimKatoor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Afterseveral promotions and two further post-colonial awardingunder the republic – which India did not do – the gun salutes enjoyed by the states in Pakistan were as follows in 1966:

Salute states in Burma

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Protectorates and protected states under the Indian Empire

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The following list of gun salutes is as they stood in 1947.

South Asia

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Hereditary salute No. of guns Personal or local salute No. of guns Title of Ruler Name of state Clan of Ruler Present Location
21 The King of[note 9] Afghanistan Barakzai Afghanistan

In 1890,Abdur Rahman Khan,the Emir of Afghanistan, accepted for his kingdom the status of a British protected state under the British Raj, retaining internal autonomy while placing the state's foreign affairs under British control. In 1905, his son and successor,Habibullah Khan,negotiated the Anglo-Afghan Treaty with the British, by which Afghanistan wasde jurestyled as a sovereign monarchy and the ruler recognised as King of Afghanistan (Shah-e-Afghanistan) with the style ofHis Majesty,while remaining a protected state of Britain. In May 1919, King Habibullah's successor, King Amanullah, declared the country a wholly sovereign kingdom, which resulted in theThird Anglo-Afghan War.Despite a British victory, the British recognised the total sovereignty of Afghanistan in the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of Kabul in 1921; thereafter, Afghanistan continued to exist as a sovereign monarchy until the fall of the monarchy in 1973.

Hereditary salute No. of guns Personal or local salute No. of guns Title of Ruler Name of state Clan of Ruler Present Location
31 51 The Maharajadhiraja of[note 10] Nepal Shah dynasty Nepal
21[3][7][note 11] 31 The Shree Teen Maharajah of[note 12] Lamjang and Kaski Rana dynasty Nepal

TheAnglo-Nepalese Warof 1816, which led to the defeat of the Gorkha Shah monarchy of Nepal, resulted in the kingdom becoming ade jureprotectorate, but ade factoprotected state of theEast India Company.Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the dissolution of the East India Company in 1858, the protectorate was transferred to the British crown through the British Raj, which recognised the monarch as "King of Nepal" with the style ofHis Majestyin 1919 and theRanaMaharajawas styled asHis Highness,due to the country's contributions to the Allied cause in the First World War. In 1923, the British government ended its protectorate and recognised Nepal as a wholly sovereign monarchy.[3]While the semi-sovereign Rana oligarchy held power as hereditaryShree Teen Maharajasof Nepal until its deposition in 1951, the Nepalese monarchy continued until its abolition in 2008.

Hereditary salute No. of guns Personal or local salute No. of guns Title of Ruler Name of state Clan of Ruler Present Location
15[8][note 13] The MaharajaDruk Gyalpoof[note 14] Bhutan Wangchuck Bhutan

A brief war between Bhutan and the British Raj in 1864 resulted in theTreaty of Sinchula,which forced Bhutan to relinquish territory and defined its relationship with the British. A loose agglomeration of semi-independent districts until 1907, Bhutan was unified in that year as a hereditary monarchy represented byUgyen Wangchuck,thepenlop(or governor) of the district of Tongsa, who was proclaimed theMaharajaandDruk Gyalpo(Dragon King) of Bhutan. In 1910, Bhutan signed theTreaty of Punakha,under which the British Raj guaranteed Bhutan's internal sovereignty, but, as with Sikkim, maintained control over its foreign relations. A British residency was officially installed in Bhutan, with a resident deputed from the Indian Political Service and answerable to the British government in India. The treaty, which established Bhutanese sovereignty, albeit as a protected state, remained in force until Indian independence in 1947; at this time, Bhutan was offered the options of remaining independent or acceding to the new Indian Union. Choosing to maintain its independence, Bhutan formally established relations with India in 1949, signing the India-Bhutan Treaty of Friendship on 8 August 1949; while reaffirming Bhutanese sovereignty, the new treaty gave India control over Bhutan's foreign policy. In 1963, however, Bhutan promulgated a new constitution which replaced the title ofHis Highness the MaharajawithHis Majesty the Druk Gyalpo,formally promoting the country to the status of an independent, sovereign monarchy. In 1971, Bhutan joined theUnited Nationsas a full member, and renegotiated the 1949 treaty with India in 2007, legally ending Bhutan's status as a protected state of India.

Hereditary salute No. of guns Personal or local salute No. of guns Title of Ruler Name of state Clan of Ruler Present Location
15[note 15] The Maharaja (Chogyal) of[note 15] Sikkim Tipihar Sikkim

Though officially considered a princely state under its ruler, the Maharaja Chogyal, Sikkim was given the separate status of a British protectorate in 1861 under theTreaty of Tumlong,by which the British government could intervene in the state's internal affairs and oversee all external matters; despite this, Sikkim maintained a high degree of autonomy in practice. In 1947, the Maharaja Chogyal and his people decided against accession to India and chose to maintain Sikkim's internal sovereignty. The state formally became a protectorate of India in 1950. Following the death of the Maharaja Chogyal in 1963 and his succession by his unpopular son,Palden Thondup Namgyal,popular demands for increased individual rights grew more frequent. After Sikkim's first free general elections in 1974, the Indian Army placed the Chogyal under house arrest. Under military supervision, a controversial referendum was held in 1975, which approved the state's merger with India and the abolition of the monarchy. Sikkim was formally merged into India as its 22nd state on 26 April 1975.

Middle East and Persian Gulf

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The following were constituent states of theAden Protectoratefrom the late 19th century until their independence and merger withSouth Yemenin 1967 when the states were abolished. The protectorate was under the British Raj and governed as part of theBombay Presidencyuntil 1917 when the protectorate was transferred to the control of the British Foreign Office.

Hereditary salute No. of guns Personal or local salute No. of guns Title of Ruler Name of state Clan of Ruler Present Location
9 11 (local)[7] The Sultan of[note 16] Lahej Al-Abdali Yemen
9 11 (local)[7] The Sultan of[note 17] Shihir and Makalla Al-Qu'aiti
9[7] - The Sultan of[note 17] Qishn and Soqotra Al-Mahri
9[7] - The Sultan of[note 16] Fadhli Al-Fadhli
- 9 (local)[7] The Emir of[note 16] Dhala Al-Amiri
- 9 (local)[7] The Sultan of[note 16] Lower Yafa Al-Afifi

The Persian Gulf Residency was established in 1822 during the time of the East India Company, though the company had established a residency at Bushehr in 1763. It was made subordinate to theGovernor of Bombayuntil 1873. As with the rest of British India, it came under the control of the British Crown in 1858. In 1873, the residency came under the direct control of the British Raj and the India Office. In 1892, it officially assumed a protectorate status over the states of Muscat and Oman, Bahrain and the Trucial States, followed by Kuwait in 1914 and Qatar in 1916. In 1920, theTreaty of Seebrecognised thede jureindependence of Oman. The residency was transferred to the charge of the British Foreign Office from the India Office in 1947, shortly before Indian independence. In 1961, Kuwait became the first of the Gulf States to terminate its protectorate and become fully independent, with Muscat and Oman being recognised by Britain as an independent, protected state the following year. With the increasing costs of maintaining an overseas presence, Britain announced in January 1968 that it would end its protectorate over the remaining Gulf states in 1971. The protectorates were finally terminated in December 1971; Muscat and Oman became the modern sultanate ofOmanthat year, and the erstwhile Trucial States became the United Arab Emirates in 1972.

Hereditary salute No. of guns Personal or local salute No. of guns Title of Ruler Name of state Clan of Ruler Present Location
21[7][3][note 18] - The Sultan of[note 19] Mascat and Oman Al-Said Oman
- 7 (local, 11 personal)[7][9][10][note 20] The Sheikh (Ruler) of[note 21] Kuwait Al-Sabah Kuwait
- 7 (local, 11 personal)[7][9][10][note 22] The Sheikh (Ruler) of[10][note 23] Bahrain Al-Khalifa Bahrain
- 7 (local)[7][10][9][note 24] The Sheikh (Ruler) of[note 25] Qatar Al-Thani Qatar
- 3 (local, 5 personal)[7][10] The Sheikh (Ruler) of[note 26] Abu Dhabi Al-Nahyan UAE
- 3 (local, 5 personal)[7][11] The Sheikh (Ruler) of[note 27] Sharjah Al-Qasimi
- 5 (local)[7][9][note 28] The Sheikh (Ruler) of[note 27] Dubai Al-Maktoum
- 3 (local)[7] The Sheikh (Ruler) of[note 27] Ajman Al-Nuaimi
- 3 (local)[7] The Sheikh (Ruler) of[note 27] Ras al-Khaimah Al-Qasimi
- 3 (local)[7] The Sheikh (Ruler) of Kalba[note 29] Al-Qasimi
- 3 (local)[7] The Sheikh (Ruler) of[note 27] Umm al-Qaiwain Al-Mu'alla

Personal salute dynasties on the Indian subcontinent

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Rulers of princely states (in 1947)

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Religious leaders

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  • 11 guns: theAga Khan(religious leader of theNizari Ismailibranch of Islam); only salute not attached to any territorial principality).

Political pensioners under the British Raj

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Zamindars in French India

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States within the British sphere of influence (as of 1947)

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Sovereign foreign rulers

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  • 19 guns: TheDalai lamaofTibet,ade factosovereign theocraticBuddhistnation before annexation by the People's Republic of China[7]
  • 21 guns: The King ofMosquito Coast(aNative South Americankingdom in present Nicaragua; styled His Majesty, most unusual as HM is normally reserved for theParamount Rulerand his or her independent peers; under British protectorate since 1688, formalised in 1749 with appointment of a resident Superintendent; Britain relinquished control in 1783–87; Nicaraguan sovereignty was recognised in 1860 under theTreaty of Managua,hence the king was effectively demoted to the rank of a mere "chief", in 1894 militarily driven into exile to Jamaica)
  • 9 guns: TheKabakaofBuganda(aGandakingdom in Western Uganda, status granted after 1912, subsequently made permanent in 1939)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^Only if present in person (in 1911, at that year's Coronation Durbar in Delhi).
  2. ^Also on the occasions of the Sovereign's Birthday, the Accession and Coronation Anniversaries, when an Imperial Proclamation was delivered and for the Birthday of a Empress (as Royal Consort). There were two periods when two Empresses of India were living: from 1910 to 1925 (EmpressMary of Teckand Empress DowagerAlexandra of Denmark,who died in 1925), and from 1936 until Indian independence in 1947 (former Empress DowagerMary of Teckdied in 1953).
  3. ^abcdefghijklmnOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony.
  4. ^abcdeOn assuming or relinquishing office, or on a public arrival or departure from a military station and on formal ceremonial occasions. Also for a private arrival or departure from a military station (optional, if desired).
  5. ^As a vice-admiral, with two guns added.
  6. ^abFrom the shore battery, on public arrival for the first time at an Indian port.
  7. ^abOn assuming or relinquishing office.Provided the AOC-in-C is the most senior military officer in the area,on a public arrival or departure from a military station and on formal ceremonial occasions; also for a private arrival or departure from a military station (optional, if desired), if seniority condition fulfilled.
  8. ^abcOn assuming or relinquishing office, or on a public arrival or departure from a military station and on formal ceremonial occasions. Also for a private arrival or departure from a military station (optional, if desired). Only if the senior officer present and in actual command.
  9. ^Styled asHis Highness The Emir of Afghanistanuntil 1905, when the emirate was recognised as a kingdom, with full sovereignty in 1921. The monarchy was deposed in 1973.
  10. ^Styled asHis Majesty the Maharajadhiraja of Nepaluntil 1919, when Nepal was recognised as a sovereign kingdom. The monarchy was abolished in 2008.
  11. ^Permanent, but only in the Maharaja's capacity asPrime Minister of Nepal,when representing the Nepalese monarch outside the country.
  12. ^Semi-sovereign status; until 1951, when the dynasty was deposed and the monarchy abolished.
  13. ^15 guns (personal) by the British government in December 1903; made permanent in June 1911. Promoted to a permanent salute of 19 guns in June 1955 by the Government of India; raised to 21 guns in 1963.
  14. ^Until 1963, when Bhutan declared itself a sovereign kingdom and converted the style toH.M. the Druk Gyalpo
  15. ^abUntil 1975, when the monarchy was abolished.
  16. ^abcdJoined theFederation of South Arabiain 1962. Maintained its status until 1967, when the protectorate and state were abolished and merged withSouth Yemen.
  17. ^abJoined theProtectorate of South Arabiain 1963. Maintained its status until 1967, when the protectorate and state were abolished and merged withSouth Yemen.
  18. ^Considered ade jureforeign monarch.
  19. ^With the style ofHighnessuntil 1971, when the country attained full independence from Britain and the style of the monarch was raised toMajesty.
  20. ^5 guns (local, 11 personal) from 1914, raised to 7 guns (local) in 1923.
  21. ^Granted the style ofExcellencyby the British government in 1914, raised toHighnessfrom 1933. Assumed the title ofEmirin 1961 upon attaining full independence from Britain.
  22. ^5 guns (local) and 11 guns (personal) from 1914, raised to 7 guns (local) in 1923.
  23. ^Granted the personal style ofExcellencyby the British government from 1914; raised toHighnessfrom 1933. Assumed the title ofEmirin 1971 upon full independence from Britain; maintained style until 2002, when the nation was declared a kingdom and the style of the monarch was raised toMajestywith the title ofKing of Bahrain.
  24. ^Awarded in 1923.
  25. ^With the style ofExcellencyuntil 1971, when the country attained full independence from Britain and the style of the monarch was raised toHis Highness the Emirfrom the same time.
  26. ^With the style ofExcellencyuntil 1971, when the country attained full independence from Britain and the style of the monarch was raised toHis Highness the Emirfrom the same time.
  27. ^abcdeUntil 1971, when the country attained full independence from Britain and the style of the monarch was raised toHis Highness the Emirfrom the same time.
  28. ^Awarded in 1929.
  29. ^Ruled by a branch of the Sharjah royal family as a Trucial State from 1936 until 1952, when it was reincorporated into Sharjah.

References

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  1. ^The India Office and Burma Office List: 1945.Harrison & Sons, Ltd. 1945. pp. 33–37.
  2. ^"King of all rewinds".
  3. ^abcdThe India Office and Burma Office List: 1947.Harrison & Sons, Ltd. 1947. pp. 44–45.
  4. ^Robin Jaffery, The Decline of Nair Dominance
  5. ^abcdThe India Office and Burma Office List: 1945.Harrison & Sons, Ltd. 1945. p. 53.
  6. ^Yawnghwe (Shan State) (9 Gun Salute)
  7. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrsAlqabnamah: List Showing the Names, Titles and Modes of Address of the More Important Sovereigns, Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles etc., Having Relations with the Indian Government.Government of India Press. 1935.
  8. ^"The Gazette of India"(PDF).pib.nic.in/archive.Retrieved5 February2017.
  9. ^abcdpg 73. "Qatar: A Modern History."Fromherz, Allen James.Georgetown University Press, Washington, 2012
  10. ^abcdeThe Indian Year Book 1924.Bennett, Coleman & Co., Ltd. 1924. p. 479.
  11. ^The Half-yearly List Of The Indian Political Service.Government of India. 1942. p. 142.
  12. ^VIZIANAGRAM (Zamindari)Archived30 May 2009 at theWayback Machine