native states

plural noun

1. the 560 former semidependent states and agencies in India and Pakistan: all except Kashmir were incorporated into the republics of India and Pakistan (1947–49).

pl n

1. the former 562 semi-independent states of India, ruled by Indians but subject to varying degrees of British authority: merged with provinces by 1948; largest states were Hyderabad, Gwalior, Baroda, Mysore, Cochin, Jammu and Kashmir, Travancore, Sikkim, and IndoreAlso called: Indian States and Agencies

pl n

1. another name for the Native States