The Harcourt Butler Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Harcourt Butler was appointed in 1927 to investigate and clarify the relationship between the paramount power of the British Raj in India, and the rulers of Princely States.
The two other members were, William Searle Holdsworth and Sidney Peel.
The question of sovereignty and paramountcy was undefined at the time.
There was a growing call among the princely states to clarify the term paramountcy.
Guidelines were given for its application, and it was made clear that the financial relationship between the Raj and the States should be fair.