British suzerainty over the states was exercised through the government of the Bengal Presidency.

[2] In the 18th century, the states came within the sphere of influence of the Maratha Empire, but they became tributary states of British India as a result of the Anglo-Maratha Wars in the early 19th century.

In October 1905, the exercise of British influence over the predominantly Hindi-speaking states of Chang Bhakar, Jashpur, Koriya, Surguja, and Udaipur was transferred from the Bengal government to that of the Central Provinces, while the two Oriya-speaking state Gangpur and Bonai were attached to the Orissa Tributary States, leaving only Kharsawan and Saraikela answerable to the Bengal governor.

After Indian independence in 1947, the rulers of these minor princely states all chose to accede to the Dominion of India.

[4] In November 2000, the new states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand were separated from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, respectively.