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This book is an academic work on the historical development of Indian princely states. An Indian princely state refers to an independent kingdom in India that recognizes the British East India Company and the British King's supreme suzerainty, enjoys complete or partial sovereignty in internal affairs, and is subject to strict restrictions in diplomacy. The author traces the early history of the major Indian princes, taking the British rule of the South Asian subcontinent as the main line, and explains the process by which the British East India Company set foot in the South Asian subcontinent, conquered various kingdoms, and finally established the supreme rule of the Indian princes; analyzes the relationship between the British government and the princes after taking over the rule of the South Asian subcontinent; shows the help that most princes gave to the British government in the two world wars; interprets the constitutional reforms of the Indian princes; and describes the princes' choices when the British withdrew from India. The publication of this book provides valuable reference for the study of Indian princely states.