A salute state was a princely state under the British Raj that had been granted a gun salute by the British Crown (as paramount ruler); i.e., the protocolary privilege for its ruler to be greeted—originally by Royal Navy ships, 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 the East India Company in the late 18th century and was continued under direct Crown rule from 1858.
As with the other princely states, the salute states varied greatly in size and importance. The states of Hyderabad and Jammu and Kashmir, both with a 21-gun salute, were each over in size, or slightly larger than the whole of Great Britain; in 1941, Hyderabad had a population of over 16,000,000, comparable to the population of Romania at the time, while Jammu and Kashmir had a population of slightly over 4 million, comparable to that of Switzerland. At the other end of the scale, Janjira and Sachin (11 and 9 guns, respectively, and both ruled by branches of the same dynasty) were respectively in size, or slightly larger than the island of Jersey; in 1941, Janjira had a population of nearly 14,000, the smallest of the salute states 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 States and various states in the Aden Protectorate) were also under the British Raj as protectorates or 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 British protected states from 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 the Persian Gulf Residency and the Aden Protectorate (part of the Bombay Presidency until 1937) ranged from Oman, a 21-gun-rated sultanate under a limited protectorate, to the 3-gun Trucial States which 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 of South Yemen in 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 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in early 1972.
Salute states and equivalents When the ruler of a princely state arrived at the Indian capital (originally at Calcutta (Kolkata), then at Delhi), 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 the Viceroy 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 King George V with guns firing almost all day. At that time rulers of three princely states were given 21-gun salutes. These were:
The Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda State The Maharaja of Mysore The Nizam of Hyderabad
In 1917, the Maharaja Scindia of Gwalior was upgraded to a permanent and hereditary 21-gun salute, and the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir was granted the same in 1921. Both were granted the increased ranks as a result of the meritorious services of their soldiers in the First World War.
Apart from these five, 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) of Bhopal, the Maharaja Holkar of Indore and the Maharana of Udaipur.
The Nizam, 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 At the time of Indian independence and partition in 1947, 118 (113 in India, 4 in Pakistan, plus Sikkim) of the roughly 565 princely states were classified as "salute states." The rulers of the five premier states – Hyderabad State, Gwalior State, Mysore, Baroda, and Jammu & Kashmir– received 21-gun salutes. The rulers of six others – Bhopal, Indore, Udaipur, Kolhapur, Travancore, and Kalat – received 19-gun salutes. Seventy-seven 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. Eighty-eight rulers with gun salutes of 11 guns or above, whether the salute was hereditary or local only, were entitled to the style of Highness. In 1918, the Nizam of Hyderabad was granted the unique style of Exalted Highness, in recognition of the state's contributions to the Allied war effort during the First World War. In 1948, all rulers of nine-gun salute states were also granted the style of Highness.
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 a permanent hereditary 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, the Aga Khan received 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 of Highness.
Salutes within the Indian Empire (royals, administrators, and officers, as of 1947)
Number of gunsRecipients101(Imperial Salute) The Emperor of IndiaOnly if present in person (in 1911, at that year's Coronation Durbar in Delhi).31(Royal Salute)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 (Empress Mary of Teck and Empress Dowager Alexandra of Denmark, who died in 1925), and from 1936 until Indian independence in 1947 (former Empress Dowager Mary of Teck died in 1953).The Empress and the Members of the Royal FamilyOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. The Viceroy and Governor-General of IndiaOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. The King of Nepal (Shah Dynasty)21Heads of state. Foreign sovereigns and members of their families.On arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony.19Heads of government. Governors-GeneralOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Governor-General of Portuguese India AmbassadorsOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Commander-in-Chief, India (holding the rank of Field Marshal)On 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). Admirals of the Fleet, Field Marshals and Marshals of the Royal Air ForceOn 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).17On 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).Governors of the Bombay, Madras and Bengal PresidenciesOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Governors of Indian ProvincesOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Governors of ColoniesOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Governor of French India Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers PlenipotentiaryOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Commander-in-Chief, India (holding the rank of General)On 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). Admirals, Generals and Air Chief MarshalsOn 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).15Lieutenant-Governors of Indian ProvincesOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Lieutenant-Governors of ColoniesOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Plenipotentiaries and EnvoysOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Ministers ResidentOn arriving or departing from a military station, or when attending a state ceremony. Commander-in-Chief, East Indies FleetAs a vice-admiral, with two guns added. Flag Officer Commanding Royal Indian Navy (rank of Vice-Admiral)From the shore battery, on public arrival for the first time at an Indian port. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Forces in India (rank of Air Marshal)On 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.