The states came within the British sphere of influence after the Second Anglo-Maratha War of 1803–1805. In 1811, when the Maratha power was declining, the British Government stipulated to collect and pay over to the ruler of Baroda the yearly tribute of the Mahi Kantha states. In 1820 they finally took over the management of the whole territory, agreeing to collect and pay over the tribute free of expense to Baroda, while Baroda was pledged not to send troops into the country, or in any way to interfere with the administration. After a few disturbances in the 1830s, in 1857-58 and 1867, peace remained unbroken in the region until 1881, when the Bhils of Pol rose against their chief and extorted from him a settlement of their claims.^{[2][better source needed]}

In 1933 the agencies of Mahi Kantha and Banas Kantha, known as Palanpur Agency until 1925, were merged. However Palanpur State was transferred to the Rajputana Agency and was thus not part of the newly created agency.

After the independence of India in 1947, the rulers of the Mahi Kantha states acceded to the Government of India, and the area was reorganized into districts of Bombay State. In 1960, Bombay State was split along linguistic lines, and the area of Mahi Kantha became part of the new state of Gujarat.

The states were classified in the following manner:

Salute states edit

First Class state edit

• Idar (styled (Maha)Raja), a 15-guns salute state, covering over half of the territory of the agency.

Second Class state edit

• Danta (styled Maharana), an 11-guns salute state

Non-Salute states edit

Third Class states edit

• Malpur
• Mansa
• Mohanpur

Fourth Class states edit

• Ilol
• Ghodasar
• Katosan
• Khadal
• Pethapur
• Vallbhapur
• Ranasan
• Sudasna
• Varsoda
• Ambliara
• Antroli
• Moyad
• Vaghpur

Fifth Class states edit