AGENCY, an administrative section of central India, takes its name from the state of Bhopal, which is included in it. The Bhopal agency is administered by the agent to the governorgeneral in central India. Its area is 11,653 sq. m., and its population in 1901 was 1,157,697. It was created in 1818. In 5900 this district suffered severely from famine owing to the complete failure of the monsoon, and the cultivated area decreased by 50 or 60 70; but, on the whole, trade has improved of late years owing to the new railways, which have stimulated commerce and created fresh centres of industry.