Nawab of Junagarh

Nawab of Junagarh or Junagadh refers to the now defunct ex-lineage of rulers of the princely Junagarh State in British Raj, nowadays Junagadh district in the state of Gujarat in India. There are still several forts and palaces in India which were owned by princely Junagarh family but after Partition of India, this property was claimed by the Indian Government.[1][2][3]

Nawab Bhadur Khan III in 1885, with officials

List of Nawabs of Junagarh

Given below is the list of Nawabs who ruled in the princely Junagarh State before the Partition of India. After the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, the title of Nawab of Junagarh has no official status. It still carries respect in Pakistan and is used as a courtesy title.[4][5][6]

Lineage
Nawab Reign Life
1st Nawab Muhammad Bahadur Khanji or Muhammad Sher Khan Babi[7]1730 – 28 Sep 1758died 1758
2nd Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji l28 Sep 1758 – 1760died 1774
Nawab Muzaffar Khanji1760–1762
2nd Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji1762 – 2 Dec 1774died 1774
3rd Nawab Muhammad Hamid Khanji2 Dec 1774 – 26 Feb 18111766–1811
4th Nawab Muhammad Bahadur Khanji II26 Feb 1811 – 26 May 18401795–1840
5th Nawab Muhammad Hamid Khanji II26 May 1840 – 18511828–1851
6th Nawab Sir Muhammad Mahabat Khanji II1851 – 29 Sep 18821838–1882
7th Nawab Sir Muhammad Bahadur Khanji III29 Sep 1882 – 21 Jan 18921856–1892
8th Nawab Sir Muhammad Rasul Khanji Babi23 Jan 1892 – 22 Jan 19111858–1911
9th Mr. H.D Rendall ESQR, Administrator of Junagarh1911–1920
10th Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III[8]22 Jan 1911 – 25 Feb 19481900–1959 as the last 'de facto' Nawab.

Last Nawab

The Partition of India in 1947 resulted in the exile of Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III, who was the last ruling Nawab of Junagadh. The Nawab, being Muslim, was in favor of declaring the state as part of newly created Muslim majority Pakistan. For this purpose he signed the documents for incorporation of its state in Pakistan, in response rulers of two states that were subject to the suzerainty of Junagadh—Mangrol and Babariawad—reacted by declaring their independence from Junagadh and acceding to India. In response, the Nawab of Junagadh militarily occupied the states, Sardar Patel saw this as an aggression upon State of India and called for military response. However, Jawaharlal Nehru waited to first establish the validity of accession of principality of Babariawad to India. Once this was established with Lord Mountbatten, on 22 September 1947, they sent a telegram to Dewan of Junagadh clarifying the legality of accession and to withdraw their troops from Babariawad. Further, Indian Army was ordered to go to Babariawad and get the territories in India's possession. The Nawab of Junagadh refused to vacate his troops from Babariawad and Mangrol. In October, 1947 Nawab of Junagarh fled with his family to Pakistan. The Indian Army finally entered and liberated Babariawad in November 1947 and stood on alert along borders of Junagadh and Mangrol for further orders. leading to the integration of Junagadh into. After his exile, he settled down in Pakistan and the Junagarh family resides at the 'Junagarh House' in Karachi, Pakistan.[9]

After one year under Indian administration the Indian Government held a referendum asking the people of state to agree to be part of India.

See also

References
  1. Royal Junagadh Palace
  2. Juagadh Fort
  3. History of Junagadh
  4. Reviving the Junagarh issue: BACKGROUNDER Retrieved Daily Dawn, 9 Nov 2001
  5. The Story of the Accession of the Princely State of Junagarh Retrieved The Ground Report India, 30 January 2011
  6. rulers.org/indstat1.html
  7. Last Days of Junagadh Retrieved Memon World News
  8. The Maharaja of Junagadh, Nawab Sir Mahabet Khanji III
  9. Junagadh House Karachi Retrieved Indian Express, 21 January 2004
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