Nawab of Junagarh

Last Nawab

After the Partition of India in 1947, the decision of Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III, who was the last ruling Nawab of Junagadh, to accede Junagadh to the Dominion of Pakistan was followed by the Indian Army taking military action. The Nawab, a 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 the princely 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 these vassal 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 captured Babariawad in November 1947 and stood on alert along borders of Junagadh and Mangrol for further orders. leading to the Indian annexation of Junagadh. After his exile, he settled down in Pakistan and the Junagarh family resides at the Junagarh House in Karachi, Pakistan.