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{{Infobox former subdivision
{{Short description|Former princely state in Gujarat, India (1730–1948)}}
|native_name = જુનાગઢ રિયાસત
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
|conventional_long_name = Junagadh State
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
|common_name = Junagadh
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
|nation = [[British India]]
{{more citations needed|date=December 2015}}
|subdivision = [[Princely State]]
{{Infobox country
|era =  
| native_name            =  
|year_start = 1730
| conventional_long_name = State of Junagadh
|date_start =  
| era                   =  
|event_start=  
| year_start             = 1730{{cn|date=July 2025}}
|year_end = 1948
| date_start             =  
|date_end =  
| event_start           = Founded
|event_end= Indian integration of Junagadh
| status                = State Within the [[Maratha Confederacy]] (1731–1807) <br/> [[Protectorate]] of the [[East India Company]] (1807–1857) <br/> [[Princely State]] of the [[British Raj]] (1857–1947)
|event1 =  
| year_end               = 1948
|date_event1 =  
| date_end               =  
|p1 =
| event_end             = [[Annexation of Junagarh]]
|s1 = India
| event1                 =  
|flag_p1 =  
| date_event1           =  
|flag_s1 = Flag of India.svg
| p1                     = Maratha Empire
|image_flag = Drapeau Junagadh vector.svg
| flag_p1               =  
|image_coat = Junagadh - CoA.png
| image_flag            = State Flag of Junaghad.jpg
|image_map =  
| flag_type              = Flag (1947–48)
|image_map_caption =  
| image_coat             = Junaghad_State_Emblem_1947.png
|stat_area1 =8643
| symbol_type            = Emblem <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kathiyawadikhamir.com/coat-of-arms/coat-of-arms-emblem-junagadh/|title=coat-of-arms-emblem-junagadh &#124; કાઠિયાવાડી ખમીર|first=Kathiyawadi|last=Khamir|date=11 January 2014}}</ref>
|stat_year1 = 1921
| image_map             = Junaghad state.jpg
|stat_pop1 = 465493
| capital                = [[Junagadh]]
|today     = [[Gujarat]], [[India]]
| leader_name2          =  
|footnotes =  
| image_map_caption     = Location of the State of Junagarh,<br/>among all districts (in dark green)
| title_leader          = [[Nawab]]
| year_leader1          = 1730– 1758 (first)
| leader1                = Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I
| year_leader2          = 1911–1948 (last)
| leader2                = [[Muhammad Mahabat Khan III]]
| stat_area1             = 8643
| stat_year1             = 1921
| stat_pop1             = 465,493
| today                 = [[Gujarat]], [[India]]
| footnotes             =  
| s1                    = State of Saurashtra
| flag_s1                = Flag of India.svg
}}
}}
[[File:India-GUJARAT.svg|thumb|Modern state of [[Gujarat]], shown within modern borders of India]]
The '''State of Junagadh''' was a [[princely state]] in the [[Kathiawar Peninsula]] of western India, located in present-day [[Gujarat]]. Ruled by the [[Babi dynasty]] of Muslim Nawabs since 1654, it was one of the larger princely states in the region firstly within the [[Maratha Empire]] and later by [[British India]].<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Junagarh |volume=15 |pages=554–555}}</ref> In 1947, following the [[partition of India]], Junagadh became the subject of a political dispute when its ruler, Nawab Mahabat Khan III, acceded to [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]] despite the state's predominantly Hindu population and its geographical contiguity with India.<ref name=":0" /> This decision led to unrest and the eventual [[Annexation of Junagadh|intervention]] of the Government of India. After a plebiscite held in 1948, in which an overwhelming majority voted in favor of accession to [[Dominion of India|India]], Junagadh was integrated into the Indian Union and later became part of the state of Gujarat.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Collins |first=Larry |title=Freedom at Midnight |publisher=Vikas Publishing House |year=2011 |isbn=978-8125931867 |edition=Seventh |pages=556–557 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-05 |title=Explained: When Junagadh voted to join India, and Pakistan got just 91 votes |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-when-junagadh-voted-to-join-india-and-pakistan-got-just-91-votes-6540331/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Pakistan claims sovereignty over the erstwhile princely state to this day.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />


Junagadh was a [[princely state]] in [[Gujarat]] ruled by [[Muslim]] rulers in [[British India]] until its [[wikt:integration|integration]] into [[India]] in 1948.<ref name=Rosecrance147>Richard N. Rosecrance; Arthur A. Stein, ''No More States?: Globalization, National Self-determination, and Terrorism'' (Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006), p. 147</ref>
==History==
[[File:Janugadh Musuem.jpg|thumb|Janugadh Museum]]
 
The state of Junagadh was established by the Maharaja of [[Parmar (Rajput clan)|Parmar]] [[Rajput]]s.{{cn|date=July 2025}} Muhammad Sher Khan Babai was the founder of the [[Babi dynasty|Babi Pashtun dynasty]] of Junagarh in 1654. His descendants, the Babi Nawabs of Junagarh, conquered large territories in southern [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]].
 
However, during the collapse of the [[Mughal Empire]], the Babis became involved in a struggle with the [[Gaekwad dynasty]] of the [[Maratha Empire]] over control of [[Gujarat]], during the reign of the local Mohammad Mahabat Khanji I. Mohammad Khan Bahadur Khanji I declared independence from the Mughal governor of Gujarat subah, and founded the state of Junagarh in 1730. This allowed the Babi to retain sovereignty of Junagarh and other princely states. During the reign of his heir Junagarh was a tributary to the Maratha Empire,<ref>{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R--XMUsk7sIC&q=Junagadh+Marathas&pg=PA198 |title=Contemporary Society: Concept of tribal society |page=198 |author1=Georg Pfeffer |author2=Deepak Kumar Behera |year=1997 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=9788170229834 |author1-link=Georg Pfeffer}}</ref> until it came under [[Company rule in India|British suzerainty]] in 1807 under Mohammad Hamid Khanji I,<ref name=EB1911/> following the [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]].


==History==
In 1807, Junagarh became a British protectorate and the [[East India Company]] took control of the state. By 1818, the [[Saurashtra (state)|Saurashtra]] area, along with other [[princely states]] of [[Kathiawar]], were separately administered under the [[Kathiawar Agency]] by [[British India]].
Mohammad Sher Khan Babi<!-- JALPESHC ?-->, a Babi Khel [[Pathan]] who owed allegiance to the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] governor of [[Gujarat]] subah, founded the state of Junagadh. It declared [[independence]] in 1730 after the Marathas Gaikwad invasion. Muhammad Sher Khan Babi, was the [[wikt:found|found]]er of the [[Babi Dynasty]] of Junagadh State dynasty. His [[descendant]]s, the Babi Nawabs of Junagadh, took large territories in [[south]]ern [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] and ruled over the state for the next two [[centuries]]. First they were a [[tributary state]] of [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]]. Later they were under the rule of the [[British Raj]].
 
In 1947, during the [[partition of India]], the last Babi dynasty ruler of the state, [[Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III]], decided to accede to the [[Dominion of Pakistan]] but [[Annexation of Junagarh|Junagarh was annexed]] by India which was followed by a plebiscite in which the locals voted to stay with India.
 
==Koli Rebellion==
[[File:Junagadh CoA.jpg|thumb|A coat of arms was granted to Muhammed Mahabat Khanji II at the Durbar in Delhi of 1877, used until 1947.]]
There was a [[Koli people|Koli]] rebellion in Junagarh by Mansa Khant during the reign of [[Nawab]] Sher Khan (the first ruler of Junagarh). He revolted against the ongoing [[Mughal Empire|Mughal Rule]], with [[Uparkot Fort]] serving as his centre of operations. He made a series of raids into the surrounding villages and cities. Nawab Sher Khan was unsuccessful in suppressing the rebellion. Mansa Khant occupied Uparkot for 13 months and continued to carry out numerous raids mostly in the countryside. The nawab was assisted by the ruler of [[Gondal State]], Thakur Sahib Haloji [[Jadeja]] and Arab Jamadar Sheikh Abdullah Zubeidi in his campaign against the rebellion. The combined forces defeated Mansa Khant, captured Uparkot and crushed the rebellion.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rs5JDwAAQBAJ&q=Mansa+Khant&pg=PT94|title=Swaminarayan Hinduism: Tradition, Adaptation, and Identity|last1=Williams|first1=Raymond Brady|last2=Trivedi|first2=Yogi|date=12 May 2016|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780199089598|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=KOLIS: A FRINGE CATEGORY|url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/59303/8/08_chapter%20iv.pdf|website=shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in|access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>
 
==Annexation by India==
{{Main|Annexation of Junagarh}}
 
In 1947, [[Shah Nawaz Bhutto]] joined the council of ministers of Nawab [[Muhammad Mahabat Khan III]], and in May became his [[dewan]] or prime minister.
 
With the [[partition of India]] in 1947, the princely states were left by the British to decide whether to accede to one of the newly independent Union of India or Dominion of Pakistan, or become a separate country.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Copland |first=Ian |date=1991 |title=The Princely States, the Muslim League, and the Partition of India in 1947 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40106322 |journal=The International History Review |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=38–69 |doi=10.1080/07075332.1991.9640572 |jstor=40106322 |issn=0707-5332|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
 
The Constitutional Advisor to the Nawab, Nabi Baksh, indicated to [[Lord Mountbatten]] that he was recommending that Junagarh should join India. However, upon the advice of Dewan Bhutto, on 15 August 1947, the Nawab announced that Junagarh had acceded to Pakistan. On 16 September, the Government of Pakistan accepted the accession.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |first=V. P. |last=Menon |title=The Story of Integration of the Indian States |publisher=Orient Longman |year=1956 |url=https://hidf1.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/the-story-of-the-integration-of-the-indian-states-by-v-p-menon.pdf |pages=85–87}}</ref>


In 1807 the Junagadh State became a British [[protectorate]]. The [[East India Company]] took control of the state by 1818. The Saurashtra area, with other [[princely states]] of [[Kathiawar]], were separately [[administer]]ed under [[Kathiawar Agency]] by [[British India]].
India sent its military into Junagarh while the Nawab of Junagarh was in Pakistan and captured the State of Junagarh. The [[Annexation of Junagarh]] by India led to the Nawab [[Muhammad Mahabat Khan III]] of Junagarh (of the erstwhile Babi Nawab dynasty of Junagarh) living in exile in [[Sindh]], Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.junagadhmunicipal.org/history.php |title=Welcome to Junagadh Municipal Corporation |access-date=5 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225220311/http://www.junagadhmunicipal.org/history.php |archive-date=25 February 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>


On 15 August 1947 upon the [[independence of India]], the [[Nawab of Junagarh]] decided to merge it into newly formed [[Pakistan]].<ref name=Rosecrance147/> The Indian government maintained the people of Junagadh should decide. Pakistan waited until 13 September to respond saying they accepted Junagarh's acceptance of Pakistani rule.<ref name=Rosecrance147/> This caused a general [[revolt]] among the [[Hindu]] majority of Junagadh as well as [[Protest|protest movements]] in the surrounding states that had acceded to join India.<ref name=Rosecrance147/> The Nawab then occupied territory in several of those states claiming he had rule over them. When the Indian government sent a small force to restore order, the Nawab fled to Pakistan. His Dewan ([[Prime minister]]) agreed to rule by India.<ref name=Rosecrance147/> This resulted in the integration of Junagadh into India.<ref>Gandhi, Rajmohan (1991). Patel: A Life. India: Navajivan. p. 292.</ref>
===Pakistan's claim===
Pakistan's government has maintained its territorial claim on Junagadh, along with [[Manavadar]] and [[Sir Creek]] in Gujarat, on its official political maps.<ref>
Devirupa Mitra, [https://thewire.in/external-affairs/pakistani-complaint-to-un-over-geospatial-bill-is-a-silly-issue-experts Pakistan Objects to India's Map Bill But its Own 2014 Law Regulates Geospatial Data Too], The Wire, 18 May 2016.
</ref><ref name=":1">
Philip Jagessar, [https://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/mapcollection/2019/10/03/pakistan-india-and-mapping-the-contested-accession-of-south-asias-princely-states/ Pakistan, India and mapping the contested accession of South Asia’s princely states], University of Nottingham, 3 October 2019.
</ref><ref name=":2">
{{cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/world/pakistan-unveils-new-political-map-claiming-jammu-india-retorts/ |title=After Nepal, Pakistan unveils new political map; Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh claimed, India retorts |work=The Himalayan Times |date=4 August 2020 |accessdate=4 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-20 |title=Illegal occupation of Junagadh was an act of brazen aggression |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/20-Mar-2021/illegal-occupation-of-junagadh-was-an-act-of-brazen-aggression |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=The Nation |language=en-US}}</ref> On 10 December 2020, [[Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali|Sultan Ahmed Ali]] took oath as the Dewan of Junagadh State.<ref>{{Cite web |last=news.desk |date=2020-12-12 |title=New prime minister of Junagadh sworn in |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2275654/new-prime-minister-of-junagadh-sworn-in |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref>


== List of rulers ==
{{Sources needed|date=March 2025}}
===Rulers===
===Rulers===
The [[Nawab]]s of [[Junagadh]] belonged to [[Pashtuns|Pathan]] Babi khel tribe. They were granted a 13 [[gun salute]] by the British authorities:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/j/junagadh.html |title=Junagadh Princely State (13 gun salute) |access-date=2015-11-28 |archive-date=2017-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520212059/http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/j/junagadh.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{main|Nawab of Junagarh}}


* 1730 - 1758 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji or Mohammad Sher Khan Babi<ref>[http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000002S6U00070000 Nawabs of Junagadh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209012232/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000002S6U00070000 |date=2012-02-09 }} British Library.</ref>
[[File:Tomb of Mahabat Khan.jpg|thumb|Tomb of Mahabat Khan]]
* 1758 - 1774 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji I
The [[Nawab]]s of Junagarh belonged to [[Pashtuns|Pathan]] Babi or [[Babai (Pashtun tribe)]]. They were granted a 13 [[gun salute]] by the British authorities:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/j/junagadh.html|title=JUNAGADH|first=Henry|last=Soszynski|access-date=27 June 2014|archive-date=20 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520212059/http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/j/junagadh.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 1774 - 1811 : Mohammad Hamid Khanji I
* 1811 - 1840 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I
* 1840 - 1851 : Mohammad Hamid Khanji II
* 1851 - 1882 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II
* 1882 - 1892 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji II
* 1892 - 1911 : Mohammad Rasul Khanji
* 1911 - 1948 : [[Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III|Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III]] (last de facto ruler)
{|
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Junagadh Nawab's and state officials, 19th century.jpg|200px|thumb| Junagadh Nawabs and state officials, 19th century.]]
|[[File:Mahabat Khan, the Nawab of Junagarh, 1870s.jpg|thumb|200px|'''Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II''', the Nawab of Junagarh, with young, Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III. 1870s.]]
|[[Image:Bahadur Khanji III, Nawab of Junagadh, and state officials, 1880s.jpg|200px|thumb|'''Bahadur Khanji III''' (r. 1882-1892), Nawab of Junagadh, and state officials, 1880s.]]
|[[Image:Mohammad Rasul Khanji, Nawab of Junagadh, Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, Wazier, Junagadh, 1890s.jpg|200px|thumb|'''Mohammad Rasul Khanji''', Nawab of Junagadh, Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, Wazier, Junagadh, 1890s.]]
|}


== Dispute ==
* 1730–1758 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I or [[Sher Khanji Babi|Mohammad Sher Khanji Babai]]<ref>[http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000002S6U00070000 Nawabs of Junagarh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209012232/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000002S6U00070000 |date=9 February 2012 }} British Library.</ref>
Many in Pakistan still maintains the 1948 [[plebiscite]] and rule by India was an [[illegitimate]] action.<ref name=LewisGC>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocurrents.info/geopolitics/border-disputes/pakistan-claim-junagadh-indian-state-gujarat |title=Does Pakistan Claim Junagadh in the Indian State of Gujarat? |author=Martin W. Lewis |date=22 April 2014 |website= |publisher= GeoCurrents |accessdate=28 November 2015}}</ref> One of the reasons is because [[Kashmir]] at the time was ruled by a Hindu but had a clear Muslim majority.<ref name=LewisGC/> By acceding to India it was the opposite of the situation in Junagadh.<ref name=LewisGC/>
* 1758–1774: Mohammad Mahabat Khan I
* 1774–1811: Mohammad Hamid Khan I
* 1811–1840: Mohammad Bahadur Khan II
* 1840–1851: Mohammad Hamid Khan II
* 1851–1882: Mohammad Mahabat Khan  II
* 1882–1892: Mohammad Bahadur Khan III
* 1892–1911: Mohammad Rasul Khan
* 1911–1948: [[Muhammad Mahabat Khan III|Mohammad Mahabat Khan III]] (last ruler before the integration of Junagarh into India)
<gallery>
Junagadh Nawab's and state officials, 19th century.jpg|Junagarh Nawabs and state officials, 19th century
Mahabat Khan, the Nawab of Junagarh, 1870s.jpg|'''Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II''', the Nawab of Junagarh, with young, Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III, 1870s
Bahadur Khanji III, Nawab of Junagadh, and state officials, 1880s.jpg|'''Bahadur Khanji II''' (r. 1882–1892), Nawab of Junagarh, and state officials, 1880s
Mohammad Rasul Khanji, Nawab of Junagadh, Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, Wazier, Junagadh, 1890s.jpg|'''Mohammad Rasul Khanji''', Nawab of Junagarh, Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, Wazier, Junagarh, 1890s
</gallery>


For its part India knew Junagadh was the premier state in the [[west]]ern [[Kathiawar|Kathiawar region]]. It was bound on three sides by states that acceded to India.<ref name=BangashTNI>{{cite web |url=http://tns.thenews.com.pk/junagadh-legally-pakistan/#.VloPa7-ATIU |title=Junagadh: Legally Pakistan |author=Yaqoob Khan Bangash |date=2 March 2014 |website= |publisher=The News International |accessdate=28 November 2015 |archive-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227203708/http://tns.thenews.com.pk/junagadh-legally-pakistan/#.VloPa7-ATIU |url-status=dead }}</ref> On the fourth side was bounded by the [[Arabian Sea]]. This gave it great [[wikt:strategic|strategic]] importance to both countries. India was not prepared to accept Junagadh's acceding to Pakistan.<ref name=BangashTNI/> This would create a Pakistan state in the middle of Indian states. India's taking administrative control of Junagadh to restore order is seen as a [[wikt:excuse|pretext]] by Pakistan.<ref name=BangashTNI/> The [[referendum]] taken by the people of Junagadh, under the control of the Indian army, was overwhelmingly in favor of Indian rule.<ref name=BangashTNI/> Pakistan has never accepted this vote by the people there and believes Junagadh rightly belongs to them.<ref name=BangashTNI/>
==See also==
*[[Annexation of Junagarh]]
*[[Manavadar State]]
*[[V. P. Menon]]
*[[Political integration of India]]
*[[Pathans of Gujarat]]
*[[Junagadh State Railway]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
 
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.junagadhstate.org Official Website of State of Junagadh]
*{{official website|http://www.junagadhstate.org }}
*[http://indiannumismatics.com/about-monograms.php Classic Gallery of Indian Numismatics]
*[http://indiannumismatics.com/about-monograms.php Classic Gallery of Indian Numismatics]
*[http://www.hubert-herald.nl/BhaGujarat2.htm Heraldry of the princely states of Gujarat]
*[http://www.hubert-herald.nl/BhaGujarat2.htm Heraldry of the princely states of Gujarat]
{{Princely states of India}}
{{Princely states of the Western India States Agency}}
{{coord|21.52|N|70.47|E|region:IN_type:landmark_source:kolossus-svwiki|display=title}}
{{coord|21.52|N|70.47|E|region:IN_type:landmark_source:kolossus-svwiki|display=title}}


[[Category:Territorial disputes]]
[[Category:1730 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Gujarat]]
[[Category:History of India]]
[[Category:History of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Indian princely states]]
[[Category:Pakistani princely states| ]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes of Pakistan]]
[[Category:1730 establishments]]
[[Category:1948 disestablishments in India]]
[[Category:1948 disestablishments in India]]
[[Category:1730s establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Bombay Presidency]]
[[Category:18th century establishments in India]]
[[Category:Former protectorates]]
 
[[Category:States under the Kathiawar Agency]]
 
[[Category:Pashtun dynasties]]
{{simple-Wikipedia}}
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1948]]

Latest revision as of 12:18, 18 March 2026


State of Junagadh
1730[citation needed]–1948
Flag of Junagadh State
Flag (1947–48)
Emblem [1] of Junagadh State
Emblem [1]
Location of the State of Junagarh, among all districts (in dark green)
Location of the State of Junagarh,
among all districts (in dark green)
StatusState Within the Maratha Confederacy (1731–1807)
Protectorate of the East India Company (1807–1857)
Princely State of the British Raj (1857–1947)
CapitalJunagadh
Nawab 
• 1730– 1758 (first)
Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I
• 1911–1948 (last)
Muhammad Mahabat Khan III
History 
• Founded
1730[citation needed]
1948
Area
19218,643 km2 (3,337 sq mi)
Population
• 1921
465,493
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Maratha Empire
State of Saurashtra
Today part ofGujarat, India
Modern state of Gujarat, shown within modern borders of India

The State of Junagadh was a princely state in the Kathiawar Peninsula of western India, located in present-day Gujarat. Ruled by the Babi dynasty of Muslim Nawabs since 1654, it was one of the larger princely states in the region firstly within the Maratha Empire and later by British India.[2] In 1947, following the partition of India, Junagadh became the subject of a political dispute when its ruler, Nawab Mahabat Khan III, acceded to Pakistan despite the state's predominantly Hindu population and its geographical contiguity with India.[3] This decision led to unrest and the eventual intervention of the Government of India. After a plebiscite held in 1948, in which an overwhelming majority voted in favor of accession to India, Junagadh was integrated into the Indian Union and later became part of the state of Gujarat.[4][5] Pakistan claims sovereignty over the erstwhile princely state to this day.[6][7]

History[edit | edit source]

Janugadh Museum

The state of Junagadh was established by the Maharaja of Parmar Rajputs.[citation needed] Muhammad Sher Khan Babai was the founder of the Babi Pashtun dynasty of Junagarh in 1654. His descendants, the Babi Nawabs of Junagarh, conquered large territories in southern Saurashtra.

However, during the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the Babis became involved in a struggle with the Gaekwad dynasty of the Maratha Empire over control of Gujarat, during the reign of the local Mohammad Mahabat Khanji I. Mohammad Khan Bahadur Khanji I declared independence from the Mughal governor of Gujarat subah, and founded the state of Junagarh in 1730. This allowed the Babi to retain sovereignty of Junagarh and other princely states. During the reign of his heir Junagarh was a tributary to the Maratha Empire,[8] until it came under British suzerainty in 1807 under Mohammad Hamid Khanji I,[2] following the Second Anglo-Maratha War.

In 1807, Junagarh became a British protectorate and the East India Company took control of the state. By 1818, the Saurashtra area, along with other princely states of Kathiawar, were separately administered under the Kathiawar Agency by British India.

In 1947, during the partition of India, the last Babi dynasty ruler of the state, Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III, decided to accede to the Dominion of Pakistan but Junagarh was annexed by India which was followed by a plebiscite in which the locals voted to stay with India.

Koli Rebellion[edit | edit source]

A coat of arms was granted to Muhammed Mahabat Khanji II at the Durbar in Delhi of 1877, used until 1947.

There was a Koli rebellion in Junagarh by Mansa Khant during the reign of Nawab Sher Khan (the first ruler of Junagarh). He revolted against the ongoing Mughal Rule, with Uparkot Fort serving as his centre of operations. He made a series of raids into the surrounding villages and cities. Nawab Sher Khan was unsuccessful in suppressing the rebellion. Mansa Khant occupied Uparkot for 13 months and continued to carry out numerous raids mostly in the countryside. The nawab was assisted by the ruler of Gondal State, Thakur Sahib Haloji Jadeja and Arab Jamadar Sheikh Abdullah Zubeidi in his campaign against the rebellion. The combined forces defeated Mansa Khant, captured Uparkot and crushed the rebellion.[9][10]

Annexation by India[edit | edit source]

Main article: Annexation of Junagarh

In 1947, Shah Nawaz Bhutto joined the council of ministers of Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan III, and in May became his dewan or prime minister.

With the partition of India in 1947, the princely states were left by the British to decide whether to accede to one of the newly independent Union of India or Dominion of Pakistan, or become a separate country.[11]

The Constitutional Advisor to the Nawab, Nabi Baksh, indicated to Lord Mountbatten that he was recommending that Junagarh should join India. However, upon the advice of Dewan Bhutto, on 15 August 1947, the Nawab announced that Junagarh had acceded to Pakistan. On 16 September, the Government of Pakistan accepted the accession.[3]

India sent its military into Junagarh while the Nawab of Junagarh was in Pakistan and captured the State of Junagarh. The Annexation of Junagarh by India led to the Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan III of Junagarh (of the erstwhile Babi Nawab dynasty of Junagarh) living in exile in Sindh, Pakistan.[12]

Pakistan's claim[edit | edit source]

Pakistan's government has maintained its territorial claim on Junagadh, along with Manavadar and Sir Creek in Gujarat, on its official political maps.[13][6][7][14] On 10 December 2020, Sultan Ahmed Ali took oath as the Dewan of Junagadh State.[15]

List of rulers[edit | edit source]

Template:Sources needed

Rulers[edit | edit source]

Main article: Nawab of Junagarh
Tomb of Mahabat Khan

The Nawabs of Junagarh belonged to Pathan Babi or Babai (Pashtun tribe). They were granted a 13 gun salute by the British authorities:[16]

  • 1730–1758 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I or Mohammad Sher Khanji Babai[17]
  • 1758–1774: Mohammad Mahabat Khan I
  • 1774–1811: Mohammad Hamid Khan I
  • 1811–1840: Mohammad Bahadur Khan II
  • 1840–1851: Mohammad Hamid Khan II
  • 1851–1882: Mohammad Mahabat Khan II
  • 1882–1892: Mohammad Bahadur Khan III
  • 1892–1911: Mohammad Rasul Khan
  • 1911–1948: Mohammad Mahabat Khan III (last ruler before the integration of Junagarh into India)
  • Junagarh Nawabs and state officials, 19th century
    Junagarh Nawabs and state officials, 19th century
  • Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II, the Nawab of Junagarh, with young, Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III, 1870s
    Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II, the Nawab of Junagarh, with young, Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III, 1870s
  • Bahadur Khanji II (r. 1882–1892), Nawab of Junagarh, and state officials, 1880s
    Bahadur Khanji II (r. 1882–1892), Nawab of Junagarh, and state officials, 1880s
  • Mohammad Rasul Khanji, Nawab of Junagarh, Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, Wazier, Junagarh, 1890s
    Mohammad Rasul Khanji, Nawab of Junagarh, Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, Wazier, Junagarh, 1890s

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Khamir, Kathiyawadi (11 January 2014). "coat-of-arms-emblem-junagadh | કાઠિયાવાડી ખમીર".
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Junagarh" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 15 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 554–555.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Menon, V. P. (1956). The Story of Integration of the Indian States (PDF). Orient Longman. pp. 85–87.
  4. ↑ Collins, Larry (2011). Freedom at Midnight (Seventh ed.). Vikas Publishing House. pp. 556–557. ISBN 978-8125931867.
  5. ↑ "Explained: When Junagadh voted to join India, and Pakistan got just 91 votes". The Indian Express. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Philip Jagessar, Pakistan, India and mapping the contested accession of South Asia’s princely states, University of Nottingham, 3 October 2019.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "After Nepal, Pakistan unveils new political map; Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh claimed, India retorts". The Himalayan Times. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  8. ↑ Georg Pfeffer; Deepak Kumar Behera (1997), Contemporary Society: Concept of tribal society, Concept Publishing Company, p. 198, ISBN 9788170229834
  9. ↑ Williams, Raymond Brady; Trivedi, Yogi (12 May 2016). Swaminarayan Hinduism: Tradition, Adaptation, and Identity. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199089598.
  10. ↑ "KOLIS: A FRINGE CATEGORY" (PDF). shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  11. ↑ Copland, Ian (1991). "The Princely States, the Muslim League, and the Partition of India in 1947". The International History Review. 13 (1): 38–69. doi:10.1080/07075332.1991.9640572. ISSN 0707-5332. JSTOR 40106322.
  12. ↑ "Welcome to Junagadh Municipal Corporation". Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  13. ↑ Devirupa Mitra, Pakistan Objects to India's Map Bill But its Own 2014 Law Regulates Geospatial Data Too, The Wire, 18 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "Illegal occupation of Junagadh was an act of brazen aggression". The Nation. 20 March 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  15. ↑ news.desk (12 December 2020). "New prime minister of Junagadh sworn in". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  16. ↑ Soszynski, Henry. "JUNAGADH". Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  17. ↑ Nawabs of Junagarh Archived 9 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine British Library.

External links[edit | edit source]

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