Integration of Junagadh: - Junagadh Was A Princely State of India, Located in What Is Now Gujarat

INTEGRATION OF JUNAGADH
• Junagadh was a princely state of India, located

in what is now Gujarat
• In the independence and partition of India of
1947, the 562 princely states were given a
choice of whether to either join the new
Dominion of India or the newly formed state
of Pakistan or to remain independent.
Princely State of Junagadh- Royal Family of Junagadh
Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji
• Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji

(2 August 1900 - 7 November 1959) was the
last ruling Nawab of Junagadh of the princely
state of Junagadh in British India from 1911 to
1947.
• He is credited with pioneering a conservation
effort that saved the world's last few Asiatic
Lions from almost certain extinction
The Nawab of Junagadh Bahadur Khan III (seated centre in an ornate chair)
shown in an 1885 photograph with state officials and family.
Mohammad Rasul Khanji, Nawab of Junagadh,
Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, Wazier, Junagadh, 1890
Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II, the Nawab of Junagarh,
with young, Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III, 1870s
JUNAGADH STATE IN SAURASHTRA, AMONG ALL THE PRINCELY
STATES SHOWN IN PINK
1877 - 1947
2 Aug 1921 - 15 Aug 1947 Merchant Flag
Junagadh Flag
http://www.worldstatesmen.org/India_princes_A-J.html
• He owned dogs
over 300 of them
and is known to
have spent several
thousand rupees
on grand birthday
and 'marriage'
parties of his
favourite dogs
JUNAGADH PALACE
•Mahabat Makbara –
Junagadh, Gujarat State, India.
•Construction was started in
AD.1878, by the sixth Nawab
“Mohammad Mahabat Khanji
II” and completed in AD. 1892
by the sevent Nawab
“Mohammad Bahadur Khanji
III”
•In it buried among others are:
1851 - 1882 : Mohammad
Mahabat Khanji II (Sixth
Nawab)
1882 - 1892 : Mohammad
Bahadur Khanji III (Seventh
Nawab)
1892 - 1911 : Mohammad Rasul
Khanji (Eighth Nawab)
The Mahabat Maqbara of Junagadh
• Patel did not hesitate in
using the policy of
‘Saam-Daam-Dand-
Bhed’ (friendship, give-
and-take, punishment,
and divide-and-rule) for
achieving his objective.
• Such was his resolve
and craft that princely
states were left with no
other option but to
merge with India.
• Patel tried to address the
financial concerns of
princes by introducing the
‘privy purse’ under which
they were paid a fixed
amount for their livelihood.
• ‘Stick and carrot’ policy of
Patel paid off handsomely
and all but three of princely
states willingly merged with
India.
• The three states were –
Junagadh, Hyderabad and
Jammu and Kashmir.
•Sardar Patel was a man of
principles.
•A fierce nationalist, he
never believed in
compromising with his
core philosophy of ‘nation
first’.
•Basically it was his
success in integrating
around 565 princely
states after independence
that got him the title of
‘Iron Man’.
• The Nawab of Junagadh, Muhammad
Mahabat Khanji III, a Muslim whose ancestors
had ruled Junagadh and small principalities for
some two hundred years, decided that
Junagadh should become part of Pakistan,
much to the displeasure of many of the
people of the state, an overwhelming majority
of whom were Hindus.
• The Nawab acceded to the Dominion of
Pakistan on 15 September 1947, against
the advice of Lord Mountbatten, arguing
that Junagadh joined Pakistan by sea.
• When Pakistan accepted the Nawab's
Instrument of Accession on 16 September, the
Government of India was outraged that
Muhammad Ali Jinnah could accept the
accession of Junagadh despite his argument
that Hindus and Muslims could not live as
one nation
• Sardar Vallabhbhai believed that if
Junagadh was permitted to go to
Pakistan, it would exacerbate (worsen) the
communal tension already simmering in
Gujarat.
Instrument of Accession
• 565 princely states existed in India during the
period of British rule.
• These were not parts of British India proper,
having never become possessions of the British
Crown, but were tied to it in a system of
subsidiary alliances.
• In 1947 the British finalized their plans for
quitting India, and the question of the future of
the princely states was a challenge for them.
• The Indian Independence Act 1947
provided that the suzerainty (a sovereign or a state
exercising political control over a dependent state) of the British
Crown over the princely states would

simply be terminated, with effect from
15 August 1947.
• That would leave the princely states
completely independent, even though many of
them had been dependent on the Government
of India for defense, finance, and other
infrastructure.
• With independence, it would then be a
matter for each ruler of a state to decide
whether to accede to India, to accede to
Pakistan
• The Instrument of Accession was the
legal document designed to bring about
accession, where it was decided upon.
• It was executed by the Government of
India on the one hand and by the rulers
of each of the princely states,
individually, on the other hand.
Instrument of accession
• Immediately after making the announcement
in Dastrural Amal Sarkar Junagadh, the
Jungadh government communicated to
Pakistan its wish to accede, and a delegation
headed by Ismail was sent to Karachi with
the Instrument of Accession signed by the
Nawab.
• The Constituent Assembly of Pakistan
considered the proposal in detail and
approved it.
• The Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as
Governor General of Pakistan, counter-signed
the Instrument of Accession on 15 September
1947.
• This was notified in the Gazette of Pakistan
and Dasturul Amal, the Gazette of Junagadh,
on that date.
• The Instrument of Accession provided for the
right of the Pakistan legislature to legislate in
the areas of Defence and Communication, as
well as others.
• Although the territory of Junagadh
was geographically not adjoining the
existing Pakistan, it had a link by sea
through the Veraval Port of
Junagadh.
Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the DEWAN (or Chief
Minister) of Junagadh.
• Sir Shah Nawaz

Bhutto
• (Father of
Zulfiqar Ali
Bhutto).
• Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, a Muslim League
politician of Karachi was appointed the
DEWAN (or Chief Minister) of Junagadh.
• The Nawab came under the influence of the
Muslim League
• The Government of Indian send the
Instrument of Accession to the Nawab of
Junagadh
• On August 13th, 1947, Sir Shah Nawaz
Bhutto, the DEWAN (or Chief Minister) of
Junagadh replied that the matter was
under consideration.
• On 15th August 1947 Junagadh
announced its accession to Pakistan
• Menon was the political
advisor of the last
Viceroy of India, Lord
Louis Mountbatten.
• Menon's
resourcefulness during
this period caught the
eye of Sardar Patel, who
would become the
Deputy Prime Minister
of India in 1947.
• Menon said he had brought a message
from the Indian Government and wished
to deliver it to the Nawab in person.
• Bhutto said he could not arrange a
meeting with the Nawab as he was not
feeling well.
• Menon expressed displeasure, but conveyed
the message of the Indian Government to
Bhutto, insisting that Junagadh should
withdraw its accession to Pakistan.
• Bhutto told Menon that the accession was
now complete and that according to
international law only the Government of
Pakistan was responsible.
• Menon went to Bombay and met
Samaldas Gandhi, a journalist of Rajkot
who was related to Mohandas Gandhi,
and others, and unfolded the scheme of
"Arziee Hukumat" (Provisional (temporary)
Government).
Samaldas Gandhi
• Samaldas Gandhi
was an Indian
freedom fighter who
headed the Aarzi
Hukumat or
Temporary
Government of the
erstwhile princely
state of Junagadh
• On 24 September 1947, Mohandas K.
Gandhi condemned the action of the
Junagadh government in a prayer
meeting held at Delhi.
• Menon immediately rushed to see
Jawaharlal Nehru and explained the
situation.
• After consultation with Sardar Vallabh
Bhai Patel, the home minister and other
ministers, a formal order was drafted and
a notification issued announcing the
take-over of Junagadh at the request of
its Chief Minister.
• The Congress was able to tackle the problem
of the Indian States successfully and the credit
goes to Sardar Patel, Lord Mountbatten and
Mr. V. P. Menon
• Sardar Patel was the head of the State
Ministry
• An Instrument for Accession of States was
drawn up which was acceptable to the Princes
STANDSTILL AGREEMENT
• There was a lot of correspondence with the
between the Government of India and the
Government of Pakistan and also singed a
STANDSTILL AGREEMENT
• There is no doubt about the fact that there
were prolonged secret negotiations between
the Nawab and the Dewan on one hand and
the Government of Pakistan
Liaquat Ali Khan
• On 25th September
1947 the Prime
Minister of Pakistan
sent a telegram to
the Government of
India in which it
asserted that the
Nawab of Junagadh
had every right to
Pakistan
Rulers of other State
• The Jam Saheb of Nawanagar told the
Indian Government if the latter did not
take immediate steps the people would
lose faith in the Indian government
• There were also rumors that Pakistan
had offered military assistance to
Junagadh
• The situation in Junagadh was
deteriorating day by day
• More than a lakh of Hindus ran away
from Junagadh
• Law and order of Kathiawar practically
collapsed
• Samaldas headed a government-in-exile
created by citizens of Junagadh to reflect the
wishes of its majority population who wished
the state to become part of India instead
• Samaldas Gandhi is widely remembered in
Junagadh and the state of Gujarat today as a
hero and patriot.
• There are several schools, public foundations
and hospitals named after him
• When the Nawab of Junagadh found that
help from Pakistan was not enough to
keep him on the throne, he ran away
from the state along with his family
members jewellery, cash and State
Treasury
• Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto continued as
Dewan of the State of Junagadh
• Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto suggested to Jinnah as
the people were suffering that immediately a
conference be arranged of the representatives
of the Dominion to decide the Junagadh case
• Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto opened negotiation
with Samaldas Gandhi on 7th November 1947
through Captain Harvey Jones Senior Member
of the Junagadh State Council
• Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto requested
Samaldas Gandhi to take the reins and
restore law and order in the State
• However the Muslims of Junagadh ask
Nawaz Bhutto to had it over to Mr. Buch
who was the regional Commissioner of
Western India and Gujarat States.
• Under the circumstances Mr. Buch took over
the administration on 9th November 1947
• Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto left for Karachi a day
earlier
• The Government of India arranged for a
referendum (a vote on such a measure.) of the people of
Junagadh with regard to the accession
• The referendum took place on 20th
February 1948
• Only 91 voters voted for accession to
Pakistan out of a total of 2,01,457
• It was in this way that the problem of
Junagadh was solved.
• On 17th September, 1947, the
Government of India decided to
disperse troops around Junagadh
acceding the State to be occupied
• However there were strict orders
that Junagadh was not to be
occupied
• On September 24th 1947, the
government of India decided that a
brigade should be dispersed to
Kaithawar to protect the other States
which had acceded to India
• On 8 November, Bhutto sent a letter to Buch,
Provincial Head of the Indian Government in
Rajkot, requesting him to help to restore law
and order in Junagadh to prevent bloodshed.
• Harvey Johnson took the message to Rajkot.
• The head of the Indian administration
telephoned V. P. Menon in Delhi and read out
the letter.
Entry of Indian forces
• Soon columns of Indian tanks and other
vehicles carrying Indian soldiers entered
Junagadh state. At 6 p.m. on 9 November,
– Captain Harvey Johnson and
– Chief Secretary Gheewala,
• a civil servant of Junagadh state, formally
handed over the charge of the State to the
Indian Government.
• On the same day, Nehru sent a telegram
to Liaquat Ali Khan about the Indian take-
over of Junagadh.
• Khan sent a return telegram to Nehru
stating that Junagadh was Pakistani
territory, and nobody except the Pakistan
government was authorised to invite
anybody to Junagadh.
• He also accused the Indian Government
of aggression on Pakistan's territory and
of violating international law.
• The Government of Pakistan strongly
opposed the Indian occupation.
Nehru wrote
• In view of special circumstances pointed out
by Junagadh Dewan that is the Prime Minister
of Junagadh – our Regional Commissioner at
Rajkot has taken temporarily charge of
Junagadh administration.
• This has been done to avoid disorder and
resulting chaos.
• We have, however, no desire to continue this
arrangement and wish to find a speedy solution
in accordance with the wishes of the people of
Junagadh.
• We have pointed out to you previously that
final decision should be made by means of
referendum or plebiscite.
• We would be glad to discuss this question and
allied matters affecting Junagadh with
representatives of your Government at the
earliest possible moment convenient to you.
• We propose to invite Nawab of Junagadh to
send his representatives to this conference.
• The Government of Pakistan protested, saying
that the accession of the state to Pakistan was
already accepted.
• In reply to the above telegram, the Prime Minister of
Pakistan sent the following:
• Your telegram informing that your Government had
taken charge of Junagadh was received by me on
November 10, 1947.
• Your action in taking over State Administration and
sending Indian troops to state without any authority
from Pakistan Government and indeed without our
knowledge, is a clear violation of Pakistan territory
and breach of International law.
• Indian Government’s activities on accession of
Junagadh to Pakistan have all been directed to
force the State to renounce accession and all
kinds of weapons have been used by you to
achieve this end.
• We consider your action in taking charge of
Junagadh Administration and sending Indian
troops to occupy Junagadh to be a direct act of
hostility against Pakistan Dominion.
• We demand that you should immediately
withdraw your forces, and relinquish
charge of administration to the rightful
ruler and stop people of Union of India
from invading Junagadh and committing
acts of violence.
• This was the followed by a Press
Statement made by the Prime Minister of
Pakistan.
• It was communicated to Prime Minister of India on
November 16, 1947 and read as follows:
• In spite of the gravest provocation, we have refrained
from any action which should result in armed conflict.
• We could with full justification and legal right could
have sent our forces to Junagadh but at no time since
the accession of state, was a single soldier sent by us
to Junagadh and our advice throughout to the State
Authorities was to exercise the greatest restraint
• Manavadar, another State which had
acceded to Pakistan and Mangrol and
Babariawad have also been occupied by
Indian troops.
• Immediately after the take-over of the
state, all rebel Muslim officials of the
state were put behind the bars.
• They included Ismail Abrehani, a senior minister in
the Junagadh government, who had taken the
instrument of Accession to Jinnah for his signature.
• Abrehani refused to leave Junagadh, even when he
was offered in jail the option of going to Pakistan,
saying that despite its occupation Junagadh was
part of Pakistan according to international law and
he preferred to remain.
• He stayed and later died in Junagadh
Plebiscite
• A plebiscite was held on 20 February
1948, in which all but 91 out of 190,870
who voted (from an electorate of
201,457) voted to join India, i.e. 99% of
the population voted to join India
• Menon's reaction
• V. P. Menon, the Secretary of the States
department of the Government of India,
travelled to Junagadh on 17 September
1947 and met Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the
DEWAN (or Chief Minister) of Junagadh.
• Lord Mountbatten endorsed the appeal made
by Sardar Patel and advised the Indian States
to accede to one or the other Dominions
before August 15th 1947.
• Lord Mountbatten also stated that it was due
to the efforts of Sardar Patel that practically
all states had signed the Instrument of
Accession.
• Junagadh was an important State in the group
of the Kathiawar States
• This State had no geographical contiguity with
Pakistan
• More than 80 % population was Hindu
• The railway, post and telegraph were integral
part of the Indian system
• The notification promised a referendum in due
course.
• Bhutto left Junagadh for Karachi on the night
of 8 November 1947.
• On 9 November, the Indian Air Force flew
several sorties (the flying of an airplane on a combat mission) at
low level over Junagadh
• Junagadh was a very
interesting case in the
sense that while more than
80 percent of the
population consisted of
Hindus, the Nawab was a
Muslim and under pressure
from Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto
he decided to merge
Junagadh with Pakistan
completely disregarding the
will of the people.
• This was completely
unacceptable to Sardar
Patel.
• While discussing
the qualities of
Sardar Patel - the
Iron Man of India
– it is difficult to
forget the fact
that despite
possessing the
best
administrative
qualities
• Sensing support from Indian
army, the people of Junagadh
revolted and formed a civil
government ( Aarzi
Hukumat).
• Both Nawab and Bhutto fled
to Pakistan and Indian army
entered Junagadh under
Patel’s order.
• Later on, a plebiscite was
conducted and an
overwhelming majority of
99.5 percent opted for merger
with India.
• Sardar Patel was
denied what he
deserved on
merit but even
today he
commands
respect as
India’s most
admired political
administrator.

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INTEGRATION OF JUNAGADH

• Junagadh was a princely state of India, located

• Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji

Crown over the princely states would

• Sir Shah Nawaz

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