Junagadh State
In 1654, Muhammad Sher Khan Babai established the Babi Pashtun dynasty in Junagadh. His family rose from a Parmar Rajput background to rule southern Saurashtra. The Mughal Empire collapsed during the reign of Mohammad Mahabat Khanji I. This ruler declared independence from the Mughal governor of Gujarat subah in 1730. He founded the state of Junagarh that same year. For decades, the Babis retained sovereignty over their territories and other princely states. During this period, Junagadh served as a tributary to the Maratha Empire. The transition to British suzerainty occurred in 1807 under Mohammad Hamid Khanji I. This shift followed the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
The East India Company took control of the state in 1807. By 1818, the Kathiawar Agency administered the Saurashtra area separately. British India managed these princely states through this agency structure. A coat of arms was granted to Muhammed Mahabat Khanji II at the Durbar in Delhi in 1877. This emblem remained in use until 1947. The Nawabs received a 13 gun salute from British authorities. This honor marked their status within the colonial hierarchy. The administrative changes solidified British influence over the region for nearly two centuries.
Mansa Khant led a rebellion against Nawab Sher Khan during the early years of the dynasty. Uparkot Fort became his center of operations. He made raids into surrounding villages and cities repeatedly. Mansa Khant occupied Uparkot for 13 months while conducting numerous countryside raids. Nawab Sher Khan failed to suppress the uprising initially. Thakur Sahib Haloji Jadeja ruled Gondal State and assisted the nawab. Arab Jamadar Sheikh Abdullah Zubeidi joined the campaign as well. Combined forces defeated Mansa Khant and captured Uparkot. The rebellion was crushed after this military engagement.
Shah Nawaz Bhutto joined the council of ministers in 1947. He became dewan or prime minister by May that year. Constitutional Advisor Nabi Baksh recommended joining India to Lord Mountbatten. Dewan Bhutto advised otherwise on the 15th of August 1947. The Nawab announced Junagadh had acceded to Pakistan on that date. The Government of Pakistan accepted the accession on September 16. India sent its military into Junagadh while the Nawab remained in Pakistan. Muhammad Mahabat Khan III lived in exile in Sindh, Pakistan following the annexation.
India annexed Junagadh in 1948 after capturing the state. A plebiscite held the same year legitimized the integration. Locals voted to stay with India during the ballot count. The last Babi dynasty ruler lost his throne permanently. The Union of India absorbed the territory into its borders. This process followed the partition of British India. The political maneuvering surrounding the decision created immediate tension between the two new nations.
Pakistan maintains a territorial claim over Junagadh on official maps today. The government also claims Manavadar and Sir Creek in Gujarat. Devirupa Mitra reported this dispute in The Wire on the 18th of May 2016. Philip Jagessar documented the contested accession at the University of Nottingham in October 2019. Sultan Ahmed Ali took oath as Dewan of Junagadh State on the 10th of December 2020. These actions reflect continued diplomatic friction despite historical resolution. Modern political maps still display Pakistan's sovereignty claim over the erstwhile princely state.
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Common questions
When did Muhammad Sher Khan Babai establish the Babi Pashtun dynasty in Junagadh State?
Muhammad Sher Khan Babai established the Babi Pashtun dynasty in Junagadh State in 1654. His family rose from a Parmar Rajput background to rule southern Saurashtra.
Who declared independence for Junagadh State and when did this occur?
Mohammad Mahabat Khanji I declared independence from the Mughal governor of Gujarat subah on the 2nd of May 1730. He founded the state of Junagarh that same year.
What happened during Mansa Khant's rebellion against Nawab Sher Khan in Junagadh State?
Mansa Khant occupied Uparkot Fort for 13 months while conducting numerous countryside raids into surrounding villages and cities. Combined forces led by Thakur Sahib Haloji Jadeja and Arab Jamadar Sheikh Abdullah Zubeidi defeated Mansa Khant and captured Uparkot.
Why did the Nawab announce Junagadh State acceded to Pakistan on the 15th of August 1947?
Dewan Shah Nawaz Bhutto advised joining India but the Nawab announced Junaghad had acceded to Pakistan on the 15th of August 1947 instead. The Government of Pakistan accepted the accession on September 16.
When did India annex Junagadh State after capturing the territory?
India annexed Junagadh State in 1948 after capturing the state. A plebiscite held the same year legitimized the integration as locals voted to stay with India during the ballot count.
Who took oath as Dewan of Junagadh State on the 10th of December 2020?
Sultan Ahmed Ali took oath as Dewan of Junagadh State on the 10th of December 2020. These actions reflect continued diplomatic friction despite historical resolution regarding modern political maps displaying Pakistan's sovereignty claim over the erstwhile princely state.