Annexation of Junagadh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

Annexation of Junagadh

Date	February 1948
Location	Junagadh State
Status	Indian victory

Belligerents

Union of India

State of Junagadh

Commanders and leaders

Jawaharlal Nehru

Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III

In February 1948, a region called Junagadh became part of India. Junagadh was a "princely state." This means it was ruled by its own local leader, called a Nawab, but was also connected to the British.

When India became independent from British rule in 1947, these princely states had a choice. They could join either the new country of India or Pakistan.

Junagadh was ruled by Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III. He was a Muslim. His family had ruled Junagadh for about 200 years.

The Nawab decided that Junagadh should join Pakistan. However, most people in Junagadh were Hindus, about 80%. They were not happy with this decision.

The Nawab officially joined Pakistan on August 15, 1947. This was against the advice of Lord Mountbatten, who was a top British official in India. The Nawab argued that Junagadh could connect to Pakistan by sea.

Two smaller areas, Babariawad and Mangrol, then said they were independent from Junagadh. They wanted to join India instead.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan's leader, waited a month before accepting Junagadh's decision. When Pakistan accepted it on September 16, India was upset. India's leaders, like Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel, felt that Junagadh should be part of India.

Junagadh was surrounded by India on land. It only had a sea connection to the Arabian Sea. Trade with India stopped, and food became scarce. The Nawab feared for his safety and left for Karachi in Pakistan.

Vallabhbhai Patel suggested that Pakistan should change its mind. He also proposed a vote, called a plebiscite, for the people of Junagadh. Many people in India were protesting the Nawab's decision.

About 25,000 to 30,000 people gathered in Bombay (now Mumbai). They wanted to "free" Junagadh. Samaldas Gandhi formed a temporary government called Aarzi Hukumat. Eventually, India took control of Junagadh.

A vote was held in December 1948. Almost all the people (about 99.95%) voted to join India.

How it Started
Joining the Countries
Temporary Government
Blockade and India Takes Control
The Vote (Plebiscite)
What Happened Next
See also

How it Started

After the British decided to divide India in 1947, princely states had three choices. They could join India, Pakistan, or stay independent.

At first, Junagadh's leaders seemed to suggest they would join India. But some politicians from the All-India Muslim League joined Junagadh's government. One key official, Shah Nawaz Bhutto, met with Jinnah. Jinnah told him to wait until August 15.

So, Junagadh kept giving the impression it would join India. But just four days before India's independence, the Nawab decided to join Pakistan. He sent a group to Pakistan to discuss the terms.

This went against Lord Mountbatten's idea that only states bordering Pakistan should join it. The Nawab and Pakistan argued that Junagadh was close enough to Pakistan by sea.

Junagadh also had ties with nearby states like Mangrol and Babariawad. India argued that Junagadh no longer had a say in their decisions. India's leader, Nehru, warned that if Junagadh didn't respect Mangrol and Babariawad's choices, India would send forces.

India also shared information with the world press. They highlighted Junagadh's location within India and its population.

Joining the Countries

Both Mountbatten and another official, Ayyangar, agreed that Junagadh's decision to join Pakistan was legally correct. But Sardar Patel of India insisted that the people, not just the ruler, should decide. Nehru stated that India did not accept Junagadh joining Pakistan.

Later, at the United Nations, India argued that the Nawab ignored the wishes of his people. India avoided focusing on the legal side of the agreement. This was because it could affect another region, Kashmir.

Temporary Government

Samaldas Gandhi, a relative of Mahatma Gandhi, formed a temporary government in Bombay. This government was called the Aarzi Hukumat. It had support from various groups in India.

Samaldas Gandhi and other leaders met in Bombay in August 1947. They formed a committee and then declared the Aarzi Hukumat on September 25, 1947.

The members of this temporary government moved to Rajkot. Samaldas Gandhi became its "Prime Minister." This government managed to take control of 160 villages in about 40 days.

India allowed this temporary government to control areas around Junagadh. Later, at the United Nations, India denied directly supporting this government. Nehru said it was a "spontaneous expression of popular resentment."

Blockade and India Takes Control

To pressure the Nawab, the temporary government and volunteers created a blockade. This stopped supplies from reaching Junagadh. India later said it did not block supplies.

The blockade forced the Nawab to leave for Pakistan. He left the state's management to Shah Nawaz Bhutto. Bhutto had been a key person in the decision to join Pakistan.

Bhutto waited for Pakistan to send help, but none came. People in Junagadh were getting restless. The state had also formed a small force of Muslim men.

Fearing violence, the Indian Government took control of Junagadh on November 9, 1947. The Nawab's soldiers were disarmed. Bhutto left for Pakistan the day before.

Nehru sent a message to Pakistan's leader, Liaquat Ali Khan. He explained that India took over to prevent chaos. He also said India wanted a quick solution based on the people's wishes. Nehru suggested a vote (referendum or plebiscite) and offered to discuss it.

Liaquat Ali Khan replied that India's action was a "clear violation of Pakistan territory." After Indian troops arrived, there were reports of tensions and people leaving Junagadh for Pakistan.

India's Ministry of Law said that the Nawab's decision to join Pakistan was still legally valid. But India went ahead with the vote anyway, believing the result would be in its favor.

The Vote (Plebiscite)

A legal advisor, Walter Monckton, told Mountbatten that Pakistan's permission would be needed for any vote in Junagadh. This was because the Nawab had officially joined Pakistan.

Nehru changed his mind about having the United Nations oversee the vote. He said it wasn't necessary, but they could send observers. However, India made it clear they would not delay the vote for observers.

The vote was held on February 20, 1948. Out of 190,870 people who voted, all but 91 chose to join India. This means 99.95% voted for India.

Some newspapers, like the Daily Telegraph and Pakistan's Dawn, raised concerns about how the vote was organized. Pakistan called India's actions a "discourtesy."

Out of Junagadh's total population, India received 222,184 votes and Pakistan received 130 votes. Only 15% of the Muslim population voted, while 30% of the non-Muslim population voted.

What Happened Next

After six months of Indian administration, three civilian members joined the government of Junagadh in June 1948. Elections were held in December 1948 for the region's assembly. All seven members from the Indian National Congress were elected without opposition. They all voted to merge Junagadh with Saurashtra State. This merger was completed in January 1949.

In 1956, Saurashtra State joined with Bombay State. Then, in 1960, Bombay State was divided into Gujarat and Maharashtra. Today, Junagadh district is part of Gujarat.

Pakistan took the case of Junagadh to the United Nations in January 1948. The UN asked its commission on Kashmir to look into the Junagadh conflict. However, the conflict over Kashmir became more important at the UN. So, the Junagadh case is still officially unresolved at the United Nations. Pakistan's official maps still show Junagadh as Pakistani territory.