Nawab of Junagadh

Introduction of His Highness The Nawab Sahab of Junagadh Nawab Muhammad Jahangir Khanji.

The history of Junagadh is filled by the rules of the Mauryans, Kshatrapas, Guptas, Vilabhis, Chudasamas, Gujarat Sultans and Babi Nawabs. Junagadh, at different times in history, was under the influence of four major religions. Hindu, Bhuddhist, Jain and Muslim. Both political powers and religious influences enriched the culture and left their mark on the architecture of Junagadh.

Junagadh was the capital of the Junagadh State under the Muslim rulers who were Nawabs of the Babi dynasty. In Gujarati, `Junagadh' literally means an ancient fort. The Junagadh town is located at the foothills of Girnar range and occupies a special place in the history of Gujarat. The ruler of Junagadh, Nawab Mahobat Khan II (1851-82 AD) undertook the beatification of Junagadh and patronized the construction of several buildings and urban design projects like Aina Mahal, Circle Chowk with clock tower and Dewan Chowk. Other important buildings of the Nawabi period are Bahauddin College, Manoranjan Guest House, Mahobat Madresa etc.

The rest of the buildings such as :

1. Junagadh State Railways was opened on 1st April 1911.

2. Bahadur Khanji High School foundation was laid in February 1916 by H.E.Lord Willingdon G.C.I.E, Governor of Bombay.

3. Bahadur Khanji Library was officially declared open on 15th August 1920.

4. Mahabat Khan-Madrasat-ul-Maulla for free education was opened by Nawab Sahab on 8th January 1922.

5. Mahabat Khanji infantry came in to existence on 1st February 1924.

6. Indian Red Cross Society, Junagadh Branch opened on 1st April 1925.

7. The famous Willingdon Dam was officially opened on 10th January 1916.

8. Bahadur Khanji library declared open in 1867.

9. Mahabat Madrassa foundation was laid in 1883.

10. Leper Hospital was opened in 1893 by H.R.H. Prince Albert Victor.

11. Bahauddin College foundation stone was laid in 1897.

12. Also in 1897, foundation stones were laid of Bahadur Khanji Library, Museum and the RasulKhanji Hospital.

13. Civil water works foundation was laid in 1906.

14. Junagadh State Electric works was laid by the Nawab Sahab on 20th August 1928.

And others were also built during the times of the Babi Dynasty of the Nawabs of Junagadh.

Before independence, Mountbatten had made clear to the Nawabs that they would have to choose to join either India or Pakistan at the time of partition. The issue of Kashmir, Hyderabad, and the State of Junagadh (in present-day Gujarat), remained unsettled at independence, however. The Muslim ruler of Junagadh agreed to join to Pakistan, but what followed was the Indian military aggression, on the state on November 9th 1947.

Junagadh State is one such state where education was totally free and poor people could get free food. Junagadh is a big state, which consisted of 999 cities, towns and villages. Junagadh had its own currency, an airport, a railway system and 16 sea ports, small and big, the largest was Verawal. Bahauddin College was a famous College of Junagadh state from where prominent personalities of Pakistan and India acquired their education.

The 11th Nawab of Junagadh State Nawab Jahangir Khanji is the son of Nawab Dilawar Khanji and grandson of Nawab Mahabat Khanji. He was born in 1955 in Karachi. He acquired his schooling in Karachi and then went to Switzerland for higher studies and completed his Graduation there. On October 9, 1991, he was installed as the 11th Nawab of Junagadh State. He deeply feels the miseries and destitution of the people of Junagadh and is instrumental in remediation of their problems following the footsteps of his fore bearers. Pakistan has filed a case in the United Nations against the Indian aggression on Junagadh soil, where the case is still lying pending before the United Nations to this day''. Junagadh continues to figure on the official map of Pakistan as part of its territory along Kashmir. Nawab Jahangir Khanji is very hopeful about the issue of Junagadh and believes he will be able to impart all his efforts for the settlement of the issue and the welfare for the people of Junagadh, the eco-system and wildlife etc after the settlement of this issue very soon.

Interview with KalPoint.com

KalPoint: When and where were you born and please tell us something about your family background.

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: I was born in 1955 in Karachi. I acquired my basic education in Karachi and then went to Switzerland for higher studies. On October 9, 1991, I was installed as the 11th Nawab of Junagadh State. My forefathers belong to Kandhar (Afghanistan). They enter India at the time of emperor Humayon. They worked with the Mughal emperors as their Governors or Generals. Acknowledging their services, Mughal emperors awarded their services with large tracts of lands.

After Mughals, treaties were signed with the British by our forefathers. In order to continue their support and help they asked to surrender some of their sovereign rights. During the rule of their fore bearers, the State of Junagadh was a land of honey and milk. The total area of the state is almost 4000 square/miles. It was a crops paradise; all major crops were planted at that time. There were flat lands, mountains and adjoining jungle with a beach. The wood acquired from the jungles was used for construction purposes. The ports played a crucial role in the earnings of the state. Today it could be converted in to a multi-million dollars industry and I would like to see that very much.

My heart bleeds for the poor masses in Junagadh. Today they are reduced to traveling on bicycles and rickshaws. The Indian establishment has neglected the state so badly that there is hardly any development in the region, whereas this region could become the most highly generated financial area in entire India.

KalPoint: What were the situations of the state when India occupied Junagadh?

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: Naturally there were some disturbances. There was a man named Samar Das Gandhi who was a journalist and was the relative of Mahatma Gandhi. He established a temporary Government in Rajkot and entered in to Junagadh. Actually Indian army was on his back. We were expecting more disturbances but it couldn’t happen due to brotherhood between Hindus and Muslims in our state of Junagadh as there were a lot of love and understanding amongst all religions. It was much better then was in other places of India. When Nawab Sahab came here to Pakistan, naturally he left a vacuum there. Collapses in administration occurred and of course when administration collapses it brings about civil disorders.

KalPoint: Didn’t anyone resist Indian aggression?

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: There was no resistance. Junagadh had signed a treaty of accession with Pakistan in which three ministries were handed over to Pakistan to perform and act in a positive manner. Pakistan didn’t take any steps after signing the treaty, whereby Defense was one of the express subjects, along with foreign affairs and communications. However after the Indian takeover of the State, Pakistan filed a case in the United Nations where the case is pending up to this very day ever since 1947. it maybe furthermore added that Pakistan didn’t send a single soldier. Instead Nawab Sahab was asked to come to Pakistan, and this created a vacuum and after he left the State there was as total collapse of Administration and an atmosphere of Civil disorder.

It was indeed a breach of trust after the instrument of accession was signed by Pakistan & Junagadh State on September 15, 1947 and on the 9th of November 1947 India occupied Junagadh State. Quaid-e-Azam promised our family designated seats In the Federal Legislative Assembly of Pakistan. Anyways it was a great injustice to my family.

KalPoint: What efforts are you doing for taking back Junagadh state?

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: As you know “Might is right”. We are trying to get back Junagadh state through peaceful means. We are civilized people and don’t like and believe in war. War is a very destructive idea for both sides. I would like to meet The President of Pakistan and want to discuss with him the issue of Junagadh. Also I want to meet International think tanks, organizations and personalities in U.S.A and UK, but it is the share responsibility of the Government of Pakistan to bring it in the forefront and should disclose it especially on media and on International level. But one thing is for sure that I want to solve this issue in my lifetime. India and Pakistan should solve these issues, including the Nawab Sahab or his representative, in such a dialogue. It should be a tri-lateral talks and it would be fruitful.

KalPoint: How do you feel as 11th Nawab of Junagadh?

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: It was great honor for me. I cannot explain in words. KalPoint: How do you keep in touch with the people of Junagadh state?

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: I haven’t visited India as yet but I have many relatives, friends and lovers in Junagadh. In near future i am planning to visit Junagadh. People from Junagadh keep visiting me from time by time. I regularly meet them and am well aware of their well-beings and their problems as well.

KalPoint: What do you say about the current ongoing better relationships between Pakistan & India?

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: I think the relationship between Pakistan and India will go a long way. Pakistan and India should continue with their dialogue, they can settle their differences by paving the way which would lead the entire region of the South Asia towards peace, progress and prosperity and this is what our region would want now and in the future. It would only be wise to settle all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan including Kashmir and Junagadh.

KalPoint: What is your future plans for the social welfare?

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: I have planned to launch the Nawab of Junagadh Foundation Trust. Its aim will be totally for social welfare and betterment of humanity. It will give preference to Information Technology in Nawab of Junagadh Foundation Trust because it is a need of present and future. We wish Mr. Hanif S. Kalia could direct us in establishing IT section. We request Kalia group to come & work with us and guide us in the uplifting of IT in the society. I was happy to learn that Mr. Kalia is in association with Mr. Bill Gates of Microsoft.

KalPoint: We would like to have your comments on work done by Kalia Group to endorse the field of Information Technology in the country

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: I highly respect the services of Mr. Hanif S. Kalia. He has made lots of contribution not only in the field of IT but social services as well. As far as IT is concerned the commendable role of Kalia Group is a role model for not only Pakistan but for the whole world as well. People of Junagadh and I are grateful to Mr. Hanif S. Kalia. May Allah bless you people and I wish you very best of luck for the future.

KalPoint: If you were made Prime Minister of the country, what initial steps would you take?

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: I never thought about it and it is also not possible but if I will be Prime Minister I’ll rule the federation the same way as my ancestors ruled Junagadh. Junagadh adopted a concept of social welfare where education, food & medical facilities were free. So definitely I will work on the same pattern.

KalPoint: Which category of KalPoint.com did you like most?

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: All of the categories are with numerous aims and objectives but what I liked most are Education (www.edupk.com) and Employment (www.jobspk.com). No doubt Kalpoint.com is the largest portal of Pakistan.

KalPoint: Any message for the youthNawab Jahangir Khanji: The future is going to evolve with Satellites, Computers & IT etc. I would advise them to enter into fields like IT and Media for bright future.

Kalpoint: Any message for the Government of Pakistan:

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: They should give us time. They should meet us and help us for solving Junagadh issue as soon as possible.

Kalpoint: Any message for Junagadh’s PeopleNawab Jahangir Khanji: I am very thirsty to meet you people. I want to come there to do social work for the people. It is my wish to see good relationships of Pakistan & India. I request especially youth of Junagadh that kindly inform me of your opinion. KalPoint: Thank you very much Nawab Sahab, We came to know history of immense significance. We believe our Netizens will learn too. C U On Net.

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: Thank you and C U On Net 2.
Questions by Netizens
Q: What is the status of Junagadh and is it accepted on International Level? (Salma-Peshawar)

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: Yes Off course! Junagadh is a legal state, which is under occupation by India illegally. The case is lying pending in United Nation since 1947. Junagadh state also exists today.

Q: What was the ratio of Hindus and Muslims in your state? Were Hindus enjoying their rights equally? (Rawal – New Delhi)

Nawab Jahangir Khanji: As far Hindus Muslims are concerned, 60% were Hindus and 40% were Muslims.Yes absolutely Hindus had equal rights in Junagadh. if one has any doubt, visit Junagadh and ask natives of the state. Hindus still remember the rule of Nawab family. Our family provided them equal rights in all aspect of their lives. Nawabs used to say that our one eye is for Muslims and one eye is for Hindus. They had equal opportunity around the state even in administration side as well. I feel very proud to say that Hindus still love us.

We have a pleasure to announce in the end that the launching of the Junagadh State website will be held soon.