Junagadh celebrates its independence day today

Junagadh, 9 November 2013

While the rest of nation celebrates its Independence Day on August 15, erstwhile princely state of Junagadh has a special day to commemorate the occasion for its own. Like every year, this year too, denizens celebrated Junagadh Independence Day with pomp and glory on November 9.

After the Britishers decided to leave India, Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III, Nawab(Muslim ruler) of Junagadh wanted Junagadh to join with Pakistan on September 15, 1947 and not India disregarding the fact that Junagadh was geographically not connected to Pakistan.

Soon Sardar Patel intervened and took the task of Junagadh in his hands. Sardar Patel motivated majority people of Junagadh who didn’t want to join Pakistan and inspired formation of Aarzi Hakumat (people’s rule). A group of Junagadh citizens formed Aarzi Hukumat under the leadership of Shamaldas Gandhi to spearhead the freedom struggle.

As part of the offensive launched against Nawab, the government suspended supplies of fuel and coal to Junagadh, snapped air and postal links, deployed army around the city and brought Mangrol and Babariawad, parts of Junagadh state, under its control.

Aarzi Hakumat started marching towards Junagadh. Finally, succumbing to the military onslaught, Nawab along with his family fled to Pakistan. The then Junagadh court, in the wake of Nawab’s fleeing, formally invited the Indian government to take control of the state’s administration on November 9, 1947.