Nawab of Junagarh


Nawab of Junagarh or Junagadh refers to the now defunct ex-lineage of rulers of the princely Junagarh State in British Raj, nowadays Junagadh district in the state of Gujarat in India. There are still several forts and palaces in India which were owned by princely Junagarh family but after Partition of India property claimed by the Indian Government.

List of Nawabs of Junagarh

Given below is the list of Nawabs who ruled in the princely Junagarh State before the Partition of India. After the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, the title of Nawab of Junagarh has no official status. It still carries respect in Pakistan and is used as a courtesy title.

Last Nawab

The Partition of India in 1947 resulted in the exile of Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III, who was the last ruling Nawab of Junagarh. The Nawab, being Muslim, was in favor of declaring the state as part of newly created Muslim majority Pakistan. For this purpose he signed the documents for incorporation of its state in Pakistan, but soon the state was surrounded and occupied by Indian forces and the nawab and his family fled to Pakistan. After his exile, he settled down in Pakistan and the Junagarh family resides at the 'Junagarh House' in Karachi, Pakistan.
After one year of occupation the Indian Government held a referendum asking the people of state to agree to be part of India.