Muhammad Mahabat Khan III

Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji (2 August 1900-7 November 1959) was the last ruling Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh in British India from 1911 to 1947. Famed for his extravagance and his love of dogs, his decision to accede his relatively small princely state of Junagadh which was land locked in India with the Dominion of Pakistan during partition of India at Independence which led to the Indian Army taking military action. He is credited with successfully continuing the pioneering conservation effort which saved the world's last few Asiatic Lions, that were by then only left on his territory, from almost certain extinction.

Early life

Nawabzada Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III was born on 2 August 1900 at Junagadh, the fourth son of HH Nawab Sir Muhammad Rasul Khanji, GCSI (1858–1911; r. 1892-1911). As the fourth son, Mahabat was not expected to succeed to the musnaid of Junagadh; however, following the death of his three elder brothers by the time he was eight, he was made heir apparent, and succeeded his father upon his death in 1911. Mahabat was educated at Mayo College, and ruled under a regency until his formal accession on 31 March 1920. The following year, he was raised to a 15-gun personal and local gun salute; in 1926, he was knighted.

The Animal-loving Nawab of Junagadh

As Nawab, Mahabat Khanji was (and still is) known for his extreme love of animals, particularly dogs; at one point, the Nawab possessed over 300 canines and would later be much celebrated (and maligned) for spending thousands of rupees on grand birthday and marriage parties for his favourites.^[1] However, Mahabat Khanji's love for animals also extended to the regional wildlife, particularly the Asiatic lion, which at the time was on the verge of extinction. The Nawab helped to forestall this by preserving vast tracts of the Gir forest in order to provide the lions with a stable habitat. He was also interested in animal husbandry, and his efforts in the field served to greatly improve the breeding stock of the local Kathiawadi stallions and of the Gir cows.

His largesse was not confined to animals, however; during his reign, the Nawab saw the opening of the Willingdon Dam, the construction of the Bahadur Khanji library (named after his ancestor, the first Nawab) and the opening of the Mahabat Khan College.

The Accession Conflict

Main article: Indian Integration of Junagadh

At the time of Indian independence in 1947, all of the princely states were ordered to accede to either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. Although the majority of the rulers chose to accede to India, several states, including Hyderabad, Kashmir and Junagadh which held minority Muslim populations or were ruled by Muslims, saw a period of dispute over where to go.

In 1947, Junagadh was less than 20% Islamic in composition, including the ruler himself. The Nawab decided to accede to Pakistan on 15 August 1947, although the state was surrounded by India on three sides. There was no direct border with Pakistan. Also most of the Muslims, were split between accession to India or Pakistan. With Pakistan's acceptance of Junagadh's accession on 13 September, the Indian government took drastic action, inducing two of the Nawab's vassals to accede to India for recognition as independent states. At the same time, the Congress Party sent political agitators to Junagadh to ferment rebellion against the Nawab, bringing about the downfall of the state administration. Terrified for his family and his life, Mahabat Khanji, his family (including his dogs) and his prime minister, Shah Nawaz Bhutto, fled by plane to Pakistan on 24 October, never to return.

The Indian Army then took Junagadh on 9 November, installed a new state governor, and called for a public referendum on the status of the state. The referendum, arranged by the Indian government, was held on 20 February 1948; of over 200,000 people who voted, a scant 91 chose Pakistan over India. The following year, on 20 January 1949, Junagadh was merged into the new Indian state of Saurashtra.

Exile and Death

After his exile from Junagadh, Mahabat Khanji and his family settled at Karachi, where he died, aged 59 on 17 November 1959 after a 48 year reign. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Dilawar Khanji.

Titles

• 1900-1908: Nawabzada Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji
• 1908-1911: Wali Ahad Bahadur Nawabzada Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji
• 1911-1926: His Highness Sri Diwan Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji, Nawab Sahib of Junagadh
• 1926-1931: His Highness Sri Diwan Nawab Sir Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji, Nawab Sahib of Junagadh, KCSI
• 1931-1937: His Highness Sri Diwan Nawab Sir Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji, Nawab Sahib of Junagadh, GCIE, KCSI
• 1937-1942: Captain His Highness Sri Diwan Nawab Sir Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji, Nawab Sahib of Junagadh, GCIE, KCSI
• 1942-1946: Major His Highness Sri Diwan Nawab Sir Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji, Nawab Sahib of Junagadh, GCIE, KCSI
• 1946-1959: Colonel His Highness Sri Diwan Nawab Sir Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III Rasul Khanji, Nawab Sahib of Junagadh, GCIE, KCSI

Honours

• Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John (GCStJ)-1911
• Delhi Durbar Medal-1911
• Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI)-1926
• Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)-1931
• King George V Silver Jubilee Medal-1935
• King George VI Coronation Medal-1937
• Pakistan Independence Medal-1948

References

1. ^ Roshni Johar, Passion royale for pampering pets, The Tribune, May 24, 2003

Sources

• Detailed biography

Persondata
Name	Muhammad Mahabat Khan III
Alternative names
Short description	Last ruling Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh
Date of birth	1900
Place of birth	Junagadh
Date of death	1959
Place of death	Karachi, Pakistan