Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Junagadh's Accession to India: A People's Struggle and Democratic Verdict
Imagine a big candy shop that was supposed to join one of two new clubs, India or Pakistan.
Most of the kids in the candy shop were Hindu, but the owner, the Nawab, liked Pakistan more.
So, he said the shop would join Pakistan.
This made everyone else very scared, and many people ran away.
Some brave people started their own little group to fight for the shop to join India.
The Indian government, led by a strong leader named Sardar Patel, helped them.
Eventually, the Nawab ran away with his dogs, and the shop was given to India.
Later, everyone got to vote, and almost all of them chose to join India.
Now, the candy shop is a happy part of India, even though Pakistan still sometimes says it belongs to them.
Junagadh, a princely state with a Hindu majority, was ruled by a Muslim dynasty.
Despite a Hindu majority, the Nawab, influenced by his Diwan Shahnawaz Bhutto, announced accession to Pakistan on August 15, 1947.
This decision caused fear among Hindus, leading to an exodus and the formation of the Arzi Hukumat (Provisional Government).
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the Indian government intervened, supporting the Arzi Hukumat and neighboring states.
A plebiscite held on February 20, 1948, overwhelmingly favored Junagadh joining India, which became official on November 9, 1947.
- Who
- The princely state of Junagadh, its Nawab, the Arzi Hukumat (Provisional Government), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Shahnawaz Bhutto, and the people of Junagadh.
- What
- The accession of the princely state of Junagadh to the Union of India after its ruler attempted to accede to Pakistan.
- When
- The decision to accede to Pakistan was announced on August 15, 1947, and Junagadh officially became part of India on November 9, 1947, with a plebiscite confirming the decision on February 20, 1948.
- Where
- Junagadh, a princely state in the Kathiawar region, now part of Gujarat, India.
- Why
- The Nawab, influenced by his Diwan Shahnawaz Bhutto, decided to accede to Pakistan despite a Hindu majority population. This led to public unrest, the formation of the Arzi Hukumat, and intervention by Sardar Patel, ultimately resulting in a plebiscite favoring India.
- Date of Accession
- November 9, 1947
- Previous Ruler
- Nawab Mahabat Khan Rasul Khan
- Prime Minister/Diwan at Accession
- Shahnawaz Bhutto
- Majority Population
- Hindu (approx. 82%)
- Plebiscite Date
- February 20, 1948
- Plebiscite Result
- 91 votes for Pakistan, overwhelming majority for India