Commentary

Indian Held Pak-Territory: Junagadh, The Paradise Lost
By Dr A. Khan
Chicago, IL

November 9, 2019 will mark the 72nd anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Junagadh, one of the princely states whose Ruler signed an instrument of Accession with Pakistan, in accordance with the Indian Independence Act 1947; the Instrument was also signed by the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam, and ratified by the constituent assembly of Pakistan. India, following similar modus operandi, later invaded and occupied the princely states of Kashmir and Hyderabad. Indian Held Pak-Territory, Junagadh: The Paradise Lost (2nd Edition, 2002), by Advocate Ismail Padhiar, published by Sajid Iqbal of Junagadh foundation Karachi, provides a detailed account of events that took place during the pre- and post-invasion periods.
Presenting the case of Junagadh in the preface of the book, the author observes: “Junagadh State was famous during the days when India was undivided. Junagadh was known to the Indian for its educational activities, facilities and accommodation to students from all over India. The Ruler who was known as Nawab Saheb was a philanthropist…Junagadh was known beyond the boundaries of undivided India, was a wealthy Muslim Merchant class, who were spread all over undivided India for carrying on their business and industries. They were in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma) Singapore and Far East countries and were respected traders and businessmen and multi-millionaires…there was harmony within the State between two major religious sects Hindus and Muslims. This was because of loyalty, love and faithfulness to the Ruler of the State and vice versa. We, the State subjects, though it would be our luck when Nawab Saheb, Sir Mahabat Khanji decided not to accede to India. We, State subjects were proud of this decision and we enjoyed the same. We never felt that Muslims of State subjects were in negligible percentage. Where I went and wherever I looked I always found Muslims were in formidable happy majority. All of a sudden there came a voice of Apostle of peace Gandhiji ‘there is temple of Somnath with Hindu majority.’ And without caring to find what is truth, population percentage of Muslims was propagated to be 20%. This absurdity could not be challenged. Everyone here and there accepted it as a Gospel Truth. The accession of Junagadh State with Pakistan was lawful and correct in every respect but due to the call of the Mahatma, the Indian Government rose up to undo it on 9th November 1947: Indian forces brutally massacred the State subjects and captured the sacred territory of Junagadh State, real land of Pakistan. Pakistan, which had accepted the accession of Junagadh, was bound to defend it against any aggression including Indian aggression. But Pakistan failed to defend it at the proper time…I was born in Verwal Port under Junagadh State in July 1927…I have received education up to matriculation from Bombay University. I was very cautious. I have gone around the state myself. I have seen each and everything that I have written in this book…This is a case of Junagadh and not only a Book of History or events or geography. The battle of Junagadh has to be fought. Junagadh has got to be freed from Indian clutches at any cost. This book will prepare the coming generations to regain the lost territory. I have named it as “Paradise Lost.” Junagadh was in fact a land, which was termed as Paradise. It is lost now but lost things are always to be regained and shall be the fifth Province of Pakistan,. InshaAllah.” The author narrates the story of Junagadh in eleven chapters.
In chapter I, discussing the historical background of accession, the author observes: “Before the declaration of independence there existed nearly 600 native states in British India. These states were divided into five categories according to area, population, and revenue. The rulers of the states were entitled to “honor” and authority according to their categories. Junagadh fell in category one, like Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir while Manawadar fell in category five…The Indian Independence 1947 gave independence to 600 native states. Each ruler of a native state: (1) Could remain independent, or (2) Accede to either of the two dominions, India or Pakistan…as soon as the declaration of 3rd June was made, the Hindu rulers of Cutch and Kathiawar decided to form union and remain independent. Maharaja of Jamnagar was made leader who came to Nawab of Junagadh with a proposal to form a union of all states of Cutch and Kathiawar with Nawab of Junagadh as the Union President. This union of Kathiawar states including Cutch was to remain independent. This scheme was carefully considered by the ruler of the Junagadh state, who finding it impractical, rejected the proposal. The Ruler of Junagadh thereafter immediately called the meeting of the members of the state council. After several days of deliberations and taking into consideration all aspects of the matter, the council [decided] to accede to Pakistan. Under the instructions of Quaid-i-Azam, Sir Zafarullah and other notable lawyers came to advise Nawab in the matter of accession to Pakistan. Quaid-i-Azam also sent Army officials to Junagadh and they were satisfied from the defense viewpoint. Quaid-i-Azam was also satisfied from their report. They had met the Nawab and the terms were settled. The Junagadh State deputation led by Mr Ismail Abrahimi, a senior member of the State Council and other high officials came to Karachi on August 12, 1947 with the “Instrument of Accession.” The delegation met Quaid-i-Azam and presented the “Instrument of Accession” signed by Nawab Saheb Sir Mahabat Khanji. The rulers of Manawadar, known as Khan Saheb of Manawadar, also sent a delegation with instrument of accession signed by the Khan saheb of Manawadar. The delegation was led by Mr Muhammed Hussain Memon, who was Sir Niyayadhis (Chief Justice) of the state of Manawadar ..The accession of Junagadh and Manawadar was approved by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on 15 September 1947 and the Quaid-i-Azam, Governor General of Pakistan, accepted and signed it. The accession became complete and final on 15 September 1947… (the author has reproduced the text of the Accession Instrument and the Schedule).”
Discussing the role of Lord Mountbatten, the last British viceroy, the author observers: “…Lord Mountbatten was retained by the Indian Congress with the only intention to use him as an instrument in compelling the hesitant native states to accede to India and prevent any Ruler to join Pakistan. Junagadh and Manawadar were the only exception. Tripura State annexed to East Pakistan was a thickly Muslim populated State, but its ruler was a Hindu. It was made to accede to India, although the state was located on the boundaries of East Pakistan. The Dogra ruler of Jammu and Kashmir was dethroned long before 15th August 1947 as a result of a movement against him and he had taken refuge in Delhi. He therefore had lost his status as Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. He could not legally sign any contract on behalf of the state. The Home Minister of India Mr Vallab Bhai Patel immediately approached him and obtained his signatures on the "Instrument of Accession" and no sooner the signatures were obtained, he ordered Indian troops to march into Jummu and Kashmir.
In Chapter II, discussing the legal aspect of Junagadh as Pakistan territory, the author observes: “…According to the constitution of Pakistan i.e. constitution of 1956, 1962 and 1973, it is clear that the state of Junagadh and Manawadar are an integral part of Pakistan constitutionally. The words "states which are accession" refer to only Junagadh and Manawadar. The other states which acceded to Pakistan were Khairpur, Swat, Chitral, Amb and Dir.
In Chapter III, the author presents an introduction to Junagadh State in terms of its location, area, administrative divisions, geological formation, rivers, dams and lakes, soil, forest and trees, main crops, animals, principal ports, salt manufacturing, state administration, education, health service, justice, civil courts, high court, police and military.
Discussing the Indian leaders’ efforts to stop Junagadh’s accession to Pakistan in Chapter IV, the author observes: “The editors of Gujrati dailies, weeklies and monthlies published from Bombay, Ahmadabad and Rajkot never belonged to Junagadh. What to say of them, even their forefathers never belonged to Junagadh. Their hue and cry was only on the instigation of the Hindu leadership, particularly that of Sardar Patel. The so-called secular leadership was behaving like very orthodox Hindu of ancient times.”
Discussing India’s dual policy, the author observes in Chapter V: “On one hand Indian government gave its no objection to the accession of Junagadh to Pakistan but on the other hand Indian leadership took all illegal steps to undo the accession of Junagadh…by creating communal riots in cities of Kathiawar. Hindu leaders were trying their best to force the state Government to withdraw the accession from Pakistan…Gandhiji, an apostle of peace, in one of his prarthna sabha at Delhi said, ‘It is really painful to learn that Junagadh has become Pakistan. This is a turmoil amidst the Bharat Mata, there exits Somnath temple also and therefore Pakistan should go from Junagadh.’ Pandit Nehru and Vallabh Bhai Patel were most concerned. They wanted to see Junagadh back in India by hook or by crook or with power…It is worth pointing out here that the only plea that Nehru, Gandhi and Patel took was that the majority of the state population was Hindu while Muslims were in minority. At that time every leader was giving his own imaginary figures regarding the population of Muslims and Hindus in the state. Sometimes, the percentage of Muslims and Hindus was given as 30% and 70% or 20% and 80% and sometimes 10% and 90% but it is all imaginary propaganda against Junagadh…The Muslim population at the end of 1946 and in the beginning of 1947 was changed to 49% Muslims with 9% Parsis and Christians and 42% Hindus…The Hindu propaganda and hostile attitude of Hindus against Muslims in Gujrat and Kathiawar also compelled the Muslim population to migrate to Junagadh…The Muslim population as on 9-11-1947 was 9.15 lacs…”
In Chapter VI the author discusses the shortage of food stuff after the Indian army closed the entire state boundaries, and details of Pakistan’s aid before and after the Indian invasion, and departure of the Royal family to Karachi.
In Chapter VII, discussing the Indian occupation of Pakistan territory of Junagadh, the author observes: “Several communiques were exchanged between Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. In a telegram sent to Mr Liaquat Ali Khan, Mr Nehru said, ‘In view of special circumstances pointed out by Junagadh Dewan - that is the Prime Minister of Junagadh - our Regional Commissioner at Rajkot has taken temporarily charge of Junagadh administration. This has been done to avoid disorder and resulting chaos. We have, however, no desire to continue this arrangement and wish to find a speedy solution in accordance with the wishes of the people of Junagadh. We have pointed out to you previously that final decision should be made by means of referendum or plebiscite. We would be glad to discuss this question and allied matters affecting Junagadh with representative of your government at the earliest possible moment convenient to you. We propose to invite Nawab of Junagadh to send his representatives to this conference.’…
In reply to the above telegram the prime minster of Pakistan sent the following telegram: ‘Your telegram informing that your Government had taken charge of Junagadh was received by me on November 10, 1947. Your action in taking over State Administration and sending Indian troops to state without any authority from Pakistan Government and indeed without our knowledge, is a clear violation of Pakistan territory and breach of International law, Indian Government’s activities on accession of Junagadh to Pakistan have all been directed to force the State to renounce accession and all kinds of weapons have been used by you to achieve this end. We consider your action in taking charge of Junagadh Administration and sending Indian troops to occupy Junagadh to be a direct act of hostility against Pakistan Dominion. We demand that you should immediately withdraw your forces, and relinquish charge of administration to the rightful ruler and stop people of Union of India from invading Junagadh and committing acts of violence.’…”
Exposing the unspoken “policy” of Hindu Congress leaders, the author cites a statement made by Mr Shamaldas Gandhi [Gandhiji’s nephew], after occupation of Junagadh: “All the honor goes to Sardar Patel Deputy Prime Minister of India, and who is also the Minister in charge of the States Department, who was kind enough to give every possible guidance and cooperation. If there had been no Sardar Patel, we could not have met today and could not have achieved such a brilliant success.”
Commenting on efforts to inform the UN Security Council, the author states: “The Foreign Minister of Pakistan…further submitted before the Security Council as under: ‘What is derived in respect of Junagadh is that the Government of India should of their own accord or through some request of recommendation of Agency of the Security Council withdraw their forces from occupation of Junagadh and restore both the Ruler of Junagadh and the Ruler of Manawadar to their States so that normal Administration should be restored. And if it is insisted that the wishes of the people of Junagadh should be ascertained by means of plebiscite in the matter of accession, a free and unfettered plebiscite be held under the auspices of U.N.O…The prime minster of Junagadh even the Ruler of had no authority left after the accession to hand over Administration to the Dominion of India…Lastly even if the dominion of India found that, as an act of emergency it was necessary for them to move forces into Junagadh without any notice of consultationwith, the dominion of Pakistan, with which Junagadh was in accession, nevertheless, upon protest by Pakistan, the armed forces should have been withdrawn and normal Administration restored. As a matter of fact, the Security Council will have noticed that at one stage the Prime Minister of India did state, ‘We have taken this step as a temporary measure,’ but the Government of India goes on stating those words both in regard to Kashmir and Junagadh and all their subsequent actions and declarations show that they are treating the occupation of both these states – Kashmir and Junagadh - accomplished fate and have no intention of treating them merely ‘a temporary emergency measures.” With these words, the debate on Junagadh ended. The case was then placed in the cold storage of the Security Council…One does not know when it would be solved but let us have firm faith in Allah ‘that the golden territory snatched illegally by use of brute force will return back to Pakistan.’ ”
In Chapter VIII, the author presents a summary of the status of economy. In Chapter IX, he summarizes the services rendered by the people of Junagadh for the cause of Pakistan. In Chapter X, the author explores the issues faced by the people of Junagadh after the Indian invasion. In Chapter XI, which is the concluding chapter of the book, the author observes: “One thing I would like to add here is that Pakistan came into being at the ‘will’ of 10 crore Muslims of India, their unity and unfettered faith in the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Accession of Junagadh to Pakistan is the ‘will’ of Quaid-i-Azam …It is a sacred PAK-territory and obligatory on every Pakistani to see that Junagadh is brought back … As Abul Ala Moududi had once said: ‘Junagadh has been occupied by India by Military Power. Pray for a stronger Pakistan and Junagadh will be here.’ …Now Pakistan is stronger. It is with the grace of Allah one of the nuclear powers of the world…I am fully confident that Allah is with us…Issue of Junagadh is alive. It cannot die. The issue of liberation of land does not die even if hundreds of years pass…till the sacred land is freed from Indian yoke. InshAllah.”
Indian Held Pak-Territory, Junagadh: The Paradise Lost, is an important and rare book that chronicles the Indian military invasion and occupation of Junagadh. The book is a must-read for all interested in history and politics.

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