Ahmedabad: Seventy years ago, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel integrated more than 500 princely states with the Union of India but three states ended up proving to be troublesome – Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagadh.
Of these, the story of Junagadh turned out to be the most absurd as Nawab of Junagadh had decided to go with Pakistan. In protest against the move, Sardar launched a movement to liberate both Hyderabad and Junagadh.
A liberated government was established in Junagadh. On August 15, 1947, Independence Day was not celebrated in Junagadh because it was ruled by Nawab who had decided to be part of Pakistan.
As a result of the liberation movement launched by Sardar Patel, Junagadh became an integral part of India on November 9. At the time of partition, the Nawab of Junagadh had decided to merge his state with Pakistan, following which the liberation movement was launched and a liberation government was set up in Junagadh.
Junagadh was a princely state ruled by Nawab Mohabbat Khan the third when on August 15, 1947, India got Independence. Citizens of Junagadh was greatly dismayed as the Nawab of Junagadh had decided to merge the state with Pakistan.
This is why Independence Day was not celebrated in Junagadh. There was an overall atmosphere of gloom. People of Junagadh were greatly agitated.
Sardar Patel came down to Junagadh and started the movement for the liberation of Junagadh state from the dictatorial rule of the Nawab.
The first meeting of the liberation movement was held in the campus of the Bahauddin College where the Arzi Hukoomat (Liberated Government) was formed under the leadership of Shamaldas Gandhi in which the lion-like leader Ratubhai Adani was included.
As a result of the popular movement, Nawab Mohabbat Khan the third was forced to flee to Pakistan. Junagadh became free from the Nawab rule and became an integral part of India on November 9.
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