Brief research/note by Ms Sabiha Parvez
The former Indian princely state of Junagadh (now part of Gujerat state in India) acceded to Pakistan on Sept 15, 1947.However, the majority Hindu population of the state instigated by the Congress Party local leaders, rejected this decision and revolted and the Indian Army started to move in, to take over the area. His Highness Nawab Mahabat Khanji III, the lastruler of Junagadh, escaped to tne new state of Pakistan at that time, barely making it to Karachi city there, along with somefew relatives and servants. He was alloted some modest financial benefits by the Government of Pakistan and also given some land in Sindh and Punjab provinces and also, as his residence, allotted a big old house in Karachi, which had been left vacant by some rich Hindus fleeing to India at partition. This modern style town house was thereafter styled 'Junagadh House'
and late Nawab Mahabat Khanji died here, a sad and disillusioned man, on November 7, 1959.
With Nawab Mahabat Khanji's death, the title of Nawab of Junagadh died out, formally and legally, he was the last 'de facto' and 'de jure' Nawab; but his son, Dilawar Khanji, kept on living in Junagadh House, Karachi, and despite extensive litigation against him by other relatives claiming shares in various properties given the family in Pakistan, he kept on claiming his supposed 'right' to the title and to all the benefits and privileges thereof. In Pakistan, he was granted the use of the title as courtesy, for his lifetime only, and he served for a short while as Governor, of the Sindh province, under the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto regime. Dilawar Khanji, so-called 'Nawab' of a Junagadh that no longer existed, died in 1989. He was survived by his
junior wife, Begum Sahiba of Junagadh, and the following offspring:
1. Mr Jahangir Khanji, who now chooses to style himself as 'Nawab' and claims the defunct title;
2. Mr Alamgir Khanji, who is a banker in Karachi.
3. Mr Zaheer Khanji, who is also a banker in Karachi. and
4. Miss Aliya Khanji, daughter, who is an officer in the Pakistan Customs.
All of these people still live in Junagadh House, on Fatima Jinnah Road, Karachi. In addition, part of this luxurious and sprawling, valuable property in the heart of Karachi city, is leased out as a wedding and functions' venue, advertised amongst Karachi's noveau riche elite as 'the Royal Residence of the last Nawab of Junagadh, an ideal location for a grand wedding'. Thus, in this material day and age, an old family and their last place of retreat, are able to make do.
Also see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawab_of_Junagarh (For list of Nawabs and brief background)
1. Junagadh House today, night view
2. Coat of Arms of former Junagadh state
The former Indian princely state of Junagadh (now part of Gujerat state in India) acceded to Pakistan on Sept 15, 1947.However, the majority Hindu population of the state instigated by the Congress Party local leaders, rejected this decision and revolted and the Indian Army started to move in, to take over the area. His Highness Nawab Mahabat Khanji III, the lastruler of Junagadh, escaped to tne new state of Pakistan at that time, barely making it to Karachi city there, along with somefew relatives and servants. He was alloted some modest financial benefits by the Government of Pakistan and also given some land in Sindh and Punjab provinces and also, as his residence, allotted a big old house in Karachi, which had been left vacant by some rich Hindus fleeing to India at partition. This modern style town house was thereafter styled 'Junagadh House'
and late Nawab Mahabat Khanji died here, a sad and disillusioned man, on November 7, 1959.
With Nawab Mahabat Khanji's death, the title of Nawab of Junagadh died out, formally and legally, he was the last 'de facto' and 'de jure' Nawab; but his son, Dilawar Khanji, kept on living in Junagadh House, Karachi, and despite extensive litigation against him by other relatives claiming shares in various properties given the family in Pakistan, he kept on claiming his supposed 'right' to the title and to all the benefits and privileges thereof. In Pakistan, he was granted the use of the title as courtesy, for his lifetime only, and he served for a short while as Governor, of the Sindh province, under the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto regime. Dilawar Khanji, so-called 'Nawab' of a Junagadh that no longer existed, died in 1989. He was survived by his
junior wife, Begum Sahiba of Junagadh, and the following offspring:
1. Mr Jahangir Khanji, who now chooses to style himself as 'Nawab' and claims the defunct title;
2. Mr Alamgir Khanji, who is a banker in Karachi.
3. Mr Zaheer Khanji, who is also a banker in Karachi. and
4. Miss Aliya Khanji, daughter, who is an officer in the Pakistan Customs.
All of these people still live in Junagadh House, on Fatima Jinnah Road, Karachi. In addition, part of this luxurious and sprawling, valuable property in the heart of Karachi city, is leased out as a wedding and functions' venue, advertised amongst Karachi's noveau riche elite as 'the Royal Residence of the last Nawab of Junagadh, an ideal location for a grand wedding'. Thus, in this material day and age, an old family and their last place of retreat, are able to make do.
Also see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawab_of_Junagarh (For list of Nawabs and brief background)
1. Junagadh House today, night view
2. Coat of Arms of former Junagadh state
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