Junagadh (Gujarat): While India first celebrated Independence from the British 73 years ago on August 15, Junagadh, a city in Gujarat did not celebrate it in 1947. The reason - Junagadh was a princely state and its ruler Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan III had decided to merge the state with Pakistan.
The Nawab's decision confused and dismayed the people of Junagadh.
Indian icon Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel came down to Junagadh to start a movement for its liberation. He believed that if Junagadh was permitted to go to Pakistan, it would exacerbate the communal tension already simmering in Gujarat.
The first public meeting for the liberation movement was held on the grounds of the Bahauddin College where an independent government was announced under the leadership of Shamaldas Gandhi.
When the Nawab of Junagadh acceded his state to Pakistan in 1947, Samaldas headed a government-in-exile created by citizens of Junagadh to reflect the wishes of its majority population who wished the state to become part of India instead.
The liberation movement of Junagadh was led by Ratubhai Adani. Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan III was forced to flee to Pakistan. Junagadh was freed from the rule of the Nawab on November 9, 1947, and later became part of independent India.
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