The Nawab of Junagadh, Muhammad Jahangir Khanji, passed away his on Thursday at a private hospital in Karachi after a long battle with cancer.
The funeral prayers of the late Nawab will be held on Friday at Junagadh House in Karachi, following Jummah. He is survived by his mother, widow, and two children, who now grieve the loss of their beloved family member.
Born into a lineage of rulers in the princely state of Junagadh, Nawab Muhammad Jahangir Khanji dedicated his life to the independence of Junagadh and its accession to Pakistan. His unwavering commitment to this cause remained steadfast until the very end.
Junagadh, once a princely state during the British Raj and now known as Junagarh district in the Indian state of Gujarat, faced a crucial decision during the partition in 1947. With over 550 states being given the choice to join either Pakistan or India, the Nawab of Junagadh had firmly decided to join Pakistan.
An agreement of accession was signed on September 15, 1947, by Nawab Mahabat Khan, the then governor of Junagadh and grandfather of Nawab Muhammad Jahangir Khanji.
However, despite the agreement, India dispatched its troops and forcefully occupied the Muslim-ruled state on November 9, 1947, blatantly violating international law and nullifying the Nawab’s efforts to unite Junagadh with Pakistan.
The demise of Nawab Muhammad Jahangir Khanji marks the end of an era, leaving a void in Pakistan’s history and the hearts of those who admired and respected him.
