Junagadh was a princely state in Gujarat ruled by a Muslim Babi Dynasty in British India, until its integration into the Indian Union in 1948.It was a Princely State entitled to a 13-gun salute.
Muhammad Sher Khan Babi was the founder of the Babi Dynasty of Junagadh State in 1654. His descendants, the Babi Nawabs of Junagadh, conquered large territories in southern Saurashtra.
However, during the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the Babis became involved in a struggle with the Gaekwad dynasty of the Maratha Empire over control of Gujarat. Mohammad Sher Khan Babi declared independence from the Mughal governor of Gujarat subah, and founded the state of Junagadh in 1730. This allowed the Babi to retain sovereignty of Junagadh and other princely states. Junagadh was then a tributary to the Maratha Empire, until it came under British suzerainty in 1807, following the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
In 1807, the Junagadh State became a British protectorate and The East India Company took control of the state. By 1818, the Saurashtra area, along with other princely states of Kathiawar, were separately administrated under the Kathiawar Agency by British India.
In 1947, upon the independence and partition of India, the last Babi dynasty ruler of the state, Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III, decided to merge Junagadh into the newly formed Pakistan. However, the Hindu citizens, who formed the majority of the population, revolted, leading to several events and also a plebiscite, resulting in the integration of Junagadh into India.
However, during the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the Babis became involved in a struggle with the Gaekwad dynasty of the Maratha Empire over control of Gujarat. Mohammad Sher Khan Babi declared independence from the Mughal governor of Gujarat subah, and founded the state of Junagadh in 1730. This allowed the Babi to retain sovereignty of Junagadh and other princely states. Junagadh was then a tributary to the Maratha Empire, until it came under British suzerainty in 1807, following the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
In 1807, the Junagadh State became a British protectorate and The East India Company took control of the state. By 1818, the Saurashtra area, along with other princely states of Kathiawar, were separately administrated under the Kathiawar Agency by British India.
In 1947, upon the independence and partition of India, the last Babi dynasty ruler of the state, Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III, decided to merge Junagadh into the newly formed Pakistan. However, the Hindu citizens, who formed the majority of the population, revolted, leading to several events and also a plebiscite, resulting in the integration of Junagadh into India.
| Ruler (Nawabs) | Reign | |
| Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I or Mohammad Sher Khan Babi | 1730 – 1758 | |
| Mohammad Mahabat Khanji I | 1758 – 1774 | |
| Mohammad Hamid Khanji I | 1774 – 1811 | |
| Mohammad Bahadur Khanji II | 1811 – 1840 | |
| Mohammad Hamid Khanji II | 1840 – 1851 | |
| Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II | 1851 – 1882 | |
| Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III | 1882 – 1892 | |
| Mohammad Rasul Khanji | 1892 – 1911 | |
| Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III | 1911 – 1948 |
1 Kori - Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II, KM#23
"Badshah Ghazi" = Warrior Emperor
"Muhammad Akbar"
3rd line in Devanagari: श्री दीवान ("Shri Divan")
Rev : Date on top (AH 1275)
In Devnagari, at left (sideways): "गड " (Gadh) = fort
middle: "बा" = Ba for Babi dynasty (a Pashtun tribe)
at right: VS date, ૧૯૧५, sideways in Gujarati (VS 1915)
Scimitar divides "ba" & date
Bottom, in Urdu: 'Zarb" = struck at (Junagadh)
١٢٧۵
गड बा ૧૯૧५
ضرب
Details :
Plain edge, Ruler: Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II, Junagadh: Juna (Old) gadh (Fort)
Junagadh issued coins in the name of Muhammad Akbar II even after his death in 1837 AD
KM#23
1 Dokdo - Rasul Muhammad Khan, KM#45.1
Devanagari Inscription -Shri Sorath Sarkaar
Rev : Perso-Arabic Inscription : Ek paisa Junagadh Riyaasat (government)
Details :
Plain edge
KM#45.1
1 Kori - Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III, KM#31
"nawab bahadur mahabat khan"
3rd line in Devanagari: श्री दीवान ("Shri Divan")
Rev : Date on top (AH 1297)
In Devnagari, at left (sideways): "गड " (Gadh) = fort
middle: "बा" = Ba for Babi dynasty (a Pashtun tribe)
at right: VS date, ૧૯३६, sideways in Gujarati (VS 1936)
Scimitar divides "ba" & date
Bottom, in Urdu: 'Zarb" = struck at (Junagadh)
١٢۹۷
गड बा ૧૯३६
ضرب
Details :
Plain edge, Ruler: Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III, Junagadh: Juna (Old) gadh (Fort)
KM#31
References :
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junagadh_State
- South Asian Coins & Paper Money (INDIAN EDITION) - Krause Publication
