Last Days of Junagadh By Abdur Razzaq Thaplawala

Sardar Valabh bhai gate Junagadh

The month of November, 1947 was a month of tragedy for newly born Pakistan as India occupied two states which had legally and formally acceded to Pakistan as part of the scheme of partition. These states are located in the present Gujrat provinces. The Junagadh State was surrounded by Indian Territory but it has a long coast line with a well developed part for easy access to Karachi. The month will be particularly remembered by the Memon community as a month in which they faced one of the worst tragedy in the community’s life time.

The community in general and the members of community from Bantva, Kutiyana and Junagadh had to abandon their birth places and migrate to Pakistan in November, 1947. It is unfortunate that the month of November, 2003 passed without anybody remembering this tragedy.

Mr. Yusuf Abdul Gani Mandvia, a bold Memon journalist of high caliber and writer of many books on pre-partition Indian Politics was present in Junagadh during the last days of the occupation of Junagadh. He had first hand information about these happenings. The following chronological account of these days is based on one of his books in Gujrati published in Karachi after he migrated to Pakistan after serving a three years imprisonment in Junagadh imposed on him by Indian occupation forces of the occupation of Junagadh. The following information is based on Mr. Mandvia’s Gujrati books publish in sixteen and the information about happenings in Bantva and Kutiyana – the home of some of big business magnets of the Memon community. This information is based on “Tarikh-e-Bantva” by Mr. Aziz Kaya.

The Junagadh government conveyed its consent to acceed to Pakistan as early as on 12th August, 1947. This decision was published in Dasturul Amal of Junagadh State on 15th August, 1947.The instrument of accession was however formally signed by Quaid-e-Azam on 15th September, 1947 and accordingly the accession was notified in Gazette of Pakistan and Dastrul Amal of Junagadh State on that date. Mr. V.P. Menon, the secretary of States department of Government of India rushed to Junagadh on 17th September, 1947 and met Mr. Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the Chief Minister of Junagadh. Mr. Memon insisted that he had brought a message of Indian Government and will like to deliver the message to Nawab Saheb only. Mr. Shah Nawaz Bhutto showed his inability to arrange a meeting with Nawab Saheb as he was not feeling well. Mr. Menon expressed his displeasure over this refusal but finally conveyed the message of Indian Government to Mr. Bhutto insisting that Junagadh should withdraw its accession to Pakistan. Mr. Bhutto told Mr. Menon that the accession was now complete and according to international law only the Government of Pakistan can talk on the subject. Mr. Menon left after the threats of dire consequences.

Mr. Menon immediately went to Bombay and called a meeting of Mr. Saamar Das Gandhi a journalist of Rajkot and his accomplices who were already present in Bombay according to a pre arranged scheme. He unfolded the scheme of Arzi Hukumat (Provisional Government) to them.

On 25th September, 1947, a meeting was held in Madhav Garden of Bombay where formal announcement of the formation of Arzee Hukumat or Provisional Government of Junagarh was made. Mr. Samal Das Gandhi was nominated as President of the Provisional Government. Mr. Saamar Das Gandhi and some of his colleagues who were declared as ministers with various portfolios took oath of their respective offices. Saamar Das Gandhi was son of Mr. Lakshami Das Karamch Gandhi brother of Mr. Mohan Das Karamchand, the father of Mahatma Gandhi. He was not a resident of Junagadh State.

Immediately after announcement of the Provisional Government, the ministers of provisional government proceeded to Rajkot and occupied Junagadh House there on 27th September, 2003. The Indian Government acted as a silent spectator.

As a part of preparation for occupation of the Junagadh a “Kathiawar Defence Force” was formed by the Government of Indian with Brigadier Guru Dayal Singh as Commanding Officer and head quarter in Rajkot. Three war ships were anchored at the port of Porbandar. A squadron consisting of eight Tempest air crafts was stationed at Rajkot and additional companies of Armed Forces were deployed at Rajkot. The Indian aircrafts started to fly over Junagadh territory at very low heights to harass the public.

On 8th November, 1947, Mr. Shah Nawaz Bhutto sent a letter to Mr. Nilam Butch, the Provincial Head of Indian Government in Rajkot requesting him to help him in restoring the law & order situation in Junagadh to stop the blood shade of the innocent citizens. Mr. Harvey Johnson took the message to Rajkot. The head of Indian Administration immediately rang up Mr. V.P. Menon in Delhi and read out the letter of Mr. Shah Nawaz Bhutto to him. Mr. Menon immediately rushed to the residence of Pandil Jawahir Lal Nehru and explained the situation. After consultation with various ministers and Mr. Valabh Bhai Patel, the home minister in particular, a formal order was immediately drafted and a notification was issued announcing the take over of Junagadh at the request of the Chief Minister of Junagadh. The notification promised a referendum in due course.

Mr. Shah Nawaz Bhutto left Junagadh for Karachi on the night of 8th November, 1947. On 9th November, 1947, the Indian Air force sent several sorties to fly at a low height on the Junagadh. Soon thereafter columns of Indian tanks, Armour Vehicles and Jeeps carrying Indian solders entered Junagadh State. At 6:00 P.M. on 9th November, 1947, Captain Harvey Johnson and Chief Secretary Mr. Gheewala, a civil servant of Junagadh State, formally handed over the charge of the State to the India.

The Junagadh was occupied on 9th November, 1947 but two days before this occupation, the 8th Sikh regiment reached Kutiyana on 7th November, 1947. More forces consisting of 40 trucks and 50 jeeps also joined the Sikh regiment on 8th November, 1947 to occupy Kutiyana.