The end of World War 2 also marked the downfall of the British Empire. Many countries got independence from Great Britain at that time. The list includes India which got independent in 1947 and a new nation Pakistan was born. Every princely state in the subcontinent were given a choice to either join India or Pakistan or choose to become a free nation.
Britishers later realized the complications of Cold War and wanted the states to either join India or Pakistan and should not remain independent. Some states like Hyderabad, Kashmir, Travancore and Junagadh still wanted to remain independent.
The State of Junagadh was founded in 1730 when Mohammed Khan Bahadur Khanji I declared independence from the collapsing Mughal Empire. This started the reign of Babi Dynasty over Junagadh and nearby princely states. East India Company took control over the state in 1870, when Junagadh became the protectorate of the East India Company.
Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III was the last ruler of Babi Dynasty. He was famous for his collection of dogs and used to celebrate their birthdays with lavish parties. Demographically, Junagadh had 80% Hindu population and 20% Muslim population but ruler was a Muslim. Nabi Baksh, the constitutional advisor to the Nawab of Junagadh hinted that Junagadh may accede to India.
Nawab Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III was not there in Junagadh due to health reasons and had given the responsibility of the state to Shahnawaz Bhutto. Muslim League (party which demanded the creation of Pakistan) had a great influence in Junagadh's council of ministers. Due to this, Nawab decided to join the dominion of Pakistan. Mountbatten, the then viceroy of India, wanted only those states should join Pakistan who share land boundary with it. Junagadh stated that they are connected to Pakistan through sea route.
Pakistan officially accepted the accession of Junagadh on 15 September 1947. Government of India outraged against this decision stating that how could Md. Ali Jinnah could accept this accession of Hindu populated Junagadh despite his arguments that Hindus and Muslims can't live together. The states of Mangrol and Babariyawad had political bonds with Junagadh but were encouraged to join India.
India made their stance clear that they don't recognize the accession of Junagadh to Pakistan and wanted the people decide with which country they want to merge. A provisional government or Aarzi Hukumat was formed in Bombay (now Mumbai) by Mahatma Gandhi's nephew, Samaldas Gandhi. India denied any support to the provisional government later at the UN Security Council.
The Aarzee Hukumat and other forces introduced a blockade around Junagadh as Nawab still did not change his decision. This forced the Nawab to leave for Karachi, Pakistan. The state affairs were now in the hand of Diwan Shahnawaz Bhutto. Diwan waited till November but there was no assistance from the Pakistani side. He had raised a small of army of 670 Muslim men to stop any kind of movement to join India. Indian government then took over the state's administration to establish peace in the region. Diwan then left for Pakistan and all men were disarmed. Liaqat Ali Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan told Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru that sending Indian troops was a clear violation of International Laws.
To avoid international criticism, Indian government decided to conduct plebiscite because they believed the result will be in their favor. Referendum was held on 20 February 1948 and as expected, result was in favor of India. 99.95% people wanted to join India. Only 91 votes were there in favor of Pakistan out of 190,870 who voted (from an electorate of 201,457). Pakistan took this issue to the United Nation but it is still unresolved.
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