'Junagadh is disputed like Kashmir' Nawab Khanji

Islamabad, Nov 9 (Kashmir Watch): Grandson of the princely state of Junagadh, Nawab Mohammad Jahangir Khanji has said that the state of Junagadh is illegally occupied by India. He said that Junagdh and Kashmir are UN recognised disputed states.

In an interview with a local TV channel here Nawab Mohammad Jahangir Khanji said that the case of Junagadh was that his grandfather Nawab Mahabat Khanji after taking the State Council had opted to accede to Pakistan on September 15, 1947. But India decided to annex the state by force. He said Pakistan had filed a case in the United Nations against the Indian aggression on Junagadh soil, where the case is still lying pending before the United Nations to this day'. Junagadh continues to figure on the official map of Pakistan as part of its territory along Kashmir.

Each year Nawabs of Junagadh commorratet the 9th of Nov. as a Black Day for, it was this day 9th day of Nov. in the year 1947 the Indian Army with the might of military force entered the sovereign boundaries of Junagadh State and forcibly took over the physical possession of the Junagadh State .

Junagadh was a First class 15 gun salute State, situated in the western Indian State agency (Kathiawar) in the Indian province of Gujarat. The area of Junagadh State consisted upon 3,336 sq. miles of rich and fertile land. It lies on the south west portion of the Kathiawar peninsular. It was bounded on the south by the Arabian Sea. The State commanded a sea coast of 84 miles possessing delightful golden sandy beaches. It had 16 ports of which the principal was VeraVal. The total number of cities and towns numbered up to 999. The capital of Junagadh State was a city also called Junagadh, which is situated on the slopes of the Girnar and Dathar hills and is one of the most picturesque in India; lying aprox:70 miles from the coast line.The Uper Kot or the old Citadel contains interesting caves. The famous Ashoka inscriptions are carved out on a big bolster of black granite stone. At the foot of Girnar Hill range to the South-East, lies the extensive forest of the Gir comprising of 494 sq. miles and 823 acres, unique as it is the strong hold of the Junagadh State wild life, particularly the Asiatic Lion. Where the climate is healthy, with the annual rainfall of State up to 30 to 35 inches.

Profile of 11th Nawab Sahib Muhammad Jahangir Khanji

The present Nawab of Junagadh His Highness Nawab Muhammad Jahangir Khanji started his primary education from Karachi Convent of Jesus and Mary, at the age of seven he was sent to Burn Hall a boarding school in the northern area, this missionary school run by European Roman Catholic fathers. Later Nawab sahib was went to Switzerland for higher education to Aiglon College & from Gstaad International School. Nawab Sahib also obtained a degree of Bachelor form Karachi University. He is a gold Medallist from the SKI Club of Switzerland in sking.

He has been a keen sportsman who has won cups in rowing competition and water polo, football & fencing etc. He is also Black Belt in Martial Arts.

He has also served as an advisor to the senior most executive of Sindh chief minister on matters concerning cultural, heritage and archeology.

Nawab Sahib has been a pattern for many N.G.O in Pakistan. He has also served as elected Presided of Junagadh State Muslim Federation in 1986, he was a member of committee called ‘Friends of Thar’ had invited Madam Carven from Paris to Karachi to hold a fashion show in which money was raised for the welfare of people of Thar.

The Nawab Sahib is the founder and first Chief Executive of the Nawab of Junagadh Foundation, which would work in a dedicated to serve of humanity. He had also serve as a private secretary of his father when he was Governor of Sindh.

Their hobbies are Photography, Art, Culture, Music and Cars. He believes in conversation of in echo system and a particular wild life. Intentions for the future are to fight for Junagadh, injustice and pollution.