Nawab Mahabatkhanji III

                                Nawab Mahabatkhanji III

        Junagadh The ninth and last ruler of Junagadh, Mahabatkhanji III was born on  On 6-7 1908, Nawab Rasul Khanji was born in Junagadh to Ayesha Bibi.  He was educated in England and at Mayo College, Ajmer.  This Nawab was very straightforward and devoted.  He was so fond of drama that he created a special theater and performed plays among the people of his choice.  Being of a shy nature, he rarely goes out and does not even go out for Jumma prayers.  He received the titles of Honorary Captain, Honorary Major, Honorary Colonel of the British Army.  He was a strict Muslim and was a tolerant and compassionate ruler who helped Hindu temples and even monks.  He had faith in Hindu astrology and made horoscopes for all the children, planting ruby ​​pillars.  Oops!  The foundation of a building at Willindon Dam and Veraval was laid by worshiping Ganesha with Hindu rites.  He stopped the tax levied by Damodarkund.  The farmers' debt was forgiven by sitting on the throne itself.  Primary education was made free throughout the state.  Kind by nature, the aristocracy was a neutral and just ruler.  E.g.  In the five Hindu murder cases in Veraval, he gave evidence of impartiality, provided evidence of religious tolerance and did not reduce the punishment of Muslims despite strong opposition from Muslims.  During the reign of Mahabat Khanji, on 20th-19th, a railway connecting State Bank in Veraval and Junagadh, Willingdon Dam in Junagadh, Jambur-Delwada, Visavadar-Dhari, Talala-Sasan, Sasan Gir-Visavadar was laid.  Aerodrome, free food court, Silver Jubilee Muslim Hostel, Power House, Red Cross, Willingdon Cattle Farm etc. were constructed in Keshod.  (Keshod Aerodrome was inaugurated by Prince Dilawar Khanji) He himself was very generous in helping education and did not hesitate to develop it.  His state also had many specific laws, such as a ban on hunting wild animals, killing animals used for farming, prohibiting Muslims from taking two sold cows at auction, and so on.  Considering the entire people of the state as his own children and when he went to Pakistan and got the news that there were riots between Hindus and Muslims in Junagadh, he immediately telegraphed and appealed to stop this bloodshed.  That is why the people of the state used to call them Sarkar and Maa-Baap.  But luckily they decided to join Pakistan with the help of Dewan Bhutto and after leaving Karachi on 9-10-17 they could not come back and remained in Pakistan losing the kingdom of Junagadh and property worth crores.  He did not like Pakistan at all and Begum also had to return.  For this the Nawab himself had met the High Commissioner of India, Prakash, in Karachi, that he was ready to join India if I was allowed to return to Junagadh.  But who knows why they shouldn't come back?  It is a question of research.  Junagadh state had an income of 1,81,8,000 in 18-7.  His wish to build a new tomb near the tomb in front of the court at Junagadh and be buried there remained unfulfilled.  He died on 7-11-18 at Karachi.