Slain former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto had a thick Gujarat connection.
Around the time of Indian independence, the princely State of Junagadh was ruled by Nawab Mohabbat Ali Khan. Benazir's grand father Shah Nawaz Bhutto, son of a rich landlord family of Sindh, (then in India) studied in Panchgini. Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah sent him to Junagadh to assist Diwan (prime minister) Kader Mehmood Hussein.
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About four months before the independence, Kader Mehmood fell ill and left for London for treatment. Shah Nawaz became the Diwan of the culturally-rich State of Junagadh by accident for a short but volatile period. His 20-month stay in Junagadh left a deep imprint in the minds of people.
Shah Nawaz's prime ministership lasted five months and 11 days. His diplomacy failed to grab Junagadh from India. Junagadh could have become another 'Kashmir' had people not resisted Nawab-Bhutto’s strategy. Bhutto advised and helped the Nawab to pass the resolution to merge Junagadh into newly-born Pakistan. The local people reacted angrily against the move.
The nationalists for the Arzee Haqumat (incidently, Dhirubhai Ambani was also a foot soldier of the movement in Junagadh) to fight back the Nawab-Bhutto gameplan. The people revolted so immensely that the Nawab and Bhutto escaped to Pakistan, leaving behind their properties.
Even this picture was thrown away from Darbargadh, palace of Nawab by the angry crowd. Now, its preserved by historian Parimal Rupani.
Text: Rashmin Shah in Junagadh/Rajkot | Photographs: Parimal Rupani
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