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Benazir's Indian connection

January 08, 2008
According to claims of Gopalanand Swami, a reputed saint of Junagadh, Shah Nawaz Bhutto had married Lakhibai, Hindu kshatriya-Lohana lady. Shah Nawaz converted her and gave a new name Khursheeda Begum.

Her Kshatriya father, Jayrajsinh Jadejha, belonged to Paneli village of Rajkot district while her mother belonged to the Hindu Lohana community. Jinnah too was a Lohana from Kathiawad before conversion.

Recently, some historians in Kutch have claimed that Lakhibai was a Kutchi.

Gopalanand Swami, a village elder, claims that Jinnah was a mediator of Shah Nawaz's marriage to a Hindu woman. Being a wealthy landlord, Shah Nawaz frequently visited Gujarat from neighbouring area of Sindh. It was during one such visit that he came across Lakhibai in Junagadh.

Throughout turbulent times during India’s impendence, Shah Nawaz assisted the Nawab. Bhutto and the Nawab were of a firm opinion that Junagadh should join Pakistan. To discuss the issue, Bhutto formed a group of local residents, which included five Hindus and five Muslim dignitaries from the State.

Image: The original copy of Benazir Bhutto's aunt's wedding. Shah Nawaz Bhutto's daughter Mumtaz was married to Mohmmad Mustafa Khan, an army man, on April 24, 1947.

Also read: Daughter of Pakistan
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