to greatly improve the breeding stock of the local Kathiawari stallions and of the Gir cows. Accession conflict At the time of Indian independence in August 1947, all of the princely states were advised to accede to either of the two dominions of India or Pakistan. By 15 August 1947, most of these states in the interior of India had chosen to accede to India. Nawab Mahabat Khan, however, spent the summer of 1947 on holiday in Europe. In his absence, his dewan, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, ran the affairs of the state, and he consulted with Muhammad Ali Jinnah to join the state to Pakistan. On 11 August 1947, upon his return from his holiday, the Nawab made the decision to accede to Pakistan and sent an emissary to negotiate with Jinnah. Junagadh's population was predominantly Hindu, with the Muslim population accounting for only about a fifth of its total population. With Pakistan's acceptance of Junagadh's accession on 16 September, the Indian government invaded Junagadh and took drastic action, inducing two of the Nawab's vassals, Mangrol and Babariyawad, to accede to India. The first Home Minister of independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, played a major role in this regard. Sir Mahabat Khanji, his family (including his dogs), and his dewan (prime minister), Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, fled by plane to Pakistan on 24 October, never to return. Reportedly one of his begums and her child were left behind in the chaotic escape. Bhutto wrote to Samaldas Gandhi, leader of the Arzi Hukumat (or government in exile), to take over Junagadh. The Indian Army then took over Junagadh on 9 November, installed a new state Governor, and called for a public referendum on the status of the state. The referendum, arranged by the Indian government, was held on 20 February 1948. Of over 200,000 people who voted, 91 percent chose India while the rest chose Pakistan. The following year, on 20 January 1949, Junagadh was merged into the new Indian state of Saurashtra. Exile and death After his exile from Junagadh, Sir Mahabat Khanji and his family settled at Karachi, where he died, aged 61, on 17 November 1959 of Cardiac arrest. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Muhammad Dilawar Khanji, who claimed to be rightful Nawab of the state in absentia. The former Junagadh princely family still resides in Karachi. Honours Delhi Durbar Medal-1911 Knight Commander of the