Gir Forest, Junagadh

The Islamic Babi Dynasty ruled over several territories in the southern Saurashtra Peninsula of Gujarat, including the city of Junagadh . Originally of Pashtuni descent, the founder of the dynasty, Muhammad Sher Khan Babi, owed allegiance to the local Mughal governor. In 1730, however, after the Maratha invasion, he declared independence for Junagadh, which became a Maratha tributary state until coming under British suzerainty in 1807 folowing the Second Anglo-Maratha War.

The last Babi Nawab of Junagadh, Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III, was well-known for his love of animals, both domestic and wildlife. Of particular importance to him were the local Asiatic lions, which were at the time teetering on the brink of extinction. Once extant in Southeastern Europe, the Black Sea basin, and the Fertile Crescent,  they had ultimately become confined to the Indian subcontinent, where the advent of firearms led to the decimation of entire populations. In response, the Nawab preserved vast tracks of Gir Forest to provide the lions with a stable habitat. This pioneering conservation effort resulted in the perpetuation of the world's single population of Asiatic lions, which has steadily increased since 2010.

In 1947, upon the independence and partition of India, the British left it up to the various Princely States to decide whether to join the new states of India, Pakistan, or to become totally independent. As Nawab, Mahabat III sought to merge his realm into the Dominion of Pakistan, which accepted on 13 September. However, the Hindu-majority population of Junagadh revolted, and after the Nawab and his family (including his dogs) fled to Pakistan, the Indian Army invaded. A public referendum resulted in 91% of the population in favor of integrating Junadagh State into the Republic of India. Mahabat Khanji eventually settled in Karachi, where the princely family remains to this day.

Nawabs of Junagadh
1. Sher Khan Babi      r. 1730-1758
2. Mahabat I              r. 1758-1774
3. Hamid I                 r. 1774-1811
4. Bahadur I              r. 1811-1840
5. Hamid II                r. 1840-1851
6. Mahabat II             r. 1851-1882
7. Bahadur II             r. 1882-1892
8. Rasul                     r. 1892-1911
9. Mahabat III           r. 1911-1948

I have now added the Nawab to my personal Conservation Pantheon, right next to Theodore Roosevelt. Just goes to show that our love for fluffy kitties is universal.

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SVG map: Sting