Samaldas Gandhi was an Indian freedom fighter who headed the Aarzi Hukumat or Temporary Government of the erstwhile princely state of Junagadh.
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Early life
Samaldas was a relative and close follower of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement.
Junagadh controversy
When the Nawab of Junagadh annexed his state with Pakistan in 1947, Samaldas headed a government-in-exile created by prominent citizens of Junagadh to reflect the wishes of its people, who wanted to go with India. When Indian forces peacably liberated Junagadh and its principalities, Mangrol and Manavadar, Samaldas was invited by Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the Nawab's premier to accept reins of the state. Samaldas later deferred to the Government of India.
Commemoration
Samaldas Gandhi is widely remembered in Junagadh and the state of Gujarat today as a hero and patriot. There are several schools, public foundations and hospitals named after him.
See also
- Indian Independence Movement, Indian National Congress
- Political integration of India, Partition of India
