Samaldas Gandhi
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Samaldas Gandhi was an Indian freedom fighter who headed the Aarzi Hukumat or Temporary Government of the erstwhile princely state of Junagadh.
Early life
Samaldas was the son of Laxmidas Karamchand Gandhi, younger brother of Mohandas Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement. Samaldas was a close follower of his uncle, Mohandas.
Integration of Junagadh into India
When the Nawab of Junagadh acceded his state to Pakistan in 1947, Samaldas headed a government-in-exile created by citizens of Junagadh to reflect the wishes of its majority population who wished the state to become part of India instead.
When Indian forces entered Junagadh and its principalities, Mangrol and Manavadar, at the invitation of the Nawab's dewan, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, Samaldas was invited to accept the reins of the state but 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