The fascinating tales of Pakistan’s former princely republics are told by history. Formerly recognised as princely states under the British and Indian Empires, the princely states of Pakistan are also known as the native states of Pakistan. Following Pakistan’s independence, these states joined Pakistan and were incorporated into its territory. Let’s take a brief look at each of Pakistan’s twelve princely states.
Bahawalpur
In the Punjab province, Bahawalpur is the 12th largest city in Pakistan. It is located in the Cholistan Desert close to Derawar Fort. On October 3, 1947, Sadeeque Muhammad Khan, the Nawab of Bahawalpur, became the first person to accede his state to Pakistan upon the country’s independence.
Khairpur
the 12th-largest city in Pakistan’s Sindh province. In 1783, Mir Shoaib Khan founded it. Additionally, on October 3, 1947, Khairpur became a part of Pakistan. Mir Ghulam Hussain Talpur Baloch, a Regent, took this action on his own behalf because Khairpur’s Nawab, George Ali Morad Khan, was not active during his rule.
Chitral
Located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on the western bank of the Chitral River, Chitral is a symbol of Pakistan’s natural beauty and the home of towering mountains. The Nawab of Chitral, Muzaffar-ul-Mulk, became the new ruler of Chitral on August 15, 1957.
Swat
The Wali of Swat, Mingul Abdul Wadud, became a state on November 3, 1847. Up until a few decades after its accession, Swat was governed as a princely state. Mingul Jahan, who passed away in 1987, was the last Wali.
Hunza
the pinnacle of Pakistani beauty. The Hunza Valley is situated in the province of Gilgit Baltistan’s far northern region. The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir controlled this tiniest princely kingdom.
Nagar
Nagar is a stunning mountainous area that is part of the Gilgit Baltistan province’s district. It is also crossed by the well-known Karakoram Highway, which connects China and Pakistan via road.
In 1931, Nagar, another small state in the valley, shared the Hunza language and culture with its society. On November 18, 1947, Shaukat Ali Khan, the Nagar ruler, annexed the region to Pakistan.
Amb
Amb is a village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that is situated on the Indus River’s bank. Its natural settings therefore give it a unique worth. Amb became a part of Pakistan on December 31, 1947, one day before the new year. Following Nawab Farid Khan’s passing in 1969, the province annexed the once independent state into the borders of Pakistan.
Phura
A khanate close to Amb, Phura is home to about 8,000 people. It cannot fit within the meagre 36 square miles. The final Nawab of Phura, Nawab Ata Muhammad Khan, agreed with the Nawab of Amb regarding admission. Subsequently, the Khanate was fully integrated into the North West Frontier Province (now known as KPK).
Dir
Dir is a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that dates back to the 17th century. It served as the capital of Dir, a former princely state. Nonetheless, the Nawab of Chitral submitted an application for admission in 1947; however, because of social and political issues, it took more than 20 years before it was approved during Yahya Khan’s tenure in 1969.
Bela Las
The district in the province of Balochistan is called Las Bela. On June 30, 1954, it was separated into its own district within Kalat division. Regarding its admission, it was granted approval on March 17, 1948, after being approved by the Las Bela ruler in March 1948.
Kharan
Kharan is a district in the province of Balochistan. During this District’s period of independence and accession, Nawab Habibullah Khan Baluch ruled from 1911 till 1956.
On March 17, 1948, Kharan’s request for accession was made, and it was granted the same day. On March 21, 1948, the kings of Kharan, Las Bela, and Makran jointly declared that their states were now a part of Pakistan.
Makran
It is situated on a major elevation along the coasts of Iran, Pakistan, and Balochistan as well as the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.
Makran was admitted on March 17, 1948 as well. The Makran kings were known as Sardar at first, and then as Nawab starting in 1922. The first reliable dates for older kings are from 1898 CE onward; details are sparse. Before Makran State was established, the Gichki Baloch dynasty governed this area. The Gichki Sardar of Kech was appointed Nawab of Makran upon the establishment of Makran State.
