SEVENTH NAWAB SAHIB SIR MUHAMMAD BAHADURKHAN III. 1882 A. D. to 1892 A. D. In 1882 A. D. Nawab Sahib MahabatKhan was succeeded by his son BahadurKhan who was 26 years old. In 1883 A. D. Diwan Saleh Hindi resigned his post. He had resigned once before also. But he was not relieved. This time, however wing to his advanced age and indifferent health the Nawab Sahib accepted the resignation. The Diwan was Brave. The State and the British Government had already appreciated his faithful services. After his retirement the people, both Hindu and Muhammedan of Junagadh and the Mehal gave him addresses. He was succeeded by Desai Haridas Viharidas of Nadiad as Diwan; while Purshotamrai Sunderji Jhala was appointed Nayab Diwan. H.E. the Governor of Bombay visited Junagadh and laid the foundation of the MAHABAT MADRESSA.

His Highness the Nawab Sahib contributed one lakhs of Rupees towards the Art and Industrial Exhibition of Bombay.

In 1885 A. D. a building for the Central Jail was erected. An office called the WALI DAFTAR was created for administering the estates of Jagirdars minors; for it was found that in many cases such Jagir were not managed in the interests of the manors during their minority by their relatives. There is a village named Inaj under PATAN. This was given as Inam to a Makrani Jamadar a century ago. In the previous year this Jamadar daughter’s descendants named Ali Mohammed and Vali Mohammed ousted the son’s descendants from the estate. They also made default in the payment of state dues. At first mild measures were taken against them, which served only to make them more mischievous. Therefore a police party with two pieces of cannon was sent against them. Major Scott, the Political Officer of Sorath accompanied this party Efforts were killed. Vali Muhammad with his nephew Abdur Rehman and others were captured. Kadarbakhsh, who goes by the name of Kadar escaped with some men and commenced depredations. Advertisements were published for their surrender. Some were killed and others were taken alive. Kadarbakhsh fled to Karachi, where upon being challenged by a policemen, he attacked and killed him. For this offence of murder he was captured by police and tried and sentenced to death.

The widow of the policeman who was killed by Kadarbakhsh got an annual pension of Rupees 60 for life from the state. The captor of Kadarbakhsh also was rewarded handsomely. This disturbance took two years to be quelled. In 1886 A. D. H. E. the Governor of Bombay paid a visit to Junagadh and opened the MAHABAT MADRESSA. This institution was built by Vazir Sahib at the expense of Rs. 80,000 in memory of his master late Nawab Sahib Sir MahabatKhan II for the free education of the backward community of Muslims. Moreover to perpetuate the memory of the same Nawab Sahib, Vazir Sahib liberally, placed the sum of Rs. 30,000 at the disposal of the Bombay University for the foundation of a scholarship, known as MAHABAT FELLOW. SHIP to be awarded to the Mohammedan Graduates of the University. The proposal was made in 1887 A. D. and finally accepted by ht Government and University in 1889 A. D.

In 1887 A. D. Jubilee celebrations of Her Imperial Majesty the Empress were observed and a Darban was held at which the Nawab Sahib recounted in detail the benefits that accrued to India from Her Imperial Majesty’s rule. Some prisoners were set free and the arrears of revenue were remitted from agriculturists. Students were given scholarships and rejoining was made in various other ways. In this year H.R.H. the Duke of Co naught, who was Commander-in-Chief of the Indian army visited Rajkot where H. H. the Nawab Sahib also went to meet him. Towards the end of this year H. E. Lord Reay, Governor of Bombay paid a visit to Junagadh and performed the opening ceremony of the newly constructed railway line from Jetalsar to Vera val. In commemoration of his visit, a gate was put up in the city wall opposite to the Railway Station and was named the REAY GATE, but it is now commonly known as the Station Gate. A large clock has been fitted up at the top of the gate and upon the arch of the gate a marble bust of Lard Reay has been set.

In 1889 A. D. construction of stone steps had begun in order to facilitate ascent upon the Girnar by collecting money by means of a lottery. In the same year, stone steps were also begun to be constructed for the Datar ( upper part.) In 1890 A. D. H. R. H. Prince Victor, grandson of Her Imperial Majesty the Queen Empress paid a visit to Junagadh. This was the first royal visit here. At first His Royal Highness went to Season for lion-shooting. Then he came to Junagadh. This visit was marked by brilliant illuminations. In commemoration of this visit the foundation of a Leper Asylum was laid by the Prince at the foot of the Datar Chhilla and the building has been named the Prince Victor Lapper Asylum after him. A troop of trained horsemen called the IMPERIAL LANCERS was organized this year for loyal aid to the Imperial Government whenever necessary. In recognition of the Nawab Sahib's munificent gifts to the public and introduction of reforms in the State he was decorated with the insignia of G.C.I.E. by the Imperial Government. The ceremony of investiture was performed at Rajkot by H.E. the Governor before an imposing gathering of the Chiefs of Kathiawar. This auspicious occasion was celebrated at Junagadh by the Nawab Sahib by holding a Darbar at which remission of various taxes was announced. A noteworthy feature of the Darbar was that Khairatali Khan, the Nawab Sahib's Tutor, was received on arrival by the Nawab Sahib by standing up and the whole assembly followed suit. As the Nawab Sahib had no issue he very much loved his brother RASULKHAN'S son SHERZAMANKHAN. Therefore he was sent to be educated at the Rajkot Rajkumar College in 1891 A. D.

In this year on the termination of 30 years service, Vazir Sahib tendered his resignation. But the State being in need of a man of his experience and ability it was not accepted and he was again saddled with the heavy responsibilities of the State. This very year saw the opening of a Veterinary Hospital and a Paddock for producing an excellent breed of houses. In this year the Nawab Sahib died at an earl age of 36 years, and was interred in the Mahabat Makbara. During this regime an impetus was given to the onward progress of education in the State. Railways were constructed which facilitated the extension of trade and agriculture. Large sums were spent on works of public utility. Railways cost 60 lakhs and other building 25. More than eight lakhs were given away for public works at Rajkot, AHMEDABAD and Bombay. His Highness married five wives in all but none bore him any issue. Shahpur, a place at a distance of 8 miles from Junagadh was a favorite resort of the Nawab Sahib, There a palace and garden were made. The inhabitants of the place were also the recipients of considerable princely favors. H. H. was very handsome and loved shooting. He had also a passion for flying kites, wrestling and elephant fighting. He was a skilled horseman and a liberal minded ruler.