Famed for his extravagant lifestyle and his love of dogs, his decision to accede Junagadh to the Dominion of Pakistan following India's Independence led to the Indian Army taking military action.

[3] However, Mahabat Khanji's love for animals also extended to the regional wildlife, particularly the Asiatic lion, which at the time was on the verge of extinction in India.

[1] The Nawab helped to forestall this by preserving vast tracts of the Gir forest in order to provide the lions with a stable habitat.

He was also interested in animal husbandry, and his efforts in the field served to greatly improve the breeding stock of the local Kathiawari stallions and of the Gir cows.

[citation needed] At the time of Indian independence in August 1947, all of the princely states were advised to accede to either of the two dominions of India or Pakistan.

[citation needed] After his exile from Junagadh, Sir Mahabat Khanji and his family settled at Karachi, where he died, aged 61, on 17 November 1959 of cardiac arrest.

[citation needed] He was succeeded by his eldest son, Muhammad Dilawar Khanji, who claimed to be rightful Nawab of the state in absentia.