Is it true that Jodhpur wanted to join Pakistan in 1947?

 In 1947, the Hindu king of Jodhpur was so tempted to join Pakistan that Muhammad Ali Jinnah handed him a signed, blank sheet of paper and told him to write his own terms.

When the British partitioned India, the over 500 princely states had to choose between acceding to India or Pakistan. Jodhpur was a massive, Hindu-majority desert state sharing a long border with Pakistan. Its young ruler, Maharaja Hanwant Singh, saw a rare opportunity for leverage. Jinnah, hoping to drive a wedge into India's western frontier, was prepared to give the Maharaja whatever he wanted. The offers on the table included free access to the Karachi port, arms manufacturing rights, and independent jurisdiction over the regional railway system.

Indian leaders Lord Mountbatten and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel quickly learned of the secret negotiations. Patel recognized that losing Jodhpur would be disastrous for the territorial integrity of independent India. He stepped in with a counter-offer, guaranteeing Jodhpur the continuation of its railway jurisdiction and offering robust famine relief. More importantly, Mountbatten warned Hanwant Singh that his Hindu subjects would almost certainly revolt if he aligned a Hindu-majority state with a Muslim nation during a time of intense communal violence.

The pressure from both sides brought Hanwant Singh to a breaking point. During a tense meeting in Delhi to finalize the Instrument of Accession with V.P. Menon, the Secretary of the Ministry of States, the Maharaja finally agreed to sign his state over to India. As soon as Mountbatten left the room, however, the young king snapped. In a sudden fit of rage, Hanwant Singh pulled out a .22 caliber pistol hidden inside a specialized pen, pointed it directly at Menon's head, and shouted, "I refuse to accept your dictation!"

Mountbatten rushed back in upon hearing the commotion and managed to defuse the situation. Hanwant Singh calmed down, the accession papers went through, and Jodhpur officially became part of India. The Maharaja’s flirtation with Pakistan ended up being a brief diplomatic crisis, but his blank-check offer from Jinnah remains one of the most remarkable near-misses of the partition.

Maharaja Hanwant Singh, the ruler of Jodhpur who briefly considered aligning his state with Pakistan during the 1947 partition of India. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Which are some best places to visit in or around Jodhpur?

Jodhpur is often referred to as “the blue city of India”, due to the many blue-painted houses surrounding Mehrangarh fort. The second largest city of Rajasthan is divided into two: the old city and the new city. This city is also known as the “Sun City” as it experiences the bright, sunny weather for most of the year. Jodhpur is located on the edge of the Thar Desert, because of which the temperature peaks very high and dry during the summer.

Jodhpur is also famous for its handicrafts, artifacts, and Jodhpuri jutties. Tourists buy famous jutties during their visit and also try the famous Rajasthani cuisine.

These are some of the best places to visit in and around Jodhpur.

Mehrangarh Fort

One of the largest and most famous forts of Rajasthan was built in 1459. There are a number of things to see within the fort complex - several palaces, courtyards, gardens, galleries, a museum, and temples, and so on. Mehrangarh is a mesmerizing experience.

Umaid Bhavan Palace

The palace was constructed by King Umaid Singh in the 20th century and has been partially converted into a hotel and museum. The Palace Museum has some fantastic collections of rare clocks, exotic furniture, stuffed leopards, and amazing trophies.

Mandore Gardens

The former capital of the Marwar kingdom has now been converted into a sightseeing place. The fort has been dedicated to various deities and Rajput heroes. The garden is constructed with well-planned greenery and a well-designed rock landscape garden.

Jaswant thada

With thin and highly polished slabs, this mausoleum lies on the left of the Mehrangarh fort. The grounds are filled with a beautiful multi-tiered garden, carved gazebos, and a small lake. The main memorial has been built like a temple.

Balsamand Lake

The Balsamand Lake is located 5km from Jodhpur. The beauty of the lake is enhanced by the Balsamand fort situated on the banks of the lake. The peaceful environment and the well-built garden around the lake make the lake a peaceful place to sit and relax.

Visiting Jodhpur will draw you closer to the Rajasthani rich culture. Along with the forts and monuments, you can learn a lot more about the kings of Rajasthan. You can interact with the locals and try the famous Rajasthani cuisine too. This journey will be a long-lasting memory for someone who loves the ancient heritage.