Paper: GS – II, Subject: Post Independence India, Topic: Integration of Princely States, Issue: Operation Polo.
Context:
The annexation of Hyderabad through Operation Polo in 1948 was a pivotal event in India’s post-independence unification.
- Faced with the Nizam of Hyderabad’s refusal to accede to India and his unwillingness to install a responsible government, the Indian government resorted to military intervention. The swift operation not only integrated Hyderabad into the Indian Union but also ended a potential threat to national unity.
Key Takeaways:
What was the background against which Operation Polo was launched?
Intentions of Nizam of Hyderabad state:
- The Nizam of Hyderabad state, Mir Osman Ali Shah, had the intention of keeping his state as an independent entity and did not join India or Pakistan after Independence.
- The Nizam took advantage of the fact that the Indian government got preoccupied with the Kashmir war soon after Independence.
Standstill agreement with India:
- The Nizam signed a standstill agreement with India in November 1947.
- This essentially meant that a status quo would be maintained between the Indian dominion and the Hyderabad state till a solution was found.
- The agreement was signed for a period of one year during which the Indian government would not exercise any authority over Hyderabad.
Why was Operation Polo launched?
Location of Hyderabad:
- Situated in the Deccan, Hyderabad was one of the most populous and richest states.
- It had 17 districts including Aurangabad (now in Maharashtra) and Gulbarga (now in Karnataka).
Intention to have fraternal relations with Pakistan:
- The landlocked state had a majority Hindu population with the state administration almost entirely run by its Muslim rulers.
- There was no common border with Pakistan but the Nizam had every intention to have fraternal relations with that country.
Excesses of the Razakars:
- During this period, the Nizam’s administration had taken advantage of the standstill agreement signed with India.
- It started to increase the number of its irregular force called Razakars which was led by Maj Gen SA El Edroos, the Arab commander in chief of the Hyderabad state forces.
- The Razakars were a paramilitary force in the Hyderabad State. It was created to support the Nizam’s rule.
- It also resisted the integration of Hyderabad into the newly independent India. The Razakars primarily consisted of local radical Muslim volunteers who were loyal to the Nizam’s regime.
- The Razakars persecuted Hindus and forced them to become Muslims.
- They killed many Hindus and Hindu sympathizers, forcing them to flee the state. They also raped women.
| Operation Polo on the ground: The Indian forces were led by Maj Gen Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri, the General Officer Commanding of 1 Armoured Division. The Nizam of Hyderabad announced a ceasefire on September 17. On September 18, Maj Gen Chaudhuri entered Hyderabad city with his forces and Maj Gen El Edroos surrendered to him. Maj Gen Chaudhuri was later appointed the Military Governor of Hyderabad. |
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