India was independent on August 15, 1947, but my family and millions more Indians were able to enjoy true independence on September 17, 1948. This was due to one man, i.e. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , the Iron Man in India. My family and others from the region suffered terrible hardships during the period 15 August 1947-17 September 1948. What was the September 17th 1948 event? What is the significance of this date? Why is Sardar Patel so significant in our history?
Because on September 17, 1948, the Nizam of Hyderabad was defeated and the Indian armed forces made Hyderabad a part the Indian Union. Sardar Patel’s will, which led to Operation Polo, made all this possible. In parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra, the 17th September is still celebrated as Hyderabad Liberation Day. My family is from Gulbarga, Karnataka, which was once part of the Nizam’s Hyderabad State.
In 1947, the condition of Hyderabad State
All princely states had the option to join India or Pakistan, or remain independent. Nearly all princely states on the Indian mainland accepted to join the Indian Union. The exception to this rule was the one of the most powerful and wealthy princely states in India at that time, namely. The Hyderabad State was ruled over by Asif Jah VII, Nizam Osman Ali Khan. The Nizam, who chose to remain independent against the will of the majority of his people, hoped to keep the state with his irregular armies.
Many revolts against the Nizam erupted as most people in the region wanted the Indian Union to be created. The Nizam responded to this rebellion by creating the Razakars, a private militia unit. They were the most brutal of all and held the power at that time. The Nizam was a puppet, and the Razakars were free to do whatever they wanted.
The Razakar militia ruthlessly crushed the armed rebellions of Communists and the Peasantry, committed atrocities against the population, and even killed patriotic Hyderabadi Muslims like Shoebullah Khan, who supported India’s merger. Numerous women were raped and many others were sent to prison, where they suffered the inhumane treatment of the oppressive regime. Although it is difficult to estimate the exact number of victims, there are believed to be tens to thousands. The Indian National Congress’ state unit was expelled and its leaders were forced to flee to Vijaywada, Bombay.
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What did ordinary people do to escape the Razakars? Common people fled their homes to seek refuge in areas that were part of the Indian Union. My family members moved from Gulbarga, India to Bijapur. Some of them moved to Solapur in Maharashtra and Pune in Maharashtra. My uncle shared with me how difficult it was back then for trains to get full. Some would sleep, while others would stare at the trains’ roofs with despair.
Others would take care of the small luggage that they carried. The people of Hyderabad State were going through a very difficult time at that point.
Operation Polo: Indian Integration in Hyderabad State
In the midst of atrocities committed by the Razakars the Indian Home Minister Sardar Ptel decided to annexe Hyderabad and end the Nizam’s rule for good. The Indian Army formulated the Goddard Plan after receiving instructions from the government to seize Hyderabad and annexe it. It was laid out by Lt. General E. N. Goddard (commander-in-chief of the Southern Command).
Two main thrusts were planned – Solapur in West and Vijayawada East – while smaller units held down the Hyderabadi army at the border. The overall command was handed over to Lt. General Rajendrasinghji (DSO). After five days of fighting, the Razakars as well as the rest of Nizam’s forces were defeated on all fronts. The armed conflict was ended by the Nizam at 5 pm on 17/09/2010. The Nizam was finally defeated.
The Razakars, who were brutal, were defeated. There was a flip side to this whole operation. Both during and after the operation, large-scale communal violence was experienced. Many innocent people were killed. However, millions of people fled their homes before these events and were happy to see the Hyderabad State defeated. My family members, like mine, finally returned from their home and gained their livelihoods. This was all possible because of one man, Sardar Patel, who dare to attack the Nizam. Sardar Patel was the man who made all this possible.
Unification of India was clearly Sardar Patel’s greatest achievement. His single greatest achievement was the Indian integration of Hyderabad State.
The Razakars saved thousands of people. Balkanization of Hyderabad was stopped. Most importantly, those who had lost everything before this happened got most of their belongings back. This is why we celebrate independence day twice a year. The country celebrates independence day twice a year, once on August 15th with the rest of India and again on September 17th for Hyderabad Liberation Day. Sardar Patel, thank you so much for being our savior and hero during those dark times.
