Operation Polo: Hyderabad Wanted To Become An Islamic Nation
Operation Polo: Hyderabad wanted to become an Islamic nation, and was planning; Sardar Patel had shown his status.
When India became independent, it was divided into 565 princely states. Out of this, except for 3 (Kashmir, Junagarh, and Hyderabad), all others voluntarily joined India.
India had taken police action against Hyderabad, one of these three, which was named Operation Polo.
Operation Polo was a military (police) operation by the Indian Army in September 1948 to bring the Nizam-ruled Hyderabad State under the Indian Union.
The operation was successful in its objective and Hyderabad became a part of the Indian Union.
However, it remains a controversial event in Indian history, with some critics calling it a violation of Nizam Osman Ali Khan Asafzah VII’s sovereignty and an example of Indian aggression.
Hyderabad was ruled by Osman Ali Khan Asafjah VII.
Hyderabad State was one of the largest princely states in India, covering an area of about 82,000 square miles in the Deccan Plateau.
The state was ruled by Nizam Osman Ali Khan Asafzah VII, who refused to accede to the Indian Union at the time of Indian independence in 1947.
However, the Government of India rejected the offer, and Hyderabad remained outside the Indian Union.
The situation in Hyderabad was complicated by the fact that the state had a majority Hindu population but was ruled by a Muslim Nizam.
The government of Nizam Osman Ali Khan Asafzah VII was accused of discriminating against Hindus and suppressing political dissent.
There were also reports of atrocities committed by the Razakars, a private militia raised by the Nizam to maintain law and order in the state.
In August 1947, the Government of India appointed V.P. to send a delegation led by Menon went to Hyderabad to negotiate the accession of the state to India.
However, the talks failed and the Nizam announced his intention to remain independent.
In response, the Indian government imposed an economic embargo on Hyderabad, cutting off supplies of food and fuel.
Nizam Osman Ali Khan Asafzah VII then turned to Pakistan for support, but the Pakistani government was reluctant to become involved in a conflict with India over Hyderabad.
The Nizam also sought help from the British government, which promised to protect the princely states during the transfer of power.
However, the British were unwilling to intervene and advised the Nizam to negotiate with India.
Operation Polo.
In September 1948, the Government of India decided to launch a military (police) operation to bring Hyderabad under its control.
The operation was named “Operation Polo” and was led by Major General J.N. Chowdhary, Chief of Staff, Southern Command of the Indian Army.
Attack on Hyderabad from three directions.
The operation was planned very carefully, and the Indian army had superior firepower and technology compared to the Nizam’s army.
The Indian Army was also supported by the local population, who were eager to see the end of Nizam’s rule.
Nizam Osman Ali Khan Asafzah VII’s forces were no match for the Indian forces, and they offered little resistance.
The Indian Army quickly captured major towns and cities, including the state capital city of Hyderabad.
On September 17, 1948, the Nizam’s forces surrendered and Hyderabad became a part of the Indian Union.
Result.
The results of Operation Polo were marked by controversy and criticism.
The Indian government defended the operation as a way to bring Hyderabad under its control and prevent it from becoming a base for anti-India elements.
The Indian government also argued that the operation was necessary to protect the rights of Hyderabad’s Hindu population, who were allegedly being discriminated against by the Nizam government.
