After India's Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (then Home Minister) gave Hyderabad three options. A - Join the Indian Union. B - Option A. C - Option B.
When India gained independence on August 15, 1947, the journey of building a nation had only just begun. The trauma of Partition was unfolding, and the economy was reeling; however, the challenge that loomed largest was unifying more than 500 princely states into one country. While some rulers accepted this quickly, many resisted, making integration a turbulent process.
And among the most complex cases was Hyderabad, then India’s largest and wealthiest princely state. Its fate was sealed a year later, on September 17, 1948, after a swift military campaign famously known as Operation Polo.
Today, to mark its anniversary, let’s revisit the backdrop, the events that led to the operation, and how Hyderabad eventually became part of India.
The state of Hyderabad, which today is divided into Telangana, the Kalyana-Karnataka region of Karnataka, and Marathwada in Maharashtra, had been ruled by the Nizams since 1724. Its last ruler, Mir Osman Ali Khan, was one of the richest men in the world at the time.
When the Indian Independence Act of 1947 gave princely states the choice to join India, join Pakistan, or remain independent, the Nizam chose the third option. He declared Hyderabad would stay independent, even though it was landlocked within Indian territory and had a predominantly Hindu population.
In November 1947, he signed a standstill agreement with the Dominion of India, which allowed him to continue ruling without Indian troops being stationed in the state. It looked like a compromise, but tensions within Hyderabad were rising fast.
Hyderabad’s feudal system was deeply unequal. Land was concentrated in the hands of a few landlords, while ordinary people, most of them Hindus, bore heavy taxes and exploitation. These conditions sparked the Telangana Rebellion, led largely by communists who fought against the Nizam’s rule.
To crush this resistance, a radical paramilitary force called the Razakars, led by Qasim Razvi, emerged. The Razakars quickly became notorious for their brutal tactics, attacking villages, silencing dissent, and spreading fear. Their violence escalated communal tensions, and at one point, they even threatened to wage war against India if Hyderabad was forced to integrate.
For India’s leadership, Hyderabad’s continued independence was becoming dangerous not just because of its strategic location, but also because instability inside the state could spill across borders.
1. Geography and Security
Hyderabad sat in the heart of the Deccan, completely surrounded by Indian territory. Leaving it independent would have been like having a hostile enclave inside India, a risk the new government simply could not afford.
2. Razakar Violence
The atrocities of the Razakars created a climate of anger and instability. Their influence grew so alarming that India could not ignore the threat any longer.
3. The Communist Factor
The Telangana Rebellion and the growing influence of communists in Hyderabad worried the government, which feared the rise of another power bloc within its borders.
These reasons made it clear that Hyderabad’s integration was essential for India’s unity and security.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s Home Minister, tried repeatedly to persuade the Nizam to join the Union peacefully. He made it clear that Hyderabad’s independence was not practical at all. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, too, preferred a negotiated settlement but grew increasingly frustrated with the Nizam’s defiance.
On September 7, 1948, Nehru issued a final ultimatum - ban the Razakars and allow Indian troops into Hyderabad. The Nizam did not comply.
And that left only one option. Patel authorized military action.
In the early hours of September 13, 1948, the Indian Army launched Operation Polo, often described as a “police action.” About 36,000 Indian troops, under the command of Major General J.N. Chaudhuri, entered Hyderabad from multiple directions.
Though the Hyderabad State Forces were sizable on paper, most of their troops were poorly trained and ill-prepared for a modern battle. Within days, Indian forces made rapid progress, capturing key positions and cutting off resistance.
By September 17, the Nizam’s commander, Major General Syed Ahmed El Edroos, surrendered to the Indian Army. Hyderabad had fallen, and the state was officially part of India.
This is one of the most important videos in Indian History - the formal surrender of Hyderabad Army in Operation Polo. How many even know it exists or watched it? In absence of Nizam's speech, this is the only one we have which orders capitulation. pic.twitter.com/PnnzFsTOKp
— Eztainutlacatl (@cbkwgl) June 16, 2025
(Credit: Eztainutlacatl)
The victory, however, came at a heavy cost. While Indian military casualties were minimal, thousands from the Hyderabad side were killed. Even more tragically, the days that followed saw widespread communal violence, with estimates of civilian deaths ranging from 30,000 to over 200,000.
The Nizam, stripped of political power, was allowed to retain his title and wealth. Later, he was made Rajpramukh (constitutional head) of Hyderabad. On January 25, 1950, the state formally signed the Instrument of Accession and became part of the Indian Union.
And that is why September 17 continues to be remembered (now officially as Hyderabad Liberation Day), marking the moment when the heart of the Deccan became part of the heart of India.
