76th
anniversary of Operation Polo - HISTORY
News: India
celebrated the 76th anniversary of Operation Polo on September 13, 2023. On
this day in 1948, Indian Army launched military action to integrate the
princely state of Hyderabad.
What’s in the news?
Background of Operation
Polo
- Nizam’s
Intentions: The Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir
Osman Ali Shah, expressed his desire to keep Hyderabad as an independent
entity and did not wish to join India or Pakistan after Independence.
- Opportunity
in Kashmir War: The Nizam took advantage of the
fact that the Indian government became preoccupied with the Kashmir war
soon after Independence.
- Standstill
Agreement: The Nizam signed a standstill
agreement with India in November 1947. This agreement implied that a
status quo would be maintained between the Indian dominion and Hyderabad
until a solution was reached. It was initially signed for a one-year
period during which the Indian government would not exercise any authority
over Hyderabad.
Reasons for Launching Operation Polo
-
Geographical
Significance of Hyderabad: Hyderabad,
located in the Deccan, was one of the most populous and prosperous states
in India. It encompassed 17 districts, including Aurangabad (now in
Maharashtra) and Gulbarga (now in Karnataka).
- Desire
for Relations with Pakistan: Despite not
sharing a common border with Pakistan, the landlocked Hyderabad state had
a predominantly Hindu population with Muslim rulers. The Nizam aimed to
establish friendly relations with Pakistan.
- Actions
of the Razakars: During this period, the Nizam’s
administration capitalized on the standstill agreement with India. It
expanded the Razakars, an irregular paramilitary force led by Maj Gen SA
El Edroos, who was the Arab commander in chief of the Hyderabad state forces.
The Razakars were created to support the Nizam’s rule and resisted
Hyderabad’s integration into newly independent India.
- Razakar
Atrocities: The Razakars, primarily
composed of local radical Muslim volunteers loyal to the Nizam’s regime,
carried out atrocities. They persecuted Hindus, forcibly converting them
to Islam, and engaged in violence, including killing, raping women, and
causing Hindu sympathizers to flee the state.
- Operation
Polo was launched to bring an end to these issues and to integrate
Hyderabad into the newly formed Indian Union.
Significance of
Hyderabad's Accession to India
- Unity
and Integrity of India: The integration of Hyderabad into India,
despite opposition from the Nizam and Razakars, strengthened the
Indian Union’s unity, integrity and stability.
- Triumph
of Secularism: It was not only a significant political
victory but also a triumph of secularism, as it highlighted
the support of Indian Muslims for integration with India.
- Involvement
of Indian Muslims on India’s side created a positive
impression across the country.
- Prevented
Further Crisis: Despite ongoing talks, Hyderabad’s government
continued importing arms, preparing for conflict.
- Immediate
military operation prevented an insurgency-like situation which
might have spiralled across decades with help of foreign powers.
- Use
of Force: Arms imports and involvement of foreign
powers increased the urgency for India to resolve the
Hyderabad issue, which was now seen as a potential security threat.
- Operation
Polo showed that India would not shy away from using force
for its national interests.
- India’s
Successful Diplomacy: India’s combination of diplomatic,
military, and logistical strategies, especially the stymieing of arms
supplies.
- E.g.,
Efforts of V.K. Krishna Menon, then Indian High Commissioner in
London, literally starved Hyderabad of weapons.
Operation Polo on the Ground
- Indian
Military Leadership: The Indian forces were
under the leadership of Major General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri, who served
as the General Officer Commanding of 1 Armoured Division.
- Ceasefire
Announcement: The Nizam of Hyderabad
announced a ceasefire on September 17, signaling a halt to hostilities.
- Entry
into Hyderabad: On September 18, Major General
Chaudhuri and his forces entered Hyderabad city.
- Surrender
of Maj Gen El Edroos: Major General SA El
Edroos, the Arab commander in chief of the Hyderabad state forces and
leader of the Razakars, surrendered to Major General Chaudhuri.
- Appointment
as Military Governor: Following the surrender
and successful integration of Hyderabad into India, Major General
Chaudhuri was appointed as the Military Governor of Hyderabad, overseeing
the administrative transition of the region into the Indian Union.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/historical-records-reveal-hidden-costs-of-operation-polo-and-hyderabads-loan-to-pakistan/articleshow/113430234.cms?from=mdr