Modern Telangana History - Operation Polo

Operation Polo (ఆపరేషన్ పోలో)

Source: T-SAT Lecture
Presenter: Bhooshan Govindula
Topic: Merger of Hyderabad State into Indian Union - Operation Polo

Introduction & Definition

• Operation Polo refers to the action taken to merge the Hyderabad State (హైదరాబాద్ సంస్థానం) into the Indian Union (భారతీయ యూనియన్).
• It occurred post-Indian independence when Hyderabad resisted joining India.
• Different historians and contexts have given it various names.
• The operation resulted in Hyderabad becoming a Part-B state within the Indian Union.

Background & Context

• At the time of India's independence (1947), there were over 562 Princely States (స్వదేశీ సంస్థానాలు).
• Most states joined India, but four initially resisted: Junagadh, Kashmir, Hyderabad, Travancore.
• Hyderabad, being a large and powerful state with strong ties to the British, was the most significant holdout, seeking complete independence.
• 1946: British Govt announces imminent independence for India.
• June 1946: Meeting of Princely State representatives chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru. Attended by Hyderabad representatives including Burgula Ramakrishna Rao and Swami Ramananda Tirtha, and Communist leaders like Ravi Narayana Reddy.
• February 1947: Attlee Statement by British PM Clement Attlee suggests independence could be granted to more than one central authority, hinting at partition and options for states.
• May 7, 1947: Meeting at Karbala Maidan, Secunderabad, addressed by Socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan, urging people to demand Hyderabad's merger with India.
• Reaction: Nizam bans JP Narayan, leading to protests led by Burgula Ramakrishna Rao (Hyderabad State Congress - HSC).
• June 3, 1947: Mountbatten Plan announced, outlining partition and the process for Princely States' accession. Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy and first Governor-General of independent India. His secretary was V. P. Menon.
• June 12, 1947: The 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, declares Hyderabad an independent sovereign state (సర్వ స్వతంత్రుడని).
• Nizam had resources and the support of Kasim Razvi, leader of MIM (Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen), appointed in 1946.

Standstill Agreement (యధాస్థితి ఒప్పందం)

• Nizam sends a committee (Moin Nawaz Jung, Abdul Rahim, Chattari Nawab, Ali Ahmed) to negotiate with Mountbatten.
• Negotiations lead to the Standstill Agreement, signed on November 29, 1947, between the Nizam and the Government of India (represented by Nehru).
• Duration: Valid for one year.
• Purpose: To maintain the status quo relationship that existed with the British government prior to independence for a year, allowing time for a final decision.
• Key Terms:
  1. Hyderabad to remain neutral in any India-Pakistan conflict.
  2. Establish a popular/responsible government (ప్రజా ప్రభుత్వం) within the year.
  3. Release arrested political prisoners (including HSC leaders).
  4. Grant fundamental rights (freedom of speech, assembly etc.) immediately.
  5. Indian currency (భారతీయ కరెన్సీ) to be valid (చెల్లుబాటు) in Hyderabad (alongside Hyderabad's own Hali Sikka).
  6. External Affairs, Defence, and Communications of Hyderabad to be under Indian government control.
  7. Indian banks and insurance companies allowed to operate in Hyderabad.
• Appointment of Agents: India appointed K. M. Munshi as Agent-General in Hyderabad. Hyderabad appointed Nawab Zain Yar Jung as Agent-General in Delhi.

Violations of the Standstill Agreement (by Nizam)

• Nizam, influenced by Kasim Razvi, violated the agreement's spirit and terms.
• Sought external support from England and America.
• Sent military chief El Edroos to England for arms deals.
• Made agreement with ex-British officer T. T. Moore for ammunition.
• Restricted the use of Indian currency in Hyderabad.
• Gave a ₹20 crore loan to Pakistan using Indian securities without permission.
• Smuggled arms from Goa via Australian dealer Sydney Cotton. (Reported by V. Ramachandra Rao).
• Established arms factories in Moti Mahal, Golkonda, and Chaderghat.
• Increased Razakar atrocities, creating fear (e.g., Bairanpally Massacre).

Join India Movement & Bomb Attack

• August 7, 1947: HSC leaders (Swami Ramananda Tirtha, Burgula Ramakrishna Rao) launch the Join India Movement (జాయిన్ ఇండియా ఉద్యమం).
• Movement had overt (బహిర్గత) and covert/underground (అంతర్గత) activities, similar to Quit India movement.
• December 4, 1947: Attempted bomb attack on the 7th Nizam at King Kothi Palace by Arya Samaj's Kranti Kar Dal members (Narayan Rao Pawar, Gandiah, Jagadish). The attempt failed.
• Konda Lakshman Bapuji was implicated (Accused No. 7) but acquitted.
• Narayan Rao Pawar is known as "Hyderabad Bhagat Singh".

Operation Polo (Police Action)

• Indian government, led by Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, decides on military action due to the deteriorating situation and agreement violations.
• Initial Code Name: Operation Caterpillar.
• Final Code Name: Operation Polo (named after the numerous polo grounds in Hyderabad).
• Official Terminology: Called a "Police Action" to present it as an internal law and order measure, avoiding international complications.
• Also referred to as Hyderabad Integration.
• Dates: September 13, 1948 (Monday) to September 17, 1948 (Friday). Duration: 5 days (~108 hours).
• Key Indian Military Leaders:
  • Overall Commander: Lt. Gen. Maharaj Singh.
  • Southern Command Chief: Lt. Gen. E. N. Goddard.
  • Field Commander (leading troops): Maj. Gen. J. N. Chaudhuri.
• Hyderabad Army Commander: Maj. Gen. Syed Ahmed El Edroos.
• September 17, 1948: Hyderabad army surrenders; El Edroos surrenders to J. N. Chaudhuri.

Aftermath

• Nizam bans the Razakars.
• Accepts resignation of his PM, Mir Laiq Ali.
• Withdraws the complaint filed against India at the UNO (lodged August 24, 1948 via Sir Walter Monckton).
• Hyderabad State formally merges with the Indian Union.
• Maj. Gen. J. N. Chaudhuri appointed Military Governor (Sept 1948 - Dec 1949).
• M. K. Vellodi appointed first civilian Chief Minister (Jan 1950 - Mar 1952).
• Burgula Ramakrishna Rao becomes the first elected Chief Minister after the 1952 General Elections.
• Mir Osman Ali Khan appointed Rajpramukh of Hyderabad State (1950 - 1956).

Contemporary Comments on Standstill Agreement

• Free Press Journal: "The agreement leaves the subjects of the state to the mercy of the Nizam." (ఈ ఒప్పందం సంస్థాన ప్రజలని నిజాం దయాదాక్షిణ్యాలపై వదిలేసింది).
• Madras Mathrubhumi: "This agreement is a Munich betrayal." (ఈ ఒప్పందం ఒక మ్యూనిచ్ బిట్రేయల్).
• Jayaprakash Narayan: "Hyderabad has been granted another year's grace period as a gift." (హైదరాబాద్ కు మరో సంవత్సర పుణ్యకాలం ఉచితంగా లభించింది).