Operation Polo Lecture Notes

ఆపరేషన్ పోలో (Operation Polo)

Lecture by: Bhooshan Govindula (Subject Expert, T-SAT)

Introduction

Operation Polo is discussed as part of Modern Telangana History.
Definition: It was the action (చర్య) undertaken to merge the Hyderabad State into the Indian Union.
The lecture aims to explore the reasons, execution, and outcomes of this operation.

The operation took place from September 13, 1948 (Monday) to September 17, 1948 (Friday).
Primary Cause: Violations (ఉల్లంఘనలు) by the 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan.
Influence of Qasim Razvi (MIM President since 1946 from Latur) on the Nizam, promoting communalism.
Violation of the Standstill Agreement (యదాస్థితి ఒప్పందం) by the Nizam.

India appointed K.M. Munshi as its Agent-General in Hyderabad for diplomatic talks.
The 7th Nizam rejected Munshi's diplomatic approaches, influenced by Qasim Razvi who favored confrontation.
Bhagyanagar Radio was established in Hyderabad by Pagadala Pullareddy to counter Nizam's propaganda and promote integration with India.
Equipment for Bhagyanagar Radio was supplied by Achyuta Patwardhan (linked to the Quit India Movement).
Broadcasters: Ramakrishna Sarma (Telugu) and T. Nagappa (Urdu).
Lawyers' Protest Committee was formed under the chairmanship of Vinayak Rao Vidyalankar in 1948 to oppose Nizam's actions.
Muslim leader Baqar Ali Mirza appealed to the Nizam to join the Indian Union but was placed under house arrest.
Qasim Razvi made provocative statements, like wanting to hoist the Asaf Jahi flag on the Red Fort in Delhi.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel famously described Hyderabad State as an "ulcer" or "cancer" in the body of India that needed to be removed, indicating the need for integration.
The formal decision for military action (Police Action) was taken on September 9, 1948.
The military strategy was known as the "Operation Goddard Plan," devised by Lt. Gen. E. N. Goddard.
Overall command was under Lt. Gen. Maharaj Rajendra Singhji.
The army was divided into 4 Units (2 Major, 2 Minor groups) attacking from different directions.
Commanders of the fronts:
- Solapur: Maj. Gen. J. N. Chaudhuri
- Vijayawada: Maj. Gen. A. A. Rudra
- Berar (Hospet): Shivadatt Singh
- Bombay: D. S. Brar
Air force leadership: Air Vice Marshal Subroto Mukerjee.
Air attacks were launched from the Pune Air Base.

The first area captured by the Indian Army was Naldurg in the Marathwada region, led by Lt. Col. Ram Singh.
By September 14, 1948, areas like Daulatabad, Osmanabad, Aurangabad, Suryapet, Nirmal, Warangal, and Khammam were captured.
On September 17, 1948, the Indian Air Force bombed Latur and Aurangabad, key Razakar centers.
On September 17, 1948, evening (5 PM), the 7th Nizam met K.M. Munshi at Lake View Guest House and agreed to surrender.
At 7 PM on September 17, 1948, the Nizam announced the surrender via Deccan Radio, stating Hyderabad would become an integral part of India (broadcast in the name of Governor-General Rajagopalachari).
Key declarations during surrender: Nizam's government resigned, Indian troops permitted in Bolarum/Secunderabad cantonments.
An interim administrative committee was formed including: Prince Azam Jah (Commander-in-Chief), El Edroos (Commander), Nawab Deen Yar Jung (Police Commissioner).
On September 18, 1948, Hyderabad Army Commander El Edroos formally surrendered to Maj. Gen. J. N. Chaudhuri.
On September 18, 1948, Qasim Razvi was arrested and jailed in Tirumalagiri Jail.
On September 22, 1948, the Nizam withdrew his complaint against India from the United Nations (UNO).

Military Governorship (September 18, 1948 - December 31, 1949): Led by Maj. Gen. J. N. Chaudhuri.
An Executive Council was formed under him on September 24, 1948.
Key Reforms under Military Rule:
- February 6, 1949: Abolition of the Hali Sikka currency through a Farmana.
- August 1949: Introduction of the Hyderabad State Jagirdar Abolition Regulation Act.
Pandit Sundarlal Committee formed in October 1949 to investigate atrocities during military rule. Based on its report, Chaudhuri was removed.
Civilian Administration (January 26, 1950 - March 1952): Headed by M. K. Vellodi (ICS Officer) as Chief Minister.
On January 26, 1950, as per the Nizam-Bharat agreement, the Nizam was declared the Rajpramukh of Hyderabad State.
Hyderabad state became a Part-B state in the Indian Union.
Deccan Radio was taken over by All India Radio in April 1950 and fully merged in 1956.

Operation Polo is also known by other names:
1. ఆపరేషన్ పోలో (Operation Polo) - Official military name (possibly due to numerous polo grounds in Hyderabad used for planning/landing).
2. ఆపరేషన్ పోలీస్ యాక్షన్ (Operation Police Action) - Termed by Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) to downplay it as an internal security measure for the UN.
3. ఆపరేషన్ కాటర్ పిల్లర్ (Operation Caterpillar) - Referring to the slow, encircling movement of troops.
4. ఆపరేషన్ కబడ్డీ (Operation Kabaddi) - Likening the strategy to the game of Kabaddi where players encircle and capture.
5. ఆపరేషన్ ట్రూమాన్ డాక్యుమెంట్ (Operation Truman Doctrine Analogy) - Compared to the US action in Korea to contain communism (though this is more of an interpretation than an official name).
September 17th observed differently:
- Karnataka: Hyderabad-Karnataka Vibhajana Dinam (Liberation Day).
- Maharashtra (Marathwada): Marathwada Sangram Mukti Divas (Liberation Struggle Day).
- Communists: Vidroha Dinam (Betrayal/Rebellion Day).