September 13 marks the anniversary of Operation Polo.
About:
- ‘Operation Polo’, the military action launched by the Indian Army on September 13, 1948, to integrate the princely state of ‘Hyderabad’.
- Situated in the Deccan, Hyderabad was one of the most populous and richest states and had 17 districts including Aurangabad (now in Maharashtra) and Gulbarga (now in Karnataka).
- The landlocked state had a majority Hindu population with the state administration almost entirely run by its Muslim rulers.
- The Nizam was reluctant to accede to either India or Pakistan and sought to maintain his state's independence.
- There was no common border with Pakistan but the Nizam had every intention to have fraternal relations with that country.
Outcome of the operation:
- The Indian military quickly achieved control over Hyderabad, and the Nizam's forces surrendered on September 17, 1948.
- Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union, becoming the new state of Hyderabad.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, played a key role in the integration process.
