Hyderabad Liberation Day: Why it is celebrated on September 17? Key Facts You Need to Know

September 17 is Hyderabad Liberation Day, marking the region’s freedom from the Nizam’s rule and its accession to the Indian Union in 1948.

Hyderabad was a major Indian princely state under the Nizam dynasty, which recognized British sovereignty. The seventh Nizam, Mir Usman Ali, was one of the richest men in the world. Due to its strategic size and location, Hyderabad was one of the last states to join India after independence.

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Earlier, the Indian central government officially announced on March 12, 2024 that “Hyderabad Liberation Day” will be celebrated on September 17 every year. This is an important recognition of a key moment in India’s post-independence history.

According to a notification from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, the decision is intended to commemorate the courage of those who fought to liberate Hyderabad from the rule of the Nizam and to inspire patriotism among young people.

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Why is Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrated on September 17?

Hyderabad Liberation Day is celebrated every year on September 17 to commemorate the day in 1948 when the Hyderabad region was liberated from the rule of the Nizams and joined the Indian Union.

Earlier, India’s then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel launched a military operation called “Operation Polo”.

The action was a decisive move against the Nizam’s rule and the atrocities committed by the Razakars, a private militia loyal to the Nizam who resisted Hyderabad’s integration into independent India.

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After India’s independence on August 15, 1947, Hyderabad remained under the rule of the Nizam for 13 months. The Razakars, the Nizam’s personal militia, strongly resisted the annexation of Hyderabad and committed various atrocities in the process. On September 17, 1948, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s Home Minister, launched Operation Polo, a military operation to liberate Hyderabad from the Nizam’s rule.

Following this action, Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh ruler of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, surrendered on 17 September 1948. Many consider this date to be the moment when Hyderabad joined the Indian Union. However, the official joining of the Indian Union took place later, on 26 January 1950, when the Nizam was appointed Governor of the State of Hyderabad.

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10 key facts you need to know

Operation Polo: The military operation that led to the liberation of Hyderabad on September 17, 1948 was named “Operation Polo”, reflecting the strategy of annexing Hyderabad to the Indian Union.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s role: As India’s first Home Minister, Patel played a key role in planning the move to incorporate the princely states into independent India.

Resistance of the Razakars: Under the command of the Nizam, the Razakars strongly resisted the merger with India and committed many atrocities against those who advocated the merger.

Delayed Independence: Hyderabad was one of the last regions to join the Indian Union and remained under the rule of the Nizam for 13 months after India’s independence on August 15, 1947.

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Armistice Agreement: Initially, India and Hyderabad signed an armistice agreement to maintain peace. However, escalation of violence and non-compliance on the part of the Nizam led to military intervention.

Public Support for Liberation: The liberation movement received huge support from the public and people rallied for their freedom and integration with India, marked by slogans of “Vande Matram”.

Strategic Importance: Hyderabad’s strategic location and size make its integration vital to the political and geographical unity of India.

Feudal Oppression: The liberation movement was also a struggle against the oppressive feudal system and Razakar rule, which laid the foundation for social and political reforms in the region.

Indian government commemorations: The Modi government has officially celebrated Hyderabad Liberation Day in recent years, emphasizing the historical significance and sacrifices made in the liberation of Hyderabad.

Patriotism and Remembrance: This day is celebrated every year to remember the martyrs, inculcate the spirit of patriotism among the youth and educate the public about the struggle of Hyderabad to join the Union of India.

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