How did Hyderabad remain independent till 1948?

While India gained independence from British rule in 1947, most of the 565 princely states were incorporated into the new state through international relations or by joining India or Pakistan. However, one state that resisted this process and remained independent until 1948 was Hyderabad, one of India’s largest and wealthiest princely states.

Located in the heart of the Deccan Plateau, Hyderabad was dominated by the Nizams, a dynasty of influential kings with a record of semi-self-sufficient rule under British hegemony. The question of how Hyderabad remained independent for more than a year after Indian independence lies in a combination of political ambition, global maneuvering, strategic calculations, and ultimately naval intervention.

Hyderabad was no ordinary princely state. At the time of independence, it spanned an area of ​​more than 80,000 square miles—larger than many European countries—and had a population of nearly sixteen million. The Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, became one of the richest men in the world, ruling a culturally rich and economically prosperous region. Hyderabad had its own navy, currency, railway machinery and administrative apparatus, giving it the appearance of an independent country. The Nizam’s power, combined with his desire to maintain sovereignty, made him reluctant to join either India or Pakistan.

When the British left India in 1947, they gave the princely states the option of joining India, Pakistan or remaining independent. The Nizam chose the 0.33 option. He declared that Hyderabad could become an independent constitutional monarchy and sought international recognition for his decision. He also approached the United Nations and sought diplomatic assistance from Britain and Pakistan. But, the idea of ​​independent Hyderabad was considered unacceptable by Indian leaders, especially given its proximity to important countries and large Hindu population. Indian authorities, led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as Home Minister, saw Hyderabad’s independence as a threat to nationwide team spirit and internal security.

Although the Nizam was a Muslim ruler, about 85% of Hyderabad’s population became Hindu. Over time, this demographic imbalance affected politically. The Nizam’s leadership of the Razakars – a paramilitary organization led by Qasim Razvi that wanted to protect Muslim dominance in the country – caused major violence, atrocities, and communal unrest.

The Razakars opposed the concept of joining India and enforced the Nizam’s option of remaining independent through intimidation and armed resistance. This further alienated the Hindu population and created a volatile ecosystem with increasing violence, protests, and resistance movements over time. Reports of massacres and communal riots from Hyderabad attracted nationwide attention and challenge.

Initially, the Indian government tried to solve the Hyderabad problem diplomatically. Patel and Nehru negotiated with the Nizam, offering terms for a peaceful merger, although the talks repeatedly failed as the Nizam remained adamant on independence. Meanwhile, the Indian leadership realized that allowing Hyderabad to remain independent could set a risky precedent for other princely states and potentially encourage secessionist movements. Behind the scenes, India began planning the movement of the army, as well as trying to build public and global support for its eventual ouster.

In September 1948, after more than a year of failed negotiations and growing internal instability in Hyderabad, India launched a quick naval operation called Operation Polo, also known as the “Police Movement”. More than 36,000 Indian troops entered Hyderabad, where they faced resistance from the Razakars and parts of the Nizam’s army. The operation lasted just five days – from September 13 to September 17, 1948. The Indian Army quickly defeated the contest and the Nizam surrendered. The state was formally annexed to the Indian Union and a naval governor was appointed to oversee management until a civil authority was established.

After the operation, Hyderabad was absorbed into India and the Nizam was formally retained as a figurehead for a few years before the monarchy was formally abolished. Hyderabad’s integration was followed by land reform and democratization. Although the operation caused some communal violence, especially in the rural areas, it marked the final breakthrough in India’s political integration. The Nizam later visited Hyderabad again.

Hyderabad’s independence by 1948 became the result of political ambition, strategic hesitation and complex communal dynamics. The Nizam’s refusal to join and his attempts to seek global popularity exacerbated the deadlock. But, internal unrest and the strategic imperative of a unified India made naval intervention inevitable. In the end, the quick and decisive Operation Polo ensured that Hyderabad, like the rest of India, became part of a democratic and unified state. The story of Hyderabad’s delayed integration is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by India in transforming a fragment of princely states into a single, sovereign republic.