Razakars, Hyderabad and Nizam’s bid for independence

Before we can discuss the problem created by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1947-48, we have to take a look at history. Hyderabad state was the largest state in India, but it had a majority Hindu population (93%), but a Muslim ruler. The state was part of the Mughul empire under Aurangzeb. The emperor had campaigned extensively in the Deccan and Hyderabad was an important part of the Mughal empire.

Aurangzeb died in 1707 and after his death, the empire was greatly weakened. This was the time when a Muslim governor appointed by the Mughals Asif Jah, who had been awarded the title of Nizam-ul-Malik, rebelled. It freed itself from the Mughal government in 1724 and declared independence. He was also the first Indian ruler to sign an agreement with the East India Company for their protection under a subsidiary alliance proposed by Lord Wellesley. This dynasty was in power when British rule expired in 1947.

Dreams of independence

IIn 1947 the Nizam was Osman Ali Khan. He ruled over a predominant Hindu state, but was a communalist of rank and promoted the Muslim cause. He did not want to join the Indian union and negotiated a “suspension” agreement with the new Indian government.

In addition, it began to reinforce its armed forces, recruiting Muslims from Pakistan, Bihar and UP to form an irregular militia. This militia was called Razakars and its commander was Sayed Kasim Razvi, an official of the court of Nizam. He was a lawyer by profession, but he was a close friend of the Prime Minister, Mir Laiq Ali. He was highly influential at court and nurtured rosy dreams of independence for the Nizam. He was also confident that Hyderabad would survive an Indian attack, as he raised Razakar’s force to nearly 200,000. Kasim Razvi was the founder of (MIM) Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, which still exists today.

Nizam shares

Despite the stall agreement, Nizam approached England to gain dominance status within the Commonwealth. It was rejected. He also sent a delegation to the UN through Karachi to advocate for an independent Hyderabad. His plea to the President of the United States, Harry Truman, had no effect. It continued with arms imports from Pakistan and an Australian Sydney Cotton secretly ran a weapons handling service to arm the Razakars.

The Razakars, who were all Muslims, began to terrorize the Hindu population and kidnapping, rape and looting became common. The Razakars wanted to turn Hyderabad into a Muslim state. The Arya Samaj and the local Congress party opposed the Razakars but were ineffective.

Since the Nizam did not receive any support for an independent state, it decided to access Pakistan as envisaged by the terms of the transfer of power between the British and Indian leaders. The Razakars perked up with new weapons and unleashed a reign of terror against the Hindus. Documented cases of girls being taken away and raped and forcibly converted were highlighted. The Razakars also killed those Muslims who wanted to integrate with India like Shoebullah Khan.

Indian intervention

With the Razakars gaining strength and the Nizam preparing to sign the instrument of accession to Pakistan, time was running out. Sardar Patel, the interior minister of India, wishing to avoid a repeat of Kashmir, ordered the Indian army to enter Hyderabad. The plan for the invasion was prepared by Lieutenant General EN Goddard of the CIN Southern Command. The operational commander was Major General JN Choudhary.

The invasion began on September 13, 1948 and it was all over in 96 hours. The Nizam panicked and banned the Razakars and adhered to India. Kasim Razvi was arrested and jailed. He remained in prison until 1957, after which he was released and allowed to go to Pakistan. He died anonymous and unknown in Karachi in 1970. Thus the curtain fell and Hyderabad became part of the Indian union. Just for the record, Razvi’s family still resides in Hyderabad.

Last word. The state of Hyderabad ceased to exist with the reorganization of the states along linguistic lines.