The princely state of Hyderabad went through bitter communal strife in the years leading up to the integration of Hyderabad to the Indian Union. The Nizam of Hyderabad's despotic reign had led to a lot of opposition movements flowering across different parts of the state. The majority Hindu community- comprising almost 80% of the population had been deprived of their rights for decades, and with the partition of the country in 1947, the prospect of their secure existence seemed bleak. The period between August 1947 and September 1948 witnessed a paramilitary organisation called the Razakars unleashing unprecedented violence on the Hindus, Communists and all the other forces opposed to the Nizam. The Razakars functioned in cahoots with the political party named Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM). They were staunchly opposed to a merger with the Indian Union, and wished to secure an 'Azad Hyderabad' that could function on Islamic ideals.

 

In June 1947, on the eve of independence, the Nizam made it clear that Hyderabad wouldn't join the Constituent Assemblies of either India or Pakistan. In September 1947, he signed a Standstill Agreement with the Indian Union, but his duplicity was evident as a few months later, he provided a loan of Rs 20 Crore to Pakistan.

 

It was under such circumstances that different organisations and influential groups pooled in their resources to challenge the autocratic rule of the Nizam and his radical supporters. This coagulation of efforts is often hailed as the Hyderabad Mukti Sangram.

 

The three most prominent groups involved in this struggle were: the Arya Samajis, the Hindu Mahasabha and the Hyderabad State Congress.

The Arya Samaj arguably made the greatest sacrifices in this period. A young twenty old boy called Ved Prakash was beheaded by the Razakars. Later, the Nilanga Arya Samaj Temple at Latur was also demolished by the supporters of the Nizam. In spite of suffering heavy collateral damage, the Arya Samaj continued their courageous movement to challenge the Nizam's regime.[ref]

 

The most vocal opponent of the regime, though, was the Hyderabad State Congress, headed by Swami Ramananda Tirtha. The Congress carried out processions and made a number of sacrifices. After independence, when a ban was imposed on hoisting the tricolour, the State Congress and Swami Ramananda ensured that thousands of people unfurled a flag on top of their houses. Students in schools that had a presence of the Arya Samaj or the other leaders of the movement were encouraged to recite Vande Mataram, a song that had also been banned by the Nizam. Swami Ramananda Tirtha became the face of this movement, and the memory of his efforts continues to be honoured today.

 

The Hindu Mahasabha formed the third vital front of this movement. In 1939, under the leadership of Swatantraveer Savarkar, it had spearheaded the Bhaganagar struggle, and even in 1947-48, the Mahasabha led processions to amass support against the Nizam's regime.

 

 

Meanwhile, protracted negotiations between the Indian government and the Nizam didn't make much headway. Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon had successfully integrated almost five hundred princely state, but Hyderabad had turned to be a thorn in their side. Finally, on 13 September 1948, a 'Police Action' was launched by the Indian Armed forces, and within three and a half days, the Nizam's forces were crushed. On 17 September 1948, the state of Hyderabad acceded to the Indian Union.[ref]