Hyderabad, the erstwhile princely state ruled by the Nizam, was brought under Indian control on 17 September 1948. The operation, known as Operation Polo, had been underway for five days, beginning on 13 September when Indian forces entered the city. The Nizam’s armed forces finally surrendered on the 17th, ending their autonomous rule.
The campaign was a coordinated effort between the Indian Army and the forces loyal to the Nizam. It ended the Nizam’s reign and incorporated Hyderabad into the Indian Union, a key step in consolidating the nation’s territorial integrity after independence.
The event remains a significant milestone in Indian political history, illustrating the swift resolution of princely state integration following the 1947 partition.
