Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Hyderabad's September 17 Remains Divided Among Liberation, Police Action, Integration
In 1948, Indian troops entered Hyderabad State in an operation called Operation Polo.
The troops entered on September 13, and the operation ended on September 17.
Hyderabad then became part of the Indian Union.
Some people call this day Liberation Day because the Nizam’s political rule ended.
Others call it Police Action because that was the name many families used for the military operation.
Some prefer Integration because Hyderabad joined India.
People also experienced celebrations, violence, looting and families leaving their homes.
The Communist-led Telangana peasant struggle continued until 1951.
Because families remember the events differently, there is no single label used by everyone.
Indian troops entered Hyderabad State on September 13, 1948, beginning Operation Polo.
The military operation ended on September 17, with Hyderabad joining the Indian Union.
Jawaharlal Nehru appealed against communal antagonism in a September 18 All India Radio address.
Celebrations, looting, assaults and the departure of some Muslim families were reported after the operation.
Different communities remember September 17 as Police Action, Liberation Day or Hyderabad’s integration into India.
- Who
- Indian troops, the Nizam’s administration, Hyderabad residents, and communities affected by the violence were central to the events.
- What
- Indian forces carried out Operation Polo, ending the Nizam’s political authority and integrating Hyderabad State into India.
- When
- The operation ran from September 13 to September 17, 1948; Nehru addressed the public on September 18.
- Where
- Hyderabad State, including Hyderabad and Secunderabad, in the area now associated with Telangana and parts of the former state in Maharashtra.
- Why
- The military action resulted in Hyderabad joining the Indian Union and ended the Nizam’s political authority.
Liberation and Police Action
Integration and Historical Complexity
What should September 17 be called?
Liberation and Police Action
Supporters of “Liberation Day” emphasize the end of the Nizam’s political authority; “Police Action” was also the term most commonly recalled by several Hyderabad families.
Integration and Historical Complexity
Others prefer “Integration,” describing September 17 as the point when Hyderabad joined the Indian Union rather than as a liberation.
How should the military operation be understood?
Liberation and Police Action
The term “Police Action” reflects the language used by many families, although Sibghat Khan said it can be misleading because the event was a full-scale military operation.
Integration and Historical Complexity
The integration perspective emphasizes the political transition and the fact that Mir Osman Ali Khan was not exiled and later became Rajpramukh.
How is the human impact remembered?
Liberation and Police Action
Some accounts recall liberation from Razakar atrocities against non-Muslims and public celebrations when Indian Army columns entered Secunderabad.
Integration and Historical Complexity
Other accounts recall violence against Muslim households, looting, assaults and the departure of Muslim families from some localities.
- Operation name
- Operation Polo
- Military action
- Indian troops entered Hyderabad State at 5 a.m. on September 13, 1948.
- End date
- The operation ended on September 17, 1948.
- Public address
- Jawaharlal Nehru appealed against communal antagonism on All India Radio on September 18.
- Post-operation status
- Mir Osman Ali Khan remained in Hyderabad and later became Rajpramukh of Hyderabad State.
- Continuing conflict
- The Communist-led Telangana peasant armed struggle continued until 1951.
- Common labels
- Police Action, Liberation and Integration emphasize different aspects of the transition.