1949-Amalgamation of States’ Post Offices
Continued..

HYDERABAD STATE is situated on the Deccan plateau, in the heart of the sub continent, from East Coast to West Coast. It is surrounded by the Central Provinces in the north, Bombay in the west and Madras on the east and south. It had an area of 86,698 sq. miles and a population of 117 millions. Although the Muslims represented less then 15% of the population, they filled almost all government posts including those in army and the police. In population, revenue and importance, it was the premier State in the country. Hyderabad had its own coinage, paper currency and stamps.

Labels - in Hindi & Urdu language were printed for Hyderabad War as “FAITHFUL ALLY” to collect funds. (See arrows)

Nizam Mir Usman Alikhan Bahadur succeeded to the throne on 29th August 1911. After 1918, Nizam was granted the title of “Faithful Ally of the British Government”, by the King Emperor.

After the announcement of the plan by the Crown, regarding the status of the Indian States vide Indian Independence Act, the Nizam issued a firman on 26th June 1947 declaring that Hyderabad would neither participate in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan nor of India and making it clear that on 15th August he would be entitled to resume the status of an independent sovereign.

On 11th July 1947, the Nizam sent a delegation to Delhi to meet Lord Mountbatten and the States Department, to negotiate on Dominion Status for Hyderabad or accession of Hyderabad to India. But no agreement was in sight till 15th August 1947. Therefore 2 months extension was given to Nizam. Negotiation again started from 17th August, but reached a stalemate, even after 3 months. By 18th October, Mr. V. P. Menon prepared a draft of Stand Still Agreement, which was acceptable to Sardar, Nehru and Lord Mountbatten. It was also approved by Nizam. On 27th October 1947, a melodrama was enacted by Razakars, a para military wing of Ittehad-ul-Musalmeen, who prevented the delegation to leave for Delhi. The delegation was dissolved and a new was appointed. The new delegation tried to change, the agreement but failed. Therefore, the Stand Still Agreement was signed on 29th November 1947.

A registered letter posted from Hyderabad Residency Post Office dated 18th June 1948, which was received at Bombay on 21st June 1948.	Indian Post Office was working in Hyderabad without any problem, though the State was creating problems with India.

The Government of India implemented the Stand Still Agreement and withdrew the Indian Army from Hyderabad. But Nizam wanted to buy time to assert his independence. He went on persisting his negative approach. In April 1948, Nizam rejected the suggestion of India, to hold plebiscite in Hyderabad to test the will of the people on the issue of accession. On 16th April 1948, Sardar Patel warned that India would not ever agree to Hyderabad’s independence. The Indian Government also noticed that the activities of the Rajakars grew in intensity and violence and border incidents assumed grave proportions. The Indian troops were posted on the Indian boundary to prevent the import of Pathans and Muslims into the State. In an endeavour to convert the minority into majority in the State, Muslims were encouraged to emigrate and Hindus were terrorized to migrate from the State. There was a complete breakdown of Law and Order.

Unable to bear the deplorable condition of the State, some prominent citizens including several eminent Muslims wrote to Nizam about the deteriorating conditions of Law and Order and urging him to disband Rajakars. When the letter was published in Urdu paper Imroz, his editor was hacked to death by Rajakars, on order of Kasim Rajavi the leader of Rajakars.

On 7th September 1948, the Indian Government requested Nizam to take immediate steps to disband the Rajakars who were involved in murder, rape, arson and pillage and had created wide spread anarchy within Hyderabad.

When Nizam’s Government blamed India for the activities of Rajakars, a decision on 9th September 1948 was taken to send Indian troops into Hyderabad to restore peace. An ultimatum was delivered by Mr.V. P. Menon, Secretary to the Ministry of States to the Nizam on 10th September 1948.

During “OPERATION POLO” or “POLICE ACTION”, the postal services in Hyderabad were effected in the 3rd week of September 1948. Letters addressed to Hyderabad were returned to sender with appropriate hand-stamps.

The first is dated 20th September 1948 posted from Madras, which received a hands-stamp reading “SERVICE TEMPORARILY / SUSPENDED RETURNED / TO SENDER.”	The second is also dated 20th September 1948 posted from Poona, received a hand-stamp, reading “SERVICE SUSPENDED”.

On Monday September 13th morning, the Indian forces marched into Hyderabad. They were commanded by Major - General J. N. Chaudhri under the direction of Lt. General Maharaj Sri. Rajendrasinhji, who was then the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Command. This operation was given the name “Operation Polo” by the Army Head Quarters and “Police Action” by the then Governor General Mr.C. Rajagopalachari. It was a two pronged advance, the main force moving along the Sholapur - Hyderabad road, a distance of 186 miles, and a smaller diversion moving along the Bezwada - Hyderabad Road, a distance of 160 miles.

On the evening of 17th September 1948, the Hyderabad army surrendered. On 18th September 1948, Indian troops entered Hyderabad city. The operation lasted for 108 hours. Major General Chaudhri took charge as Military Governor on 18th September 1948 and remained till December 1949. After him Mr.M. K. Vellodi, I.C.S., took over the administration of the State as a Chief Minister.