RUBRIC-HYDERABAD FALL

TO separate fiction from facts on the erstwhile Dominion of Hyderabad,it's last rulers,invasion by Indian Army, subsequent forced merger of Hyderabad Deccan with India,requires a great deal of unbiased in depth and analytical approach.
There are several narratives that have to be read in their proper perspectives and understanding of not the "Whats", but the "Whys" of the Authors mindset.
There are versions of the tragedy that befell Hyderabad,by those who benefited from the change.
And there are versions by those who wanted the status -qua. Then again there were intra-community differences, within the 13 % of the Muslim population of the state, that was once the size of France.
With one section, enjoying proximity to the royal court, occupying strategic positions, played the
role of fifth column and obviously were rewarded by the Indian government in the new set up.
Those who stood by the Nizam and fought against all odds to preserve the independence of Hyderabad suffered the most becoming pale shadows of their once glorious past.
The Communists, the Arya Samajis and the State Congress Party ,though small in numbers were
but proving to be very troublesome to the Nizam's government.

If one is to academically and intellectually examine the tragic past of Hyderabad's forced merger
with India,without being possessive and emotional of an era and culture,that was nurtured and groomed by the ruling elite to heights unsurpassed, but is no more; the truth is bitter.

Those who benefited from the invasion recorded events with heavy bias against the Nizam, his
government and the Razakars. Fareed Mirza, is one of them. His book, "What i Saw,Felt and Did" is highly critical of Nizam. A graduate of Osmania, he was appointed Tehsildar in one of western districts. He was mesmerized by India's freedom fight and adored Nehru. He even attended the the 1942 Congress Session in Bombay clandestinely and was among the seven prominent Muslims who were against the Nizam's feudalistic rule. Albeit praising Qasim Razvi, the Majlis Supremo
for his unmatched dedication and honesty, he brands the Razakars as nothing but gang of thieves and robbers terrorizing the countryside.Accusing them of killing Hindus

Laiq Ali, the last Prime Minister of Independent Hyderabad writes a different version in his book,
" The Tragedy of Hyderabad" which was banned by the government of India,reproduced recently by Deccan Archeology and Cultural Research Institute,despite protests by vested interests.
His version gives a more pragmatic insight into the working of the Nizam's inner circle of "Chamchas"
and the mischief played by the K.M. Munshi, India's Agent General in Hyderabad, and
how Gandhi was willing to listen to Hyderabad's plea to remain within India, but maintain its own
independence in local governance.He also records the shenanigans Nehru, Sardar Patel and V.K Menon were indulging in and the double speak of Nehru in private conversations and at
public meeting.
The book by Maj.Gen Syed Ahmed El Edroos," Hyderabad of the seven loaves" is more of
an autobiographical sketch of himself,with a strong defence of why he did not fight the invading Indian army and signed the instrument of surrender. He also blames the Razakars and Laiq Ali for the debacle.
An interesting booklet that has surfaced recently on the subject is" Hyderabad Liberation Day- a misnomer" authored by Dr Capt(Retd) Lingala Pandu Ranga Reddy. 11 Gorkha Rifles and printed by K M Arifuddin of Global & Medina Group of Institutes Hyderabad.
Capt Reddy has recorded some very damning evidence of the entire drama that was played by both
"us" and "them".to bring about the fall of Hyderabad, which otherwise could have held the invading
Indian Army for at least another 20 days from reaching Hyderabad, by which time Hyderabad's case at the UNO would have come up for discussions( the date was set for Sept 20- Jinnah died September 11,1948 at 11 PM, Indian Army was ordered to attack Hyderabad 12th September 1.30 PM)
He has even named people who were rewarded for betraying secrets of Hyderabad Army and government to K.M Munshi to be passed on to Delhi.

What one would discern from reading various narrations is, while other nations may have lost
their independence to the power and strength of the usurpers . We lost ours, because of our own follies and the pattern continues from
the fall of Baghdad in 1258 to the fall of Hyderabad in 1948.

I end reproducing a sorrowful dialogue that is recorded by Nasir uddin al Tusi (1274),who was present when this exchange took place between the conquering Mongol Halaku Khan and the vanquished Abbasid Caliph Mutassim.
Halaku while examining the palace of Muttasim,was presented with huge treasure of gifts by Muttasim. What ever was presented Halaku distributed among his commanders and chieftains.
He then set a golden tray before Muttasim and ordered," eat".
Muttasim replied" it cannot be eaten"
Then said Halaku, why did thou keep it and not give it to thy soldiers? and why did did thou not make these iron doors into arrow heads and come to the bank of the river so that i might not have been able to cross it.?
" Such" replied the captive Caliph," was the will of God"
" What will befall thee,' said Halaku " is also God's will.

Syed Qamar Hasan.
Abu Dhabi.

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