Flag of Hyderabad State facts for kids
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| Use | Civil and state flag   |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | 13 September 1948 |
The Flag of Hyderabad State was the official flag of the Hyderabad State. This flag featured green and red colors, with a white star and a reversed Crescent in the middle. It was used as the state flag until Hyderabad became part of India in 1948.
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The Flag of Hyderabad State
The flag of Hyderabad State was a unique symbol of this important region. It showed a green background with a red section on the "fly" side (the part that waves in the wind). In the center, it had a white star and a crescent moon, which are traditional symbols. This flag represented the independent spirit of Hyderabad before it joined India.
A Rich History
The rulers of Hyderabad State belonged to the Asaf Jahi Dynasty. Their family came from Central Asia, specifically from a city called Samarkand, though their origins were in Baghdad. In 1724, a powerful Mughal governor named Asaf Jah, Nizam ul-Mulk, decided to become an independent ruler of the Deccan region. He made Hyderabad his capital, and the state became known by that name.
The rulers who came after the first Nizam became close friends with the British. They often helped the British fight against other powerful groups like the Maratha dynasty, Tipu Sultan of Mysore, and the French. Later on, the Nizam's soldiers even fought alongside the British Indian Army in major wars, including the First and Second World Wars. Because of their help, the Nizams received many special titles and honors from the British Emperor.
Hyderabad's Dream of Independence
Hyderabad was the largest and most important of all the princely states under British rule in India. When India and Pakistan became independent countries in 1947, the ruler of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII, decided that his state would not join either of them. He wanted Hyderabad to be an independent country.
Hyderabad was a very successful state. It had its own army, railway system, airline, postal service, and radio network. On August 15, 1947, India declared its independence, and Hyderabad also declared itself independent.
At that time, Hyderabad State was huge, covering about 82,698 square miles (214,190 square kilometers). This made it bigger than countries like Belarus. It had a population of about 16.34 million people (in 1941), and most of them (83%) were Hindu.
Because Hyderabad was so strong and prosperous, the Nizam truly believed it could remain independent when the British left in 1947. He refused to join either Hindu-majority India or Muslim-majority Pakistan. Instead, he hoped to form his own separate Kingdom within the British Commonwealth of Nations.
The End of Independence
The Nizam's dream of an independent Hyderabad did not last long. India did not agree with Hyderabad's decision to remain separate. In 1948, India took military action to bring Hyderabad into the Dominion of India. This action ended Hyderabad's independence.
Even though the people of Hyderabad were mostly Hindu, and the ruler was Muslim, the state was known for its religious tolerance. It was ruled by smart and cultured leaders who kept many good traditions from the old Mughal times. However, after the military action, this independent state no longer existed.
Nizam flags
