Razakars (Hyderabad) facts for kids
Razakar units being trained
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| Formation | 1938 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Bahadur Yar Jung |
| Dissolved | 1948 |
| Type | Paramilitary volunteer force |
| Purpose | Support of the Nizam, Sir Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, resisting the integration of Hyderabad State into India |
| Headquarters | Hyderabad |
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Region served
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Hyderabad State |
| Leader | Bahadur Yar Jung Qasim Razvi |
| Affiliations | Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen |
The Razakars were a group of "volunteers" in Hyderabad State. They were like a special police force, or paramilitary group. They were formed to help the Hyderabadi army, which was not very big.
The Razakars were started in 1938 by Bahadur Yar Jung. He was a leader of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) group. Later, Qasim Razvi became their leader and the group grew much larger. They were made up of both Muslims and Hindus.
Some Razakars fought against rebels in Telangana. These rebels were trying to change the old feudal system where powerful landlords ruled. By 1948, some of these rebels even started working with the Razakars.
From late 1947 to mid-1948, Hyderabad had a special deal with India called a Standstill Agreement. During this time, the Indian government asked the Nizam of Hyderabad (the ruler of Hyderabad) many times to break up the Razakars. But the Nizam always said no.
When India finally sent its army into Hyderabad, the Razakars were the main group that fought against them. This event is known as the Annexation of Hyderabad. The Nizam eventually gave up and agreed to disband the Razakars. Qasim Razvi was put in jail for a while. Later, he was allowed to move to Pakistan.
History of the Razakars
Hyderabad State was a large kingdom ruled by a leader called the Nizam. In 1947, India became an independent country. All the smaller kingdoms, like Hyderabad, had to choose if they wanted to join India or Pakistan. The Nizam of Hyderabad wanted his state to stay independent.
On November 29, 1947, the Nizam made a Standstill Agreement with India. This agreement meant things would stay the same for a while.
A group called the Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (MIM) was formed in 1926. This group became very strong. The MIM wanted Hyderabad to be a Muslim state.
The Razakars were like the action group for the MIM. Their leader, Kasim Razvi, believed Hyderabad should be a Muslim state. The Razakars gained a lot of power. They started to act on their own, and the Nizam had to follow their demands. The Nizam even asked the United Nations to help with the situation in Hyderabad.
The Razakars fought against groups who wanted to join India. They also fought against farmers who were rebelling. Many people who supported joining India had to leave their homes for safety. The main political group in Hyderabad, the Hyderabad State Congress, was banned. Its leaders had to escape to other cities.
Hyderabad Joins India
Finally, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a top Indian leader, decided that India needed to act. India launched a military operation called "Operation Polo." The Indian Army entered Hyderabad from several directions. The Razakars fought for a short time. But they could not stop the much larger Indian forces. They surrendered on September 18, 1948.
Mir Laik Ali, who was like the prime minister for the Nizam, was arrested. Kasim Razvi was also arrested.
On September 22, 1948, the Nizam told the United Nations that he was dropping his complaint. Hyderabad officially joined India. Major General J. N. Chaudhuri became the military governor of Hyderabad. He stayed in charge until the end of 1949. In January 1950, a civil servant named M. K. Vellodi became the Chief Minister. The Nizam was given the title of "Raj Pramukh" or "Governor."
During the events of Operation Polo, there was violence. Many people were affected by this violence.
End of the Razakars
The Razakars were officially ended after Hyderabad joined India. The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen group was first banned. But it was later allowed to start again in 1957 under new leaders. Qasim Rizvi was in Indian prisons for almost ten years. After he was released, he moved to Pakistan.
See also
- Muslim National Guard
- Razakars (East Pakistan)
- Hyderabad State Forces
- Kasim Razvi
