Marathwada Liberation Day: A Personal Story of Bravery During Hyderabad’s Police Action

Marathwada Liberation Day, also known as Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din, is celebrated across Maharashtra on 17 September every year. This day commemorates the historic moment in 1948 when the Marathwada region was liberated from the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad and integrated into the Indian Union through a military operation known as the Hyderabad Police Action.

A Personal Connection to Marathwada Liberation Day

I remember this event for two significant reasons.

First, I belong to the Marathwada region, and second, my father participated in the Police Action that led to Hyderabad’s annexation. At the time, he was serving in the Treasury Department under the Nizam of Hyderabad.

I was born and raised in Aurangabad, and our ancestral home is located on the Andhra Pradesh border, in a village called Karadkhed. As a child, I often crossed the state border on my bicycle with friends, unaware of the deep history tied to the land.

Historical Background of Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din

India gained independence from the British on 15 August 1947. Post-independence, princely states were given the choice to join either India or Pakistan.

However, Osman Ali Khan, the ruler of the princely Hyderabad State, which included today’s Marathwada, Telangana, and Kalyana-Karnataka, chose to remain independent. He even approached the United Nations seeking recognition for Hyderabad as an independent state.

This sparked unrest and rebellion across the state, especially in Marathwada, where people rose against the Nizam and his private militia, the Razakars.

Key leaders of the movement included:

• Swami Ramananda Tirth
• Govindbhai Shroff
• Vijayendra Kabra
• Ramanbhai Parikh
• P. H. Patwardhan

As a child, I was fortunate to meet many of these freedom fighters, thanks to my father who would take me to their meetings.

The Hyderabad Police Action – A Turning Point

To prevent the balkanization of India, the Indian government launched Operation Polo, commonly referred to as the Police Action, on 13 September 1948. In just five days, the Indian military defeated the Razakars and annexed the Hyderabad State.

My Family’s Role in the Liberation Struggle

My father played a courageous role in this operation—despite serving in the Nizam’s administration, he chose to fight for India’s unity.

My mother was a wonderful storyteller and often narrated the events of the Police Action with great pride. She would describe how my father and uncle, armed and trained, left home knowing they might never return. She stayed glued to the radio, fasting and praying for their safe return.

I vividly remember the emotion in her voice and the pride on her face as she recalled those anxious hours. Late that night, the family reunited—safe and victorious. That moment has stayed with me forever.

A Tribute to Our Heroes

Marathwada Liberation Day is not just a date in history for me—it’s a reminder of the bravery of my father and the resilience of my mother. Their sacrifices, and that of countless others, helped shape the Marathwada we know today.

Thank you, dear readers, for taking the time to read my story.

Stay Happy & Keep Smiling. Jai Hind!