Last reviewed 4 Nov 2026 · 2 min read
1. Hyderabad after Independence
- The Nizam wanted to stay independent and did not accede to India in August 1947.
- Standstill Agreement (November 1947) — kept the existing arrangements for a year.
- The Razakars (Qasim Razvi) terrorised the people; the Hyderabad State Congress ran a Join India satyagraha.
2. Operation Polo (Police Action), 1948
| Point | Fact |
|---|---|
| Dates | 13–17 September 1948 |
| Result | The Nizam's forces surrendered on 17 September 1948; Hyderabad joined the Indian Union |
| Military Governor | Major General J. N. Chaudhuri |
| Later | Civil administration under M. K. Vellodi (Chief Minister, 1950); the Nizam became Rajpramukh |
3. First elected government
- In the 1952 elections Burgula Ramakrishna Rao became the first elected Chief Minister of Hyderabad State.
4. The Mulki agitation (1952)
- Mulki rules reserved jobs for natives (mulkis) of Hyderabad State. After 1948 many officials from outside were brought in.
- In 1952 students began the "Non-Mulki Go Back" agitation (Warangal, then Hyderabad); police firing in Hyderabad (September 1952) killed several students.
- It was the first expression of Telangana's demand for protection of local jobs.
5. States Reorganisation and the Gentlemen's Agreement
- The States Reorganisation Commission (Fazl Ali, with K. M. Panikkar and H. N. Kunzru; report 1955) recommended that Telangana be kept a separate state for the time being, with the option to merge with Andhra later.
- The leaders of Andhra and Telangana signed the Gentlemen's Agreement (20 February 1956) with safeguards for Telangana: a Regional Council, protection of Mulki rules, reserved share of cabinet posts and of education, use of Telangana's surplus revenue for Telangana.
- Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956 by merging Telangana with Andhra State; Neelam Sanjiva Reddy became the first Chief Minister.
Revision SummaryQuick recap
- Standstill Agreement Nov 1947; Operation Polo 13–17 Sept 1948; surrender 17 Sept.
- J. N. Chaudhuri — military governor; Vellodi — civil CM; Burgula — first elected CM (1952).
- Mulki agitation 1952 — "Non-Mulki Go Back".
- SRC (Fazl Ali) 1955 — keep Telangana separate for now.
- Gentlemen's Agreement 20 Feb 1956; Andhra Pradesh formed 1 Nov 1956.