Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 300

Who was the ruler of Hyderabad State when Operation Polo was conducted by the Indian Army?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the timeline of events related to Hyderabad State's integration into India.

Correct Answer: A) Mir Osman Ali Khan.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Civil Services, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

Operation Polo was a significant military operation conducted by the Indian Army in 1948 to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad into the Indian Union. The operation was necessary because the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, had refused to accede to the Indian Union after India's independence from British rule in 1947. The Nizam of Hyderabad was the ruler of the state, and the last Nizam was Mir Osman Ali Khan, who ruled from 1911 to 1948.

The princely state of Hyderabad was one of the largest and most populous of the princely states in India, with a population of over 16 million people. It was located in the southern part of India and was ruled by the Nizams, who were descendants of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The Nizams were known for their wealth and power, and the state of Hyderabad was one of the wealthiest and most developed princely states in India.

After India's independence, the Indian government sought to integrate all the princely states into the Indian Union. However, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, was reluctant to accede to the Indian Union and wanted to maintain the independence of his state. This led to a series of negotiations and eventually to the military operation known as Operation Polo.

The operation was launched on September 13, 1948, and lasted for four days. The Indian Army, under the command of Major General J.N. Chaudhuri, quickly overcame the resistance of the Hyderabad State Forces and the Razakars, a paramilitary force loyal to the Nizam. By September 17, 1948, the operation was complete, and Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union.

Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, was the ruler of the state during this period. He was a controversial figure, known for his wealth and his reluctance to accede to the Indian Union. After the operation, he was allowed to retain his title and some of his wealth, but he was no longer the ruler of an independent state. The integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union was a significant event in Indian history, marking the end of the princely states and the consolidation of the Indian Union.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This is the correct answer. Mir Osman Ali Khan was the ruler of Hyderabad State when Operation Polo was conducted by the Indian Army in 1948. He was the last Nizam of Hyderabad and ruled from 1911 to 1948.
  • Option B: This is incorrect. Mir Mahbub Ali Pasha was the 5th Nizam of Hyderabad, ruling from 1857 to 1869. He was not the ruler during Operation Polo.
  • Option C: This is incorrect. Sir Salar Jung was a prominent minister and advisor to the Nizam of Hyderabad, but he was not the ruler during Operation Polo. He served under Mir Osman Ali Khan.
  • Option D: This is incorrect. Mir Akbar Ali Khan was a member of the royal family but was not the ruler of Hyderabad during Operation Polo. The ruler at that time was his uncle, Mir Osman Ali Khan.

Mnemonic: O for Osman, O for Operation

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