Q1) Analyse the factors that contributed to the emergence of Telangana as a distinctive cultural unit in Hyderabad Princely State.
Why was this question asked?
Keywords in the syllabus: Historical Background: Telangana as a distinctive cultural unit in Hyderabad Princely State.
Approach:
The examiner will expect your answer to include the following things:
- Important factors which contributed to emergence of Telangana as a distinctive cultural unit.
Details or examples explaining each of those important factors.
Introduction
The Hyderabad Princely State consisted of Telangana, Marathwada and Kannada language speaking regions. However, Telangana’s culture in Hyderabad is distinct and diversified when compared to the other cultures. Many factors contributed to this rich and distinct culture of Telangana.
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Factors which contributed to emergence of Telangana as a distinctive cultural unit:
- Historical Uniqueness: Many royal dynasties had made different places of Telangana as their capital; The rulers gave prominence to Telugu language which contributed immensely to Telangana culture. For instance, dynasties like Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas and others ruled many parts of Telangana. Similarly, Asaf Jahis ruled Telangana from Hyderabad Golconda Fort and also for 224 years. And courageous women rulers like Rani Shankaramma led their kingdoms and brought cultural uniqueness to Telangana.
- Geographical Particularity: Telangana may be the only region where Western and Eastern Ghats simultaneously exist. The principal rivers of Krishna and Godavari flow in the region. The Gondwana rocks, dolomite and coal mines are the distinct mineral formations of Telangana. The atmosphere is very ideal for a leisurely life and hence many people across the country try to settle down in the region.
- Cultural Diversity: In the Telangana region of Hyderabad State, many cultures coexisted with each other. Telangana had become known for its composite culture. The Hindu and Muslim cultures existed together. In combination of Persian and Telugu language, a new culture known as Deccani culture had developed. The uniqueness was visible in the food and dress habits as well.
- Linguistic Distinctiveness: The words, phrases, conversations, people’s songs and customs and traditions are distinct to the native region. For instance, the dialect of Telugu that people used contained many urdu words.
- Diverse Social Conditions: According to a noted scholar, professor Jayadheer Tirumala Rao, subcaste system is predominant in Telangana region. The creative scholars of these subcastes known as ‘Gurus’ used to eulogise the distinct features of the caste. For example, certain art forms used in the process were, Dakkali Jamba Puranam, Beeranna kathalu. However, certain subcastes used to serve as subordinate castes for every dominant caste. Dominant castes also used to have their ‘mutts’ (bureau) to facilitate various services. These were distinct to Telangana region.
- Complex Economic System: The powerful Jagirdari system was prevalent in Telangana. 70% of the population depends on agriculture for their living and about 70% of revenue in the Hyderabad princely state was obtained from land cess. Lands were primarily categorised as Khalsa and Non Khalsa lands. And the system of Deshmukhs, Patels and Patwaris was created to exploit people.
Popular Movement for irrigation into Indian Union: Whether it’s the Vandemataram Movement or the working of Hyderabad State Congress, these struggles for integration into Indian Union brought a distinct character to Telangana.
Conclusion:
The glorious history between Satavahana times and Kakatiyas had firmly sowed the seeds for the emergence of Telangana culture. It got strengthened and consolidated during further regimes like Asaf Jahis, which is quite evident during the present times.
Q2) Explain the role of Salarjung reforms in bringing administrative changes in Hyderabad Princely State.
Why was this question asked?
Keywords in the syllabus: Administration in Hyderabad Princely State and Administrative Reforms of Salar Jung.
Approach:
The examiner will expect your answer to include the following things:
Role of Salarjung and his reforms in Hyderabad in the sphere of administration.
Introduction
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Salarjung reforms that brought administrative changes:
- Diwan or Prime Minister was made the head of the administration.
- The state of Nizam was divided into 5 subhas and 17 districts. Each of those divisions had efficient employees.
- Salarjung appointed youngsters as ministers and established a board called ‘Majlis-e-malguzari’ to protect talukadar system of administration in 1865.
- In 1868, he constituted ‘Sadar Ul Mahath’ and appointed four ministers and allotted portfolios like Police, Law, Revenue to the first three Ministers. The fourth minister was given portfolio of social welfare, education, health and local bodies.
- For an effective administration, Salarjung de-centralised administration into 14 departments, 7 departments were governed by ministers named after Sadar-Ul-Miham.
- Salarjung also started irrigation department in 1878, Public works department, Central Inam Office and Surveyor and Settlement Department in 1875, Census Department was established in 1880.
- The most efficient and suitable candidates were appointed in high posts. When efficient candidates were not available, there were taken from northern India. For example, Sayyed Hussain Bilgrami and Sayyed Ali Bilgrami were appointed in the highest posts.
Popular men from Hindu religion like Chandulal, Rajaram Bhakshi and Maharaja Kishan Parshad were also inducted into high posts during Nizam rule.
Conclusion:
Salarjung (originally, Nawab Turab Ali Khan) was the most efficient administrator among all the Diwans of Hyderabad State. William Digby had rightly said, “Salarjung brought about Renaissance in Nizam’s Kingdom’.
Q3) Discuss the circumstances in which the Nizam’s Subjects League (Mulki League) was established in 1935. Explain the objectives of the League. Why was it dissolved in 1939.
Why was this question asked?
Keywords in the syllabus: Establishment of Nizam’s Subjects League known as the Mulki League 1935 and its Significance.
Approach:
- Circumstances around the establishment of the League.
- Objectives of the League.
Introduction
Espousing the slogan ‘Hyderabad for Hyderabadis’, the Nizam’s Subjects League was established in 1935 under the presidentship of Nawab Nizamat Jung. There were different circumstances in which such a League was formed.
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Circumstances surrounding the League formation:
- Widespread support to the Mulki cause (due to acute unemployment): People like Maharaja Kishan Prasad, who was appointed as Prime Minister in 1901, supported the cause of Mulkis, for employment. Gradually, many people started supporting the Mulki cause. The League later took up this same cause for their agitation.
- Non-implementation of Mulki rules: Despite issuing of Farmanas (1919, 1933), for the protection of Mulkis, the issue persisted all along 1930s because of the non-implementation of those rules.
- Genesis in Osmania University: Many thought that the establishment of Osmania University in 1918 not only benefitted locals in education, but also created divisions, as northern Indian Lucknow Urdu was taken as the medium of instruction in the publication of books. Some Muslim students started ‘Edara-E-Adabiyat Urdu’ or ‘Awon-E-Urdu’ in 1930, an association to support the local language. Dr. Jorde, a teacher in the Urdu department, planted the idea of ‘Deccani Synthesis’. These all lead to the founders of the League coming from Osmania University Graduates Association too.
- Counter to Non-Mulkis: Even though Mulki rules were active for 60 to 70 years, the movements against non-Mulkis continued, the jobs continued to be captured by non-Mulkis even till 1930s. Hence, there was a need for an association which is free from caste, religion, and politics. Which manifested later in the form of the League.
Objectives of the League:
- To protect Mulki rights and explain their duties.
- To develop cooperation among different castes, sects of Nizam state.
- To fight for the protection of local language, culture, and traditions.
- To protect Hyderabad State’s monarchy rights.
- To make efforts to form Asaf Jahi family rule, which shall be responsible to the legislature.
Reason for the League’s dissolution:
The term ‘Responsible Government’ brought a severe reaction from Nizam. People also started moving out due to divisions in the League. The Hindus exited and started their own association named ‘Peoples Convention’; Hyderabad State Congress (1938) was an extension to this. With the joining of Muslim Intellectuals in Ithehadul Muslimeen for the sovereignty of Muslims, the League was dissolved in 1939.
Conclusion:
‘The Deccani Nationalism’ was also the slogan of the Mulki League. These slogans by the Mulki League have attracted and influenced the Mulkis of Hyderabad towards their objectives.
Q4) Evaluate the reasons and consequences of the police action (Operation Polo) that led to the merger of Hyderabad State into Indian Union in 1948.
Q4. Evaluate the reasons and consequences of the police action (Operation Polo) that led to the merger of Hyderabad State into Indian Union in 1948.
Why was this question asked?
Keywords in the syllabus: Merger of Hyderabad State into Indian Union in 1948.
Approach:
The examiner will expect your answer to include the following things:
- Reasons of police action by the Indian government.
Consequences of that action on people, polity.
Introduction
On 13 September 1948, Indian troops began operation polo on the Hyderabad state. It was termed as police action by C. Rajagopalachari. This was a military operation by the Indian Army to merge the Hyderabad state into the Indian union. There were several reasons leading up to this situation.
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Reasons for Police Action:
- Nizam’s refusal to join the Indian union: On 03 June 1947 Nizam passed an order that his State should be returned to him on 15 August 1947, as India was going to become free. He also made it clear that he was not willing to merge his kingdom either with India or Pakistan. He only signed the Stand Still Agreement in November 1947 to maintain status quo, which was later violated. Nizam also fetched weapons secretly through Sydney Cotton.
- Nizam’s support to Razakars, a radical Muslim militia: The sadistic acts of Razakars with the support of Nizam Police were not limited to a particular area, as they spread like wildfire in the entire state. Their ruthless activities at some villages like Bairampally, Renikunta, Rayikodu and Machireddypally stand as the testimony of their ignominy. Razakars terrorized Hindu villagers and opposed any integration with India.
- Understanding between Nizam and the communists: The Indian government was worried about the understanding between the Nizam government and the communist leaders, the lifting of ban on the Communist Party (04 May 1948), the release of Communist leaders and activists from the prison and abolition of their warrants. There is a possibility of a threat of armed struggle in Telangana spreading to rest of India.
- Pressure from public opinion and the media: political parties working the state like Hyderabad State Congress, worked to influence public opinion in the state. The media portrayed the Nizam as a tyrant and a traitor, colluding with Pakistan to undermine India’s security and safety.
Consequences of Police Action:
- People take revenge on Razakars: Guerrilla groups under the leadership of Pasham Ram Reddy attacked Razakar camps and caught hold of the weapons.
- Change in the polity of Hyderabad state: After Nizam’s surrender, Major General J.N. Chaudhari was appointed as the military ruler to streamline the administration of the Hyderabad state. The Nizam remained only as a nominal head of the government.
- Hyderabad acceded to India: In November 1949, the Nizam issued a Farman which stated that Hyderabad would be under the constitution of India.
Many Muslims killed as a reaction: Pandit Sundarlal Committee reported the killings of nearly 40,000 Muslims by Indian forces.
Conclusion:
Q5) Discuss the employment policies of Military Rule and Vellodi administration in Hyderabad State from 1948 to 1952.
Q5. Discuss the employment policies of Military Rule and Vellodi administration in Hyderabad State from 1948 to 1952.
Why was this question asked?
Keywords in the syllabus: Employment Policies under Military Rule and Vellodi,1948-1952.
Approach:
The examiner will expect your answer to include the following things:
- Employment policies adopted by the administrations in Hyderabad immediately after police action.
Explain the pros and cons of those policies with respect to then Hyderabad state.
Introduction
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Employment policies:
- Representation of all social groups: Armed forces from neighbouring states like composite Madras, Central provinces, and Bombay were brought to balance the social composition of state civil services and police services.
- Emphasis on Telugu language in state administration: As majority of the people in Hyderabad state spoke in Telugu, the government appointed certain people to give importance to Telugu instead of Urdu.
- Special drive for recruiting certain administrative personnel: To abolish the Jagirdari system and bring land holding patterns under Revenue administration, a new form of administrative personnel was required. Hence, special drives were held.
- 200 officials of Indian Civil Services were appointed: To bring stability in governments’ economic conditions and to achieve normal economic functioning, Indian Civil Service officials were required.
- Reinstated some removed employees: Based on the recommendation of an official of public service commission headed by M.A. Rahaman. Earlier, during the rule of Nizam, many employees involved in corruption and misuse of power were removed from the service.
- Reforms in Police Department and Military services: Armed forces in Hyderabad reduced from 17,870 to 10,415. While recruiting employees non-Muslims were also given importance.
Regional Employment Exchanges setup: One at Hyderabad and the other two at Warangal and Aurangabad. These exchanges undertook recruitment to medium level and lower-level posts.
Conclusion:
Though there were efforts to create employment in the state, many challenges were created. Hundreds of employees came from neighbouring places of Madras and Andhra, who took away the jobs of the locals. The non-locals appointed their own people in the name of scarcity of technical experts, acquired valuable assets and started dominating the local people. The violation of Mulki rules continued even after the introduction of these policies.
