'37'

    Unlike the rest of India, the erstwhile Hyderabad State did not become free on August 15, 1947. Its day of emancipation came on September 17, 1948 as a result of intervention by the Government of India through Police Action. It marked the end of a feudal, autocratic rule influenced by fanatic elements, by the Nizam who claimed Independence on the withdrawal of the British paramountcy. It was a day when the masses came into the streets from thraldom to celebrate the greatest moment of their lives – freedom, freedom to join the Indian Union of which their State was an integral part by virtue of history and destiny.

    The first Republic Day on January 26, 1950 was another red letter day for Hyderabad, a proud moment, when joy and jubilation took over the people at large. It was a momentous occasion of unique glory – the inauguration of the Indian Republic, a day of rejoicing for the people of India and landmark on the international political map.

    In Hyderabad on that memorable day all roads led to the military parade ground. Men, women and children from various parts of the city wended their way to witness the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag. During the Nizam’s days, parades were held at Fateh maidan where the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s troops were garrisoned to vanquish the Qutb Shahi Kingdom of Golkonda. The Nizam used to take the salute on this ground specially on his birthday. But the Nizam had been dethroned on the State’s accession to the Indian Union till he became the Rajpramukh for a brief period till 1956 when Andhra Pradesh was formed and C. M. Trivedi, ICS, took over as the Governor of the newly created State.

    Hyderabad did not have an elected government on the first Republic Day. But it had a Chief Minister appointed by the Government of India, M K Vellodi, ICS, after major-General J N Chowdhary, the Military Governor, relinquished office giving place to a civilian government. But Vellodi retained the whole Cabinet – D S Bakhle, ICS, D R Pradhan, ICS,V S Rao, M Seshadri, P H Krishna Rao, Nawab Zain Yar Jung and Raja Dhonde Raj attended the first Republic Day parade if I remember correctly. The Chief Minister, M K Vellodi, took the salute at a colourful ceremony and displays of military mite before one of the largest congregations of men, women, students and children in their best attire. They waved the tri-colour flags, made of cloth or paper, raised slogans like "Indian Union Zindabad" and "Indian republic Zindabad".

    I was then 22 and worked as a correspondent of The Hindu as number two and also represented Andhra Patrika. I was a witness to this historic moment when the Republic was ushered in. It was a special occasion for Hyderabad as it marked the final blow to imperialism and the feudal order. The surging enthusiasm of the people was evident all over. Apart from the invitees, officials and non-officials were seated in shamianas. These people by and large gathered to see the birth of the republic in large numbers. There was rejoicing and enthusiasm all around when an impressive march past was held and the national anthem was sung.

    The Chief Minister, M K Vellodi, was received by the Sub-area Commander. He was first introduced to L C Jain, ICS, who was then the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Collector of Hyderabad and the senior officers of the three services - the Army, Navy and Air Force.

    After the parade stood to attention the Chief Minister addressed the vast gathering dwelling at length on the significance of the Republic Day.

    A colourful ceremony was held in the Jubilee Hall when His Exalted Highness, the Nizam of Hyderabad "proclaimed" the inauguration of the Indian Republic and took the oath of office as Rajpramukh of Hyderabad. Seated in an open six-horse State coach, the Nizam left his palace at 9.40 a.m. and arrived at the Jubilee Hall at 10.15 a.m. where he was received by the Chief Minister, the Chief Justice, Ramachadra Naik and Ministers of the Hyderabad government. The Nizam then headed a procession along with the Chief Minister followed by the Chief Justice and Ministers of Government and was conducted to the marble pavilion where he took his seat on a gilded chair.

    The proceedings of this brief but impressive ceremony began with the reading of the Proclamation by the Nizam.

    The Nizam then took his oath as Rajpramukh. The text of the oath ran thus, "I, Mir Osman Ali Khan, Nizam of Hyderabad, do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully discharge the functions of Hyderabad, will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the constitution and laws and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Hyderabad".

    The Nizam next hoisted the flag of the Indian Union a few yards away and resumed his seat when 20 guns were fired.

    All public buildings flew India’s flag and many buildings were tastefully decorated.

    About 500 prisoners were released a day earlier to mark the occasion. The poor were fed by the State and prisoners treated to special diet including fruits.