The Indian independence movement is remembered for the tireless efforts of millions of people who fought against colonial rule. However, while India gained independence on 15th August 1947, not every region of the subcontinent became free on that day. One such region was Marathwada, which was then under the rule of the princely state of Hyderabad.
Marathwada, a culturally rich region with a glorious past, was trapped under the oppressive rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The people of this land had to wage an additional struggle even after India’s independence, a struggle known as the Marathwada Mukti Sangram (Marathwada Liberation Movement).
The day of 17th September 1948 holds a special place in the history of Marathwada and the Indian nation. On this day, after a long and painful struggle, Marathwada was liberated from the tyranny of the Nizam and the Razakars, and it merged into the Indian Union. This day is now celebrated as Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din or Marathwada Liberation Day.
Historical Background of Marathwada
Marathwada is today a region in the state of Maharashtra, comprising eight districts – Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed, Latur, Osmanabad, Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani. Its history stretches back to ancient times, with the Ajanta and Ellora caves, Paithan (the seat of the Satavahana dynasty), and the spiritual heritage of saints like Dnyaneshwar and Eknath shaping its cultural fabric.
During medieval times, Marathwada came under the control of the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughals. With the decline of Mughal power, the Nizam of Hyderabad, who had earlier been a governor under the Mughals, carved out his own kingdom in 1724. From then until 1948, Marathwada remained under the rule of the Nizams of Hyderabad.
Although Hyderabad was one of the richest princely states in India, the people of Marathwada did not share in that prosperity. Instead, they endured poverty, illiteracy, feudal oppression, and religious discrimination.
The Nizam’s Rule and Its Oppression
The last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, was one of the wealthiest rulers in the world at the time of Indian independence. His state of Hyderabad included Telangana, parts of Karnataka, and Marathwada.
Unlike many other princely states that chose to merge with independent India, the Nizam refused. He wanted Hyderabad to remain an independent sovereign state or, according to some reports, even contemplated joining Pakistan.
This refusal created turmoil. The Nizam’s regime relied on a militia called the Razakars, led by Kasim Razvi. The Razakars were notorious for their brutality. They unleashed a reign of terror, especially against the Hindu population. Villages were looted, women were harassed, and religious conversions were attempted by force.
The people of Marathwada bore the brunt of this tyranny. Farmers were forced to pay heavy taxes, common people had no rights, and dissenters were jailed or killed. The socio-political conditions created a deep sense of resentment, which ultimately exploded into a people’s movement for freedom.
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