“Liberation means liberating from foreign rulers. The Nizam was not a foreigner and the question of liberation does not arise. It is equally incorrect to say that the monarchy of Nizam-VII came to an end and ushered in democracy,” is what the family members of the last ruler of princely State of Hyderabad say about September 17.
At 5 p.m. on September 17, 1948 Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur Nizam-VII visited Radio Deccan and addressed the people stating that he had ordered the surrender of Hyderabad Army, allowed Indian Army to enter Hyderabad city. As curfew was imposed in Hyderabad city on that day, there was no participation of the common man either in favour or against the decision.
“Transition of power was done without any bloodshed by the Nizam’s Army. At the time of surrender, my grandfather was sitting on the prayer mat and praying for the betterment of his subjects,” says Najaf Ali Khan, one of the grandsons of the last Nizam.
