Explain the following statement with reasons: Ultimately the princely state of Hyderabad was acceded to India.

Answer: Because the people of Hyderabad wanted to join India, and the Nizam's refusal and the Razakars' atrocities forced India to take police action.

• The Nizam Mir Usman Ali wanted to keep Hyderabad independent, though most of his people wished to join India. He signed only a Standstill Agreement.
• The Hyderabad State Congress led by Swami Ramanand Tirth started a movement for joining India; the Nizam's private army, the Razakars under Qasim Rizvi, attacked and terrorised the people.
• As law and order collapsed, the Indian Government started ‘Operation Polo’ (police action) on 13 September 1948. Within a few days the Nizam surrendered (17 September 1948) and Hyderabad acceded to India.