Razakars (Hyderabad)

The Razakars were a private militia organized by Qasim Razvi in the Indian princely state of Hyderabad in the late 1940s. They supported the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, in his desire to maintain Hyderabad as an independent state or to accede to Pakistan, rather than join the newly independent Union of India. The name "Razakar" translates roughly to "volunteers" or "helpers" in Urdu.

The Razakars grew in strength and influence, becoming a significant force within Hyderabad. They aimed to suppress pro-India movements and intimidate the local population, particularly Hindus, through violence, coercion, and forced conversions. They operated with increasing autonomy, effectively becoming a parallel power structure within the state.

The actions of the Razakars contributed significantly to the deteriorating law and order situation in Hyderabad, prompting intervention by the Indian government. The Indian Army launched Operation Polo in September 1948, resulting in the annexation of Hyderabad into India. Following the military operation, the Razakars were disbanded, and their leaders were arrested. The violence perpetrated by the Razakars remains a contentious and sensitive topic in the history of Hyderabad and India. Their actions have been widely condemned for their brutality and communal nature.