Operation Polo

16th December 1947

In the aftermath of the migration that had reshaped the very borders of the subcontinent, the dust of partition had only just begun to settle.

India had achieved independence, but the princely states—regions ruled by kings, nawabs, and maharajas—were still hanging in the balance. They had yet to decide whether to join India or Pakistan, or, in some cases, to attempt a dangerous course toward independence. Among these was the state of Kashmir, a pivotal region, perched at the crossroads of two emerging nations. It was here that Surya knew the stakes were highest.

In a dimly lit room in Delhi, the top leaders of India had gathered to discuss their next steps. Mahatma Gandhi, his figure as week as ever, sat quietly in a corner, his face etched with years of struggle and sacrifice. Jawaharlal Nehru, still reeling from the emotional toll of partition, sat beside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose pragmatic leadership had been key to keeping India together thus far.

Surya stood by the window, looking out over the city, lost in thought. The migration had taken its toll on everyone, but the political future unknown.

He turned back toward the group, knowing that the time for negotiations was over.

Gandhi spoke first, his voice soft but firm. "We must approach the princely states with patience and understanding. Violence has already scarred out country. We cannot let it continue."

Surya, his jaw clenched, knew what was coming. "Bapu, (referred to Gandhi) " he said, his voice low, "I respect your wisdom. But we've seen what patience has brought us. We've seen the violence that erupted during the partition. The time for calm negotiations is past. We must act decisively."

Gandhi shook his head. "Violence is never the answer, Surya. If we are to create a nation built on peace and unity, we cannot start by forcing others into submission. We must talk with them, calmly, as brothers."

Surya felt his anger rise. "Calmly? The ruler of Kashmir is toying with the future of his people. The Portuguese still hold Goa, and Nawab after Nawab is deciding their fate based on their own selfish interests. Do you think they care about calm talks?"

Patel, interjected. "Surya's not wrong, Bapu. We've reached out to the rulers. Some are willing to join India, but others—like the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharaja of Kashmir—are playing a dangerous game. If we wait too long, we risk losing vital parts of this country. Kashmir is critical, strategically and politically. If it aligns with Pakistan, India could be weakened before we've even had a chance to establish ourselves."

Gandhi looked pained, but he remained resolute. "But if we force them, Patel, we become no better than the British who ruled over us."

Surya couldn't hold back any longer. "With all due respect, Gandhiji, the British didn't negotiate with us out of kindness. They left because we forced them to. We fought for our independence. Now we must fight to keep this nation together. If we let Kashmir slip away, if we lose Goa, or let the nawabs decide their own fates, we'll be left with a fractured India."

There was silence in the room as the leaders processed Surya's words. Nehru, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Surya, I understand your frustration. But Gandhi is right about one thing: we can't resort to violence. India must be united through diplomacy, not through force."

Surya stepped forward. "I'm not advocating for senseless violence. But we can't let idealism blind us to reality. The king of Kashmir, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and the Portuguese in Goa—they aren't going to give up their power willingly. They'll stall, they'll make promises, but at the end of the day, they'll do what's best for them, not for their people. And if we don't act, Pakistan will."

Patel nodded, clearly in agreement with Surya's assessment. "We've sent feelers to the rulers, but we need a plan in place if they don't cooperate. Hyderabad has a large Muslim population, but the Nizam is wealthy, and he's already started negotiations with Pakistan. We can't allow Hyderabad to become another Pakistan in the middle of our country."

Gandhi closed his eyes, breathing deeply. "We must give them a choice, Patel. India can be a nation of unity and tolerance, but only if we lead by example."

Surya's voice dropped, filled with the weight of the future. "Bapu, the world doesn't operate on goodwill alone. We've given them a choice. But if they choose wrongly, we must be ready to act. If Kashmir falls to Pakistan, it won't be the end of our problems. It'll be the beginning of new conflicts, and this time, it won't just be internal strife. It'll be a war. Are we prepared for that?"

Patel stood up, his large figure casting a shadow over the table. "We must ensure that India remains whole. The Nizam has until the end of the month to decide. If he resists, we'll send in the army. As for Kashmir, we'll push for a resolution. But if they try to join Pakistan, we'll intervene."

Nehru's face tightened. "I don't want to see India's first days as a free nation marred by war."

Surya turned to him, his eyes blazing. "Neither do I. But sometimes, peace is only achieved when people know you're willing to fight for it."

Gandhi stood up slowly, his frail form barely able to conceal the fire within him. "I can't condone this path, Surya. But if you must proceed, do it with the knowledge that violence will only bring more suffering."

Surya met his gaze, his voice softening. "I know, Bapu. But sometimes, to protect the peace, we must be willing to fight for it."

As the meeting concluded the decisions The fate of Kashmir, Hyderabad, and the other princely states would determine the future of India.

The ten days passed swiftly, and the nation held its breath. The princely states had been given time to consider their futures—whether to join the newly independent India or take a more dangerous path. As the deadline approached, the mood in Delhi grew tense. For Surya, who had been monitoring the situation closely, the news that came on the morning of the deadline was not surprising, but it was deeply frustrating.

Word had arrived from Hyderabad. The Nizam had refused to merge with India. Instead, he declared his intent to remain independent, rejecting any attempts to join either India or Pakistan. The Maharaja of Kashmir, too, had stalled, his decision cloaked in ambiguity, while rumors circulated that he was being courted by Pakistan. These refusals were a direct challenge to India's sovereignty.

Surya stood in the war room, his expression was glooy, surrounded by military officers and political leaders. He had been prepared for this, and now the time for decisive action had come.

Patel entered the room, his face betraying no surprise. "The Nizam's defiance was expected," he said as he took his seat. "He's been emboldened by his wealth and his connections to Pakistan. We've already received intelligence that weapons are being stockpiled in Hyderabad."

Surya nodded. "And what of Kashmir?"

"Still playing both sides," Patel said. "But we can't afford to let this drag on much longer."

Surya paced the room, his mind already turning to the next steps. "We gave them their chance. Now we act. Hyderabad is a ticking bomb in the heart of India. If we don't move soon, it could become a stronghold for Pakistan's interests."

Nehru, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "I want to avoid a military confrontation if possible, Surya. Our country is barely holding itself together after partition. Another war could tear us apart."

Surya turned to him, his voice calm but resolute. "I understand your concerns, but the Nizam has left us no choice. His refusal to join India isn't just a political stance—it's a threat to our national security. If we allow him to remain independent, Hyderabad could become a base for anti-India forces. And Kashmir's indecision will only strengthen Pakistan's ambitions."

Patel agreed. "We need to act quickly. The Nizam is relying on his wealth and private army, but he underestimates the resolve of the Indian people."

Surya's eyes darkened as he looked toward the map of India spread across the table. "Operation Polo," he said firmly, referring to the plan for a military action to integrate Hyderabad into India. "It's time we launch it. We'll send the Indian Army in to secure Hyderabad. As for Kashmir, we need to increase our diplomatic pressure, but we should be ready for a military intervention if necessary."

Nehru hesitated, but Patel placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "This isn't just about Hyderabad or Kashmir, Jawaharlal. This is about the future of India. We can't let these princely states splinter us now, not after all we've fought for."

Nehru sighed but gave a reluctant nod. "Proceed, but be careful. I don't want this to spiral out of control."

Surya wasted no time. Within hours, orders were dispatched to the army, and Operation Polo was set in motion. Indian troops mobilized, advancing toward Hyderabad with precision and discipline. The Nizam's private army, though well-funded, was no match for the professional might of the Indian military.

Within days, Hyderabad was surrounded. The Nizam, realizing his mistake, attempted to negotiate at the last minute, but it was too late. Indian forces swiftly took control of key installations, and the Nizam's reign came to an end. And that was the mass execution of those people. And the Hyderabad was officially merged into India, and the threat of a splintered nation was averted.

But even as Surya received reports of Hyderabad's successful integration, another message arrived from the north—this one more unexpected.

The king of Nepal, after witnessing the chaos and civil strife in his own country, had reached out to India. Nepal had been teetering on the edge of civil war for months, with various factions vying for control. The king, realizing that he could not maintain stability on his own, had made a surprising decision.

He wanted to merge Nepal with India.

Surya was taken aback by the news, but he quickly saw the opportunity. Nepal's strategic position in the Himalayas made it a valuable ally, and its merger with India would strengthen the country's northern borders against any potential threats from China.

Surya immediately convened a meeting with Nehru and Patel.

"The king of Nepal has agreed to merge with India," he announced, barely able to contain his surprise.

Patel raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect that," he said, clearly impressed. "But it's a good development. Nepal has been unstable for some time now. Merging with India could bring them the stability they need."

Nehru, though wary, saw the potential. "It would also solidify our northern borders," he said thoughtfully. "But we'll need to handle this carefully. Nepal has a strong sense of identity and culture. We can't afford to alienate them in the process."

Surya nodded. "We'll offer them autonomy, much like we did with the other states. But this is an opportunity we can't pass up. A unified India, stretching from the south to the Himalayas—it would be a powerful statement to the world."

Patel, ever the pragmatist, added, "It would also send a message to any other princely states or territories thinking of defying us. India is united, and we won't tolerate any more attempts at independence."

As the plans for Nepal's merger were set in motion, Surya reflected on how quickly the landscape of India was changing.

"Thanks for reading...!"