KM Munshi's "The End of an Era" is a very important document over the last days of Hyderabad - Indian view from inside Hyderabad. It's a tightly packed one and you can't ignore even a single line - tells much of the capability of the author. The sections dealing with the end -
What is Hyderabad's estimation?
Indian Army is low on equipment and is incompetent without the British Officers.
Indian Army is low on equipment and is incompetent without the British Officers.
Communal riots all over India - it's a Muslim affair.
Pakistan will not tolerate any insult to Pakistan and will trash India.
And the most important one - Nehru's unhappiness over India invading Hyderabad.
So, Patel was ready for the war as early as Sep 12 but Nehru didn't know of that.
Hyderabad's estimation is war will start by Sep 15.
Laik Ali asked Munshi to leave Hyderabad.
So, as Jinnah exhorted Hyderabad, it's a fight to death, not victory.
The war starts and documents destroyed in anticipation of arrest.
The usual rabble rousers of zero real value.
Formal orders of arrest.
Terms with outer world cut. Menon's message had very serious implications for the course of war and Munshi's political career.
So, everyone wants to thrash those Indians and score good marks before their masters..
This is interesting. El Edroos decided not to fight? Was it on his free will or on Nizam's orders?
Hyderabad's offer - another Pakistan.
And the propaganda game starts.
Poor Munshi. He is the only punching bag Hyderabad govt has got.
First hint that Nizam is in no mood to fight.
Chaos starts - is Hyderabad nearing Goa or is India nearing Aurangabad?
So, on day one itself, Hyderabad decided to call quits?
El Edroos tells formally, he is a spent force. Laik Ali, the scape goat.
Now, think what would be the situation has Munshi not been there.
Laik Ali's formal announcement of resignation
Nizam wanted Mirza Ismail as Laik Ali's replacement but Munshi told no.
Laik Ali's bradcast over his resignation
"The vultures have fled"
Nizam 'summons' Munshi
Munshi asks for the Nizam to establish order.
Nizam summons El Edroos and passes orders. What none of the three gentlemen know is, Qasim Razvi decided to burn Hyderabad after the Jumma Prayers and Deen Yar Jung was having a hard time trying to dissuade him.
And on the civil government. Munshi was not comfortable with a Muslim only government. The suave politician the Nizam is, how can he even miss that?
This is the googly none expected.
The famous story of Nizam not knowing what to do in a radio broadcast.
What can you expect out of a Dhoti-clad Gandhian? But, he proved more better than anyone else.
Nizam's formal surrender broadcast. I really want to know if an audio recording exists anywhere.
Munshi's follow up.
Nehru's message ordering Munshi not to do what he did. And Munshi's reply. I have a nagging feeling Munshi actually saw the message and deliberately ignored that.
Munshi's justification of his acts.
The only loser in the whole Hyderabad episode.
In fact, Hyderabad was literally clueless as to what to do from day one.
And the stories of unbelievable captures. Doesn't this remind one of Pakistani press during 1971 War? In fact, this whole episode is what which will actually happen if Islamabad is taken.
Yes. Mad ones exist everywhere and at all times.
It is interesting to note, Pakistan did almost the same thing when India abrogated 370 and Imran Khan had to announce in public, we can't invade.
Was Nehru happy at what Munshi did? Looks like he isn't.
It will be really interesting to know what Laik Ali wrote over this. Only Munshi, Laik Ali and El Edroos are the ones of note who wrote their story sitting in Hyderabad. And of them, only Munshi and Laik Ali are civilians.
