The Original Surgical Strike, Operation Polo ends on September 17th, 1948. The last Nizam and his armies from hell, the Razakars surrender to the Indian troops after 3 days of hostilities. Hyderabad is liberated and enters the Indian Union.
We remain indebted to Sardar Patel.
An often forgotten role in ensuring the fire for indepedence remained in the people of Hyderabad is of the Hindu Maha Sabha and the Arya Samaj. They led the people's revolt envisaging Hyderabad should join the newly formed India.
The efforts of the Andhra Maha Sabha, an organisation of the Telugu speaking folk of the Hyderabad state also need to be remembered. They eventually joined hands with the Communists against the Razakars.
And how can one forget the role of the Telangana Peasant Rebellion, which was a people's movement against the jagirdari system and bonded labour, eventually morphing into a struggle against the Razakars and the Nizam himself.
Swami Ramananda Teertha, an educator and freedom fighter who led the freedom struggle against the Nizam as the principal leader of the Hyderabad State Congress. He galvanised the population in favour of India and independence.
K M Munshi was the diplomatic envoy of India to Hyderabad. At 4 pm on 17th September, the Nizam met him to discuss the terms of his accession to India. Following his directions, the Nizam announced his decision over Radio.
Munshi personally oversaw the transfer of power to India
General Jayant Nath Chaudhari (on the right) led the First Armoured Division of the Indian forces which tore through the Nizam's defences from Solapur accepted the official surrender on 18th September from General El Edroos. He later became Army Chief.
KM Munshi along with Swami Ramananda Teertha are two people who should be credited with the Integration of Hyderabad into India, along with the iron resolve of Sardar Patel.
Seen here with the Indian Army after the Nizam surrendered.
As i keep saying, India is a Union of States, and the Union is Indivisible, and indestructible. #JaiHind
Ever heard of a town where Lord Rama is worshipped as the king and the local police offer a daily guard of honour to him?
No??
Then we need to see the town of Orchha in Madhya Pradesh. A 🧵 on the temple town.
Orchha is a town located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, around 15 kilometres from Jhansi, making it the perfect weekend trip for folks from Delhi.
Orchha is the heart of the area known to us Bundelkhand and served as the capital of the Bundela kings.
The town of Orchha is famous for its beautiful fort and scenic Chattris along the Betwa river. But the story of our present thread is the Raja Ram Chandra Temple located in the heart of the town.
Whenever one thinks of Andhra/Telangana, the first temples that come to your mind would be Tirupati, Srisailam, Simhachalam or Bhadrachalam. But we have several ancient shrines which are little known outside the state. A 🧵on such places, each with an enthralling story behind.
1. Ahobilam NarasimhaSwamy Temple, Kurnool. Legend has it that this is the location where Lord Narasimha kills Hiranyakashapa to save Prahlada. The deity is wedded to Chenchu Lakshmi, an avatar of Mahalakshmi supposed to be born in the local Chenchu tribe. Confluence of cultures.
2. Chengalamma Parameswari Temple in Sullurpet. The kshetrapalika, local protector of Sriharikota. The fierce goddess to whom all the ISRO Chairmen pray before India's satellite launches. A model of the satellite is invariably placed at her feet before each mission.
Ever heard of a story of when heavy Monsoon rains unearthed the remains of a temple destroyed by Aurangzeb? No?
Come on. I shall tell you the story of Bijamandal of Vidisha. A thread 🧵
Bijamandal (or Vijaya Mandir) was a temple built by the Parmara dynasty in the 9th/10th century. The temple was supposed to be amongst the grandest temples of its time, rivalling the style and size of the Konark temple.
Inscriptions on the southern walls of the temples have indicated that the temple was built during the reign of the Parmara king Naravarman Parmara, who ruled over a turbulent period of Malwa in the middle ages.
He is well known for his Lakshmi embossed coinage
The Heliodorus Pillar of Vidisha. History students must have studied about the Besnagar inscription of the Sunga period. And here we have it, among the first instances of a Vishnu Dhwaja anywhere in India. #ThisHeartWasMeantToWander
Situated on the confluence of the Bes and the Betwa rivers just outside the historical town of Vidisha, this pillar was erected in 113 BCE by Heliodorus, the Greek ambassador from the IndoGreek king Antialcidas to the Sunga Emperor, Bhagabhadra.
The Ambassador Heliodorus calls himself Vishnu Bhagawata on the Inscription, a clear indication that he had embraced Vaishnavism and the Bhagwata Cult. Perhaps among the earliest converts to Hinduism.
The Varaha cave (Cave 5) of the Udayagiri Caves near Vidisha. Here Varaha saves Bhudevi from the evil demon Hiranyaksha. This 5th century Gupta period relief has a colossal Varaha rising to the heavens. You can spend hours just admiring this masterpiece
This was the main reason i made this last minute impromptu trip to Vidisha. Just to see this Colossus of Lord Vishnu as Varahavatar. And i am blessed to have been able to finally witness it
Seshasayee. Lord Vishnu reclines atop the endless curves of Seshanaga. Cave 13 of the Udayagiri caves
So I'm here this weekend. Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh. A UNESCO World Heritage site and glowing example of syncretic cultural growth. Built by Emperor Ashoka, and embellished by the Sungas, Satavahanas, Guptas and Parmaras 🤩🤩
The most magnificent part of the Sanchi Stupa are the Ornamental Toranas or the Gateways. Four of them facing the four Cardinal directions 🤩 #Sanchi#ThisHeartWasMeantToWander
Lucky to have a 200 Rupees note on me. Could get this pic 🤩😄😄