Question

Describe the activities undertaken by the Congress in Hyderabad.

Answer 1

Instructions:

1. The answer should have at least 4-6 points.
2. We shall begin with the people of Hyderabad and the problems being faced by them.
3. Next, we will explain the Nizam’s reaction to the demands put forward by the people.
4. Then, we must write about the formation of Hyderabad Congress and the motivation behind it.
5. And, we will end the answer with the demands put forward by the Hyderabad Congress.

Solution:
The Indian National Congress’ activities were concentrated in British India and not in the princely states. The population of the princely states were subjected to great hardships, and the situation in Hyderabad state was no different. Thus, the people wanted to join the national movement so that they can live under a representative government that would implement reforms and provide them with democratic rights.

The Nizam sharply reacted to the nationalist sentiment in Hyderabad, and made it illegal to sing the song ‘Vandemataram’. Students from schools and colleges defied the order and participated in an agitation to sing Vandemataram. The Nizam closed down the colleges due to these agitations and many students had to relocate to complete their studies.

The nationalists in Hyderabad, who supported Congress, witnessed the enthusiasm of the youth to take part in the freedom movement and set up the Hyderabad State Congress in 1938. Its leadership is comprised of Swami Ramananda Theertha and several young leaders such as B. Ramakrishna Rao, M. Chenna Reddy and P. V. Narsimha Rao.

The Hyderabad Congress demanded fundamental rights for the people and cancellation of circulars limiting religious, media, and personal freedoms. They also demanded an elected panel of lawmakers. They took part in the Quit India Movement of 1942
and its leaders had to face bans and imprisonment. At the peak of the Indian national movement in 1946, they pushed for the merger of Hyderabad into India to end the rule of the Nizam.