Colonization of Telangana

in the past 700 years

By: M. Narayan Reddy, Ex-M.P.,

1.
In order to appreciate the causes for Telangana Struggle we
must go back to the colonial history of Telangana after the end of
Kakathiya Rule in 1323 AD. So in this part, I propose to deal with
Colonization of Telangana for more than 600 years during which
people of Telangana lived in miserable conditions under
5
Dynasties of Muslim Rulers from 1324 to 1948 AD. In other words
our 'ancestors' lived like second grade subjects for 624 years in
their own land.
2.
This Alien Rule began in 1324 A.D. with the defeat of
Kakatiya King Prataprudhra-II,
by Mohd. Tuglaq of Delhi
Sultanate. As a consequence of this defeat it was the end of the
Golden Rule of Kakatiya Dynasty which ruled Telangana for
more than 300 years. These Rulers were born and brought up
in Northern Telangana and who rose from the ranks of common
people of Telangana. Kakathiya kings constructed Tanks, Wells and
Canals to irrigate the lands of farmers. They constructed many
temples in different areas of Telangana.
There was peace and
prosperity in Telangana under their rule.
After the fall of Kakathiya Kingdom in 1323 AD Telangana had
come under the rule Mohd. Tugulaq of Delhi Sultanate who ruled
Telangana until 1347 when his own Subedar Alaudin Hassan Gangu
Bahamani, revolted and established his own Independent
kingdom in Deccan under the name of Bahamani Kingdom.
Significantly it was the first Muslim kingdom established in south
India in those days which opened flood gates for subsequent
conquests by Muslim Rulers in entire South India.
The 5
Dynasties which ruled Telangana for 624 years from 1323 to 1948 AD
are shown in the Table-I below:
Showing 5 Dynasties of Muslim Rulers who ruled Telangana for
624 years
S.no
1
2
3
4
5

Dynasty
Delhi Sultanate
Bahamani
Dynasty
Qutubshahis
Moghuls
Asaf
Jhahi
Dynasty

Period

Years

1324 to 1347

23 years

1347 to 1512

165 years

1512 to 1687
1687 to 1723

175 years
36 years

1723 to 1948

225 years
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2. In the above context it may be stated that Bahamani kingdom

had five provinces and these provinces included Golkonda
Province and Telangana was a part of this province.
After 165
years of Bahamani Rule there was a revolt by provincial governors due
to which the Bahamani kingdom dissolved into five Deccan
Kingdoms in 1512. And in this division Telangana had become a
part of Golkonda Kingdom which was established by Sultan Quli
Qutb shah in 1512 AD. Sultan Quli was the first king of the
Golkonda Kingdom and thereafter it was ruled by Qutubshai kings
for 155 years until 1687. It was Mohd. Quli Qutub Shah, the 5th
king who built Hyderabad and Charminar in 1592 AD. So he
was rightly called as the founder of Hyderabad city. In 1687 AD,
Aurangzeb, the Mugul Emperor Annexed Telangana and made it a
Moghul Province which lasted up to 1723 AD.
3.
In 1724 Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jha-I annexed Telangana by
conquest and made it a part of Hyderabad state. Thereafter Asaf
Jha Dynasty ruled Telangana for 224 long years from 1724 to 1948. It
is thus seen that the total period of colonization of Telangana by
Muslim Rulers was 624 years which is a world record. Never,
never in the history any other country was colonized for so many years.
4(a).

(b)

These Alien Rulers imposed Persian language as an official

language in place of Telugu and they also promoted Persian
literature, art and culture in place of native culture
promoted by Kakathiya Rulers. Similar was the situation
with regard to dress code and food habits which were
adopted by elite of Telangana as status symbols.
These Rulers never provided education in native language
as they imposed Persian as the medium of instruction
in Madrasas (schools) in towns where only Muslim
population lived. They completely neglected the villages
where the bulk of Hindu population lived. Due to this
neglect and discrimination the local population remained
uneducated and confined to agriculture for their living.
Consequently they were
deprived of Government
employment and Military Service also.
In later years during Asaf Jahi period also Persian
Language continued as official language until 1885 when
Salar Jung-II, the then Prime Minister, introduced Urdu in
1885 in place of Persian. Since then Urdu became the
official language as well as medium of instruction in
Hyderabad State.
Consequently local people were
compelled to learn Urdu in place of their native language
Telugu. Thus Urdu continued as a medium of instruction
up to the end of Asaf Jahi Rule in 1948. In dress code
also Shervani and Pyjama became status symbols for the
non-Muslim elite in the towns.
Added to this in 1918
Osmania University was established with URDU as the
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medium of instruction at all levels up to post-graduation.

This Urdu Medium Education up to University Level had
proved a serious handicap to the graduates of Osmania
University in later years.
Nizam College
In 1887 AD Jagirdars of Hyderabad established Nizam
College with English Medium to provide English Medium
education to their children and other dependents for a bright
future. This college was
affiliated to Madras University up to 1948. This is another
evidence to show that English Medium education was
provided only to privileged classes.
(c)

There is another instance of COLONIZATION during the Rule of

Nizam-VI in Hyderabad state when efforts were made to
change the names of many districts and towns in
Telangana as described below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Karimnagar in place of
Nizamabad in place of
Mahaboobnagar in place of
Medak in place of
Mahaboobabad in place of
Bhongir in place of
Adilabad replaced
Huzurnagar in place of

ELAGANDAL
INDURU
PALAMURU
METUKU
MANUKOTA
BHUVANAGIRI
EDDULAPURAM
PONUCHERLA

In the changed conditions it is just and necessary to

restore the original
names as a measure of decolonization.
5.

Colonial & Communal Policies of the Nizam-VII

In this context I mention below few more instances of

intolerance and communal bias during the Rule of Nizam-VII.
(a)

Ban on Vande Mataram Anthem

This is another instance of intolerance and oppression
in 1939 when singing of Vandemataram by Hindu
students was prohibited in Osmania University hostels.
And when students wanted to continue Vande Mataram
singing many of them were expelled and rusticated
from the university. Among these students P.V. Narsimha
Rao (future Prime Minister) was a prominent figure. All these
students had to go to Nagpur to continue their studies. In
this context it is pertinent to note that i Education
Department imposed in all schools the recital of a
poetic prayer in Urdu in PRAISE of Nizam-VII everyday
in the morning before the commencement of classes.

(b)

Communal Population Policy

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During the rule of Nizam-VII, communal population policy

was followed to increase Muslim population on the one
hand and decrease Hindu population on the other. This is
evident from the fact that in 1931 census. Hindu population
was above 84% while Muslim population was only 10%. But
there was a dramatic change in 1941 when Hindu
population had come down to 81.4% and Muslim
population went up to 12.8%. This shows that decrease
in Hindu population and increase in Muslim population was
predominant in 1941 census. In this connection what is
more

amazing was that Harijans were registered separately

in 1941 census to exclude them from Hindu
community. As a consequence the Hindu population
was shown at 63.5% in 1941. These figures show that
systematic and consistent attempts were made by the
Nizam to decrease the Hindu population.
(c)

Import of North Indian Muslims

A deliberate and planned effort was made to encourage the
import of North Indian Muslims by offering special
salaries, facilities and concessions in the services,
commerce and trade, educational institutions, the
army and the police force.
Under this policy 60
thousand North Indian Muslims migrated to the state.
They came from U.P., Punjab and Rajasthan. Under this
policy Nizam-VII wanted to create a privileged class of
Muslims in the state. This policy was in violation of
MULKI RULES enacted in 1919 AD by the Nizam himself.

(d)

Influx of Muslim Refugees from North India

During the PARTITION Days in 1947 there was an influx of
Muslim Refugees in large numbers from North India.
And they were provided with all kinds of incentives for
their resettlement by the Government.
This was
another attempt to increase the Muslim population in those
days. Obviously this communal policy deprived Hindu
community from getting their due share in
Government jobs, educational institutions and other
sectors like trade and industries.

(e)
Service

Meager representation to Hindus in Government

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As 1931 Census, the following figures show the number OF

Hindus and Muslims in Army and Police and other
services:
Army & Police
Other Services
Total

Muslims
54149
53588
107737

Hindus
6495
16873
23368

It is a glaring disparity which shows that Muslims received

favoured treatment in Government services.
In this
context it may be mentioned that the number of Muslims in
the above services further increased between 1931 to
1947. This kind of discrimination was seen in other sectors
also.

(f)

In the field of education the disparity and discrimination

between
Hindu and Muslim was too glaring as shown below:
In 1911 to 1931 the number of literates per 1000 among
Hindus and Muslims is shown below:
Year
1911
1921
1931

(g)

No. of literates per

1000 among
Hindus
23.0
26.0
33.3

No. of literates per

1000 among
Muslims
59.0
89.0
103.5

Ban on Congress Party

There was a glaring discrimination with regard to
functioning of political parties.
In this connection the
Government allowed a Muslim organization by name
Ithehadul Musalmin which was founded in 1927 by
Bahadur Yarjung. This organization was mainly meant for
promoting the political rights of Muslim population and it was
given all support by the Government.
But the same
Government put a BAN on Congress Party when it was
organized and setup in 1937. The reason for BAN was shown
that it was a communal organization. In this context I may
mention that in those days in British India Congress Party
was the main political party which launched Freedom
Struggle for achieving Independence from the British Rule.
Such a party was branded as COMMUNAL in Hyderabad
while Ithehadul Musalmin a communal party was
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allowed by the Nizams Government. This is another proof

to show the communal policies of the Government
favouring Muslims in all fields.
(h)

Detention of political leaders

After 25th August, 1947, a large number of political leaders
and some other prominent persons like Dasarathi and Kaloji
Narayan Rao famous Telugu POETS were also kept under
detention in different jails of Hyderabad state to prevent
agitations for Independence in Hyderabad state. These
political prisoners remained in various jails for 13 months
even after India attained Independence in August, 1947.
They were released only in September, 1948 after Police
Action under Military Rule. This shows that oppressive
measures were taken by the Government under the rule of
Nizam-VII to curb CIVIL LIBERTIES in Hyderabad.

6.

Misrule in Hyderabad

In later years Razakars, the armed wing of Ithehad party

committed many atrocities on Hindu population due to which
thousands of people migrated to neighbouring states. After
taking note of the MISRULE the Government of India issued a White
Paper on Hyderabad in July, 1948 which referred to the misrule
in the following terms:
The Government of India cannot afford to be
helpless spectators of orgies of misrule in
Hyderabad. If the law and order situation there,
which already shows signs of collapse, further
deteriorates and thereby imperils peace and
good order in India, the Government of India
would unquestionably be involved.
In the context of misrule and atrocities committed by
Razakars Sri. G. Ramachari, Minister in Hyderabad Government
resigned in February, 1948. In his letter of resignation he described
the law and order situation in the following words:
Forces of violence and goondaism were let
loose. Arson, loot and murder formed the normal
events of the day. Armed men rode round the
country spilling death wherever they went.
Village after village was burnt down; several
villages were abandoned out of sheer fright.
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Even in the jail the hand of the goonda was at

work.
The above observations clearly show the atrocities and
misrule which led to the Police Action in September, 1948 which
ended the misrule.
7.

Police Action in 1948

India attained Independence in August, 1947 when the British

Rulers left British India. At that time there were two parts of India
known as
(i)
(ii)

British India; and

Indian states.

(a)
The number of Indian states was 565 and among these
states Hyderabad was the largest state. It is strange but
TRUE that the Rule of Nizam-VII continued in Hyderabad even
after 15th August, 1947 as it was not a part of British
India.
In this situation the Nizam declared that
Hyderabad will continue as an Independent State
under his Rule. In the circumstances the Government of
India decided to launch Police Action in September, 1948
to bring Hyderabad into Indian Union. After FIVE days of
Police Action, the Armed Forces of Hyderabad surrendered
to Indian Army on 17th September, 1948 and Hyderabad
became a part of Indian Union on

(b)
18th September, 1948. And Maj. General J.N. Choudary
was appointed as the Military Governor to administer
Hyderabad State. And Nizam-VII was continued as the
Head of Hyderabad State by the Central Government
and in this high office he continued up to
31 st
October, 1956 till the formation of Andhra Pradesh on
1-11-1956.
(c)In the above circumstances Andhra Officers in Maras
Government were brought to Hyderabad during and also
after Police Action to assist the Government. And these
officers continued in Hyderabad Government Service up to
1952. Added to this a large number of English knowing
Andhras came to Hyderabad after 1948 seeking
Government jobs. As a result several thousands of nonMulki Andhras secured jobs on Bogus Mulki Certificates
depriving Telangana people from getting jobs in their own
state.
This extraordinary situation led to protest
movement in 1952 which was known as Non-Mulki
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Agitation and the slogans used in this agitation were

non-Mulkies go back and idli sambar go back. This
Agitation was started in July, 1952 by the school
students in Warangal which later spread to other areas
including Hyderabad. During this Agitation there was
Police Firing on 3rd and 4th September, 1952 in
Hyderabad in which 7 persons died. This was the FIRST
Telangana Agitation launched by the students against
Andhras.
8.

Internal Colonization

(a)

The Military Rule ended in December, 1949 and M.K. Vellodi,

I.C.S., was appointed as the Chief Minister by the NizamVII who continued as the Head of the state. It is thus seen
that the Military Rule as well as the Rule of Chief
Minister, M.K. Vellodi represented the Rule of Central
Government over Hyderabad State. The rule of Chief
Minister M.K. Vellodi continued until general elections in
1952. In other words the Central Government Rule continued
for more than 4 years which can be termed as Internal
Colonization as the Congress Government at the
centre totally ignored the wishes of the people of
Hyderabad.

(b)

In 1952 popular Government was formed in Hyderabad with

Burgula Ramakrishna Rao as the Chief Minister. His ministry
also was appointed by Nizam-VII, who was the Raj
Pramukh. In this connection it is important to note that
Central Government appointed M.K. Vellodi, the former Chief
Minister, as the Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister, Sri. B.
Ramakrishna Rao. This arrangement continued up to the
end of October, 1956. In other words the new Advisor
had a predominant role in the functioning of the
Ramakrishna Rao ministry. So the Internal Colonization
by the

Congress Government in Delhi continued for 8 years from

September, 1948 to October, 1956. And this was a great
misfortune of people of Hyderabad.
(c)

In the above context I may mention that Nizam-VII continued

as the Head of the state until 26th January, 1950 when the
constitution of India came into force.
Under the
constitution, Hyderabad state became a B-State with a Raj
Pramukh as the Head of the state. In the changed
circumstances the Nizam-VII was again appointed by the
Central Government as Raj Pramukh of the state. As Raj
Pramukh he performed the same functions like a Governor
of any AState under the constitution. In this position he
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continued until 31st October, 1956 when Hyderabad was

dissolved into 3 parts and Telangana was merged with
Andhra state and the new state was
named
Andhra
st
Pradesh which came into being on 1 November, 1956. It is
strange but TRUE that once again the Nizam-VII was
offered the high office of Governor of Andhra Pradesh
by the Central Government but the Nizam had politely
declined the offer. It is indeed a mystery that a person of
his autocratic background had been imposed by the
Congress Government at the centre as the Head of the
Hyderabad State for 8 long years.
This is another
form of Internal Colonization.
9.

Andhra Province in 1953

(a)

It is well known that Andhra people were in Madras

Province during British Rule for 200 years.
After
Independence in 1947, Tamils ruled the province. In this
situation Andhras felt unhappy as TAMILS were in majority
and they dominated in all fields. In total population Tamils
were 64% and Andhras were 36%. For this reason Andhras
demanded Andhra Province by bifurcation of Madras
Province. Accepting their demand the Central Government
formed Andhra Province in 1953 with KURNOOL town as the
capital. The reasons for demanding for a separate state were
vividly described by Sri. A. Kaleshwar Rao, an eminent
Andhra leader and the First Speaker of Andhra Pradesh
in his autobiography, p-17, in the following lines:
Tamils have greater influence, in the
Madras Legislature, in the Government
and in the High Court. In the Government
of Madras run by the TAMILS, the
individuality and self-respect of Andhras
has decreased. That is a Tamilian State
and not of Andhras. Under the Madras
Government, the Tamils are enjoying all
the
benefits
whereas
Andhras
are
backward in respect of employment,
education and economic development.
Industries and power supply in ANDHRA
area.

(b)

But Andhras had not learnt any lessons from the

injustices done to them by Tamils as they had done
much worse to Telangana people after formation of
Andhra Pradesh in 1956.
(d)
After coming to Kurnool in October, 1953, Andhras felt
much disappointed as Kurnool was not a suitable town
for a capital where all the offices were located in large
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tents for want of buildings. Likewise the new state had

meager finances with a deficit in budget. The annual
budget showed receipts at Rs.17 crores with a deficit of Rs.5
crores. As a result there was no scope for the construction
of a new capital or for taking up other development
activities. Realizing their plight in the new state they
started the SLOGAN of VISHALANDHRA with Hyderabad as
the capital. For this purpose they started agitation from
1955 demanding Vishalandhra, but it was vehemently
opposed by Telangana leaders. But with the support of
Congress leaders in Delhi they succeeded in splitting
Hyderabad State in 1956 into 3 parts and getting Telangana
merged into Andhra Province to form Andhra Pradesh. This
could not have happened without the unjust support
of Congress leaders in Delhi.
(d)

In this context it is important to note that Telangana was a

majority region in Hyderabad State became a minority
region overnight in the new state of Andhra Pradesh.
The population ratio of both regions as on 1-11-1956 was as
under:
1.
2.

Andhras
Telangana -

66%
34%

With their large majority the Andhras assumed the same

dominant role as TAMILS had done in Madras Province. And later
years proved that Andhras using their brute majority had done
much more injustices to Telangana people than what was done to
them by Tamils in Madras Province before 1953.
10.

Formation of Andhra Pradesh

Formation of Andhra Pradesh on 1st November, 1956 is the
final phase of Internal Colonization of Telangana. In this case
Andhra State with a majority population (64%) was merged with
Telangana which had a minority population (36%).
The
consequence of a merger of two unequal states with diverse
historical background is too obvious to need any elaboration here.
Moreover the injustices done by Andhra Rulers to Telangana
people during last 60 years were far more serious than what
Tamils had done to Andhras. But the Congress leaders in
Delhi had not come to the rescue of the exploited people of
Telangana. At the state level the Andhra Congress Rulers
dominated in all fields. Similar was the situation when TDP
came into power and ruled the state for more than 15 years.
So the subjugation of Telangana was unabated until the
bifurcation of the state in June, 2014.
Conclusion:
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After a long struggle Telangana state was formed on 2nd

June, 2014. So 2nd June is the most memorable day in the
history of Telangana people.
(i)

Telangana State Government

(a)

After the elections in 2014, the T.R.S., a regional party

emerged victorious and formed the Government with
Sri. K.C.R. as the Chief Minister. The number of seats
won by TRS is 3 times larger than the seats of
Congress.
So it is a surprise as to how the congress
party got so few seats in 2014.

(b)

In the above context I may refer to the episode of 9th

December, 2009 when the Congress High Command
decided for the bifurcation of the state.
On 10th
December the Home Minister announced in the
Parliament that Government decided to form
Telangana State. But after seeing the adverse reaction
in Andhra region the Central Government revoked its
decision on 23rd December which gave rise to counter
agitations in Telangana. By revoking its decision the
Congress party and the Central Government lost their
credibility with the people of Telangana. This is one of
the main reasons for the poor performance of
Congress party in 2014 elections in Telangana.

(c)

The situation in A.P. was no different for Congress. In 2014

elections, Congress Party secured ZERO seats despite all its
undue support to Andhra leaders in the past 60 years.
So it is a pitiable situation for the party which is similar
to Tamilnadu Congress Party losing to DMK in 1967
elections and thereafter it never came back to power in
Tamilnadu until now.

(ii)
the

In A.P., TDP alliance with BJP in 2014 helped TDP in winning

elections and forming the Government.
But the performance of TDP in Telangana was very poor as it
was identified as Andhra Party opposed to Telangana
State. In this connection it may be recalled that in 2000 AD,
NDA Government granted 3 new Hindi States by
bifurcating Bihar, U.P., and Madhya Pradesh. At that time the
NDA proposed to give T-state also, if it is acceptable to
Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of A.P., But Mr. Naidu,
the TDP President strongly opposed the NDA proposal to
grant T-State in 2000 AD. As a result the NDA dropped
the proposal. In these circumstances Telangana people lost
a great opportunity to achieve T-State entirely due to
Naidus opposition. After this episode the TDP is identified as
opposed to Telangana state. So this is the main reason
for its poor performance in recent elections.
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(iii)

In the present scenario KCR has earned the confidence of

people and emerged as a charismatic leader of the party.
He established his credibility with people by consistent
and uncompromising attitude on T-State besides he
never attempted to merge T.R.S. with Congress as TPS
had done in 1971 and lost all chances of achieving TState.

(iv)

In the above circumstances some of the opposition parties

must come out of the orbit of party High Commands
for promoting local leadership in each party. They must
discard vote bank politics and culture of nominated
party committees and selection of candidates in
elections by their Party High Command.
It is also
hoped that leaders of Telangana parties will introduce inner
party democracy at all levels for promoting capable
leaders.

Date: 20-11-2015.
Reddy)

(M. Narayan

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