The day is celebrated in commemoration of the anniversary of Operation Polo, which led to the annexation of Hyderabad into the Union of India.
The Marathwada region of the present-day Maharashtra was a part of the then princely state of Hyderabad, which was under the Nizam’s rule.
Hyderabad’s Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, wished to continue his rule as either a self-governing monarchy or a protectorate of the British Empire and did not intend to join either India or Pakistan.
The British government, on the other hand, refused to grant Hyderabad any kind of sovereignty.
Hyderabad’s population was predominantly Hindu and wished to reunite with India.
The Nizam, a Muslim, was hesitant to join the Union of India.
To maintain power, he even went to permit the formation of a private militia known as the Razakars.
In the end, the talks between India and Hyderabad failed.
India launched Operation Polo, a military operation against Hyderabad.
On September 17, 1948, Nizam’s army was forced to submit.
And the state of Hyderabad became a part of the Union of India.