Hyderabad

This is a collection of 13 essays by a group of experts on the societyand politics of Deccani Muslims after Indian independence in 1947. Thereadings brought nostalgic memories of men and events I knew or experienced."The Five Day War," by Mir Laiq Ali, is a sad commentary on the plightof Hyderabad forces resisting the Indian offensive that began September 13.1948.The Hyderabad case in the U. N. Security Council is described by ClydeEagleton, who records the sympathetic response Nizam's representativesreceived from most members of the U.N. Council. If Sardar Patel had notordered the military occupation of Hyderabad, it is possible that a settlementcould have been reached bet ween Nizam and Nehru. Prof. Zubaida Yazdanirecounts H)derabad's transformation from Niz.arn's Dominion into a state withinIndia and its breakup on linguitic principle in 1956. Just as innocent Hi ndussuffered at the hands of Rizakars during 1947-48 , so did innocent Muslimsat the hands of the Indian army after Hyderabad troops surrendered onSeptember 18, 1948.Prof. Wilfred C. Smith, a keen observer of the Indian religious scenefor the last five decades, has provided a succinct background upon whichother scholars have built detailed accounts. Dr. Theodore P. Wright, Jr. hasmade a fascinating study of minority group politics and concludes that separatistpolitics in Hyderabad is more likely to harm the Muslim minority thanpotentially benefit it .Ratna Naidu's research into the Muslims of Bidar, Karnataka, a part ofthe old Hyderabad state, provides rare insight into the condition of the Muslimcommunity in a semi-rural setting. The Joss of privileges is studied byRashiduddin Khan and flawlessly woven into a fascinating narrative by AkbarS. Ahmad, a sociologist, and Usama Khalidi, a journaljst. Zahir Ahmad,an administrator who worked for both the Hyderabad and Indian governments,rightly observes that Indian adminstrators have an imperfect understandingof problems faced by the toiling masses, as most administrators come fromelitist backgrounds.Finally, Omar Khaljdi has combed through various books and journals ...