Razakars
Topic: Challenges of Nation Building: Partition, Princely States and Reorganisation · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 1 "Challenges of Nation Building"
Meaning
The Razakars were a communal paramilitary force, meaning an armed group organised around religion. The Nizam of Hyderabad let them loose on the people's movement against his rule. They were linked to Qasim Razvi's Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. They killed, raped and looted, mainly targeting non-Muslims. Their violence was a major reason for India's army action in Hyderabad.
Example
In 1947-48, Communists and the Hyderabad State Congress led a movement against the Nizam, and Telangana peasants and women joined in large numbers. The Razakars attacked them. India then launched Operation Polo, a 'police action' by the army, from 13 to 18 September 1948. The Nizam surrendered, and Hyderabad acceded to India.
Don't confuse with
- Telangana armed struggle: this was the Communist-led peasant uprising against the Nizam's feudal oppression. The Razakars were the Nizam's force used against people's movements like it.