The Nazim of Hyderabad Prince Body Guard (PBG) Gilt Brass Cap / Collar Badge, pre 1948 Indian Princely State

An attractive die cast gilded brass cap badge of the Nazim of Hyderabad 's Bodyguard. It measures 3.4cms wide and 3.2cms tall, with two small integral lugs to the reverse. In very good condition.

In 1947, at the time of the partition of India, Britain offered the 566 princely states in the sub-continent the option of acceding to either India or Pakistan, or remaining independent.

Hyderabad was the largest and most prosperous of all princely states in India. It covered 82,698 square miles (214,190 km2) of fairly homogeneous territory and had a population of roughly 16.34 million people (as per the 1941 census), of which a majority (85%) was Hindu. Hyderabad State had its own army, airline, telecommunication system, railway network, postal system, currency and radio broadcasting service.

The Nazim decided to keep Hyderabad independent, unlike the other princely states, most of which acceded to India or to Pakistan voluntarily. The leaders of the new Indian Union did not want an independent - and possibly hostile - state in the heart of their new country. and were determined to assimilate Hyderabad into the Indian Union, by force if necessary. In September 1948, in Operation Polo, the Indian Army marched into Hyderabad, deposed the Nizam, and annexed the state into the Indian Union.

MHS Bulletin IX No 33 p8 / Plate 2 refers.

Code: 60430