For most of India, the story of freedom begins on 15 August 1947, the day British rule ended and the tricolour was hoisted for the first time over an independent nation. Yet, in several parts of the country, independence had a different date, and the journey to becoming part of India stretched on for years after that historic day. The stories of Hyderabad, Goa, and Sikkim remind us that the nation’s unification was not a single event but a gradual process of political, diplomatic, and sometimes military efforts.
Hyderabad, one of the richest princely states, chose to remain independent after the British departure. The Nizam resisted joining the Indian Union, and for over a year, Hyderabad stood apart while the rest of the country began shaping its democratic identity. This changed in September 1948, when the Indian government launched Operation Polo, a swift military action that brought Hyderabad into the Union. For many people in the region, this was the day they truly became part of independent India.
Goa’s path to freedom was even longer. While the rest of India celebrated over a decade of independence, Goa remained under Portuguese rule. Portugal insisted that Goa was not a colony but an overseas province, refusing all diplomatic efforts for integration. It was only in December 1961, through Operation Vijay, that Indian forces liberated Goa, ending 451 years of Portuguese control. Goans celebrate this as Liberation Day, marking their own chapter in India’s freedom story.
Sikkim’s case was unique, shaped by its geography and monarchy. The Himalayan kingdom became a protectorate of India in 1950, but retained its own ruler and internal governance. Decades later, political changes and public sentiment led to a 1975 referendum in which the people voted to abolish the monarchy and join India as its 22nd state. On 16 May 1975, Sikkim formally became part of the Union, adding another milestone to the nation’s integration.
Together, these episodes highlight that India’s independence was not marked by one dawn but by many, each breaking over different regions at different times. As the country celebrates every 15 August, it is worth remembering these other dates too—moments when diverse parts of the subcontinent joined the national fold, enriching the meaning of freedom for all.
