For most Indians, freedom came on 15 August 1947, the day the British colonial flag was lowered and the tricolour rose over a new nation. But for some corners of this vast country, independence did not arrive that day.
In Hyderabad, Goa, and Sikkim, freedom or integration to India had its own date on the calendar.
One Nation, Many Freedom Dates
Every year on 15 August, the tricolour flutters in unison across the country. Schools, offices, and streets echo with patriotic songs. Behind this collective celebration lies a layered history, one where freedom unfolded in chapters, not in a single day.
Hyderabad: The Merger That Took a Year
When the rest of India broke free in August 1947, the Nizam of Hyderabad refused to join the Indian Union. For over a year, the princely state remained apart, even as the rest of the country took its first steps as a democracy.
It was only in September 1948, after Operation Polo by Indian forces, that Hyderabad merged with India. For many residents, that was the real Independence Day.
Goa: Liberation After 451 Years of Rule
While India celebrated 14 years of independence, Goa was still flying the Portuguese flag. Portugal refused to cede its colony, claiming Goa was an integral part of its overseas territory.
In December 1961, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Vijay, ending 451 years of colonial rule. Goa marks this day as Liberation Day, a reminder that independence came a decade and a half later than the rest of India.
Sikkim: From Monarchy to India’s 22nd State
High in the Himalayas, the kingdom of Sikkim followed a unique path. It became India’s protectorate in 1950 but remained an independent monarchy for decades.
In 1975, after a referendum, Sikkim officially joined the Indian Union as its 22nd state. For the people of Sikkim, 16 May marks their integration into the Indian story.
A Series of Dawns
Hyderabad’s merger, Goa’s liberation, and Sikkim’s integration are all part of the same journey that began in 1947. They show that independence in India was not one sunrise, but a series of dawns breaking across different horizons.
As the nation comes together this 15 August under one flag, it is worth remembering that freedom in India has many birthdays. Each one deserves to be celebrated.
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