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The history of India would have been different had Sardar Patel not been the Deputy
Prime Minister when India became independent in 1947. The triumvirate- Gandhiji,
Nehru and Sardar Patel were responsible for giving direction to the destiny of the
country. Sardar Patel consolidated the country into one united whole in a unique manner.
Born on October 31, 1875 at Nadiad, in the Kaira district of Gujarat, Vallabh Bhai
Patel was the son of Zaverbhai Galabhai Patel , a Leva Patidar.
Patel passed the matriculation examination from the Nadiad High School in 1897.
Qualities
. This class of cultivators was known for their simple character, industrious habits and
straightforward dealings. Vallabh Bhai possessed an ingenous mind as a school boy. He
was a rebel whose exceptional organisational abilities were recognised by his
schoolmates and teachers.
Gandhiji's Disciple
Indomitable Personality
It was due to his sterling leadership and practical vision that the peasant movement in
Gujarat became a success. It was in this struggle that the organisational capacity for
which Sardar Patel was famous in the whole country became visible. He took over as the
nascent nation's Home Minister at a very crucial juncture in history and devoted himself
whole heartedly to ensure that the country which was already partitioned, remained intact
and united.
Building a Union
On the eve of their departure, the British government announced that its paramountcy
would lapse not only over the British territory but even over the native States . This
meant that as many as 625 small and big native States would become independent like
India and Pakistan. Consequently, the country would be divided into a number of small
and big units.
Before embarking on this mammoth task, Sardar sought to ensure the stability of
administration by forging a bridge of faith and confidence with the"Steel Frame". Most of
the I.C.S. officers suspected that the Congress leaders, particularly Sardar in view of his
past experiences with them, would have no faith in the I.C.S. But Sardar rose to the
occasion and reposed total trust in their capability to serve the nation. He was, thus, able
to win their unstinted support in the endeavour of nation building.
Attempts were afoot for finalising the standstill agreement with the States. It provided
that the Central Government will be vested with powers of defence, foreign policy and
communications even over the States. Travancore, Hyderabad and some other States
declared themselves sovereign States and created hurdles in the agreement. On the other
end, Jinnah with a view to tempt Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and other border States made them
an unconditional offer to align with Pakistan on their terms.
Political Sagacity
There was a popular agitation in Travancore and the State acceded to India. The
Nawab of Bhopal could not take all this but when he realised that there was no
alternative, he sent the instrument of accession duly signed to Sardar.
A man of iron will and absolute fearlessness, Sardar Patel tackled the question of 550
and odd State territories and principalities in such a strategic manner which left even his
wildest critics in complete amazement. Almost within a year he redrew the map of India
with every princely State joining the Indian union and thus, forming part of the political
stream of life that was endowed with cultural unity and harmony.
Intricate Situation
The intricacy of the situation can perhaps be gauged by the fact that there were 26
small States in Orissa and 15 in the Chattisgarh area of present Madhya Pradesh. It
required skilful diplomacy on the part of Sardar Patel to persuade them to merge into
bigger, more viable units. Even more ticklish was the case of Saurashtra where there were
14 big States, 119 small States and other units under different administrations totalling
860.
The herculean task of merging all of them into the Saurashtra union was also
accomplished by Sardar Patel. Soon, State after State started acceding to the Indian
Union. One after the other, Gwalior, Indore, Dhar, Dewas all accepted the advice of
Sardar. Rajputana States followed the same. The Sikhs of Punjab also cooperated with
the merger.
Even by August 15, Hyderabad kept aloof. Hence, Lord Mountbatten himself started
negotiations. At one stage, it appeared that there was a settlement but Nizam found
himself helpless against the pressures of Razakars. The Razakars started harassing the
local public. Thus, when the situation went out of control, Sardar with the consent of the
Governor General initiated police action. In 108 hours, the Nizam surrendered and
Hyderabad acceded and merged with India. The Nawab of Junagadh accepted an
accession with Pakistan. Sardar solved this complex problem in his own inimitable way
and the Nawab and his Diwan left Junagadh for Pakistan.
Thus, the 'Yagna' for establishment of a united India undertaken by Sardar was
completed with the merger of Hyderabad. Politically, India became one and united. In the
history of India stretched over ages, India became one and united for the first time and
that too without shedding a drop of blood. That was the marvel of the personality of
Sardar. The sterling qualities of leadership he had shown as leader of Satyagraha,
flowered in greater way in the administration of the country, maintenance of law and
order and ensuring stability of the country and making it invulnerable.
Achievements: Successfully led Kheda Satyagraha and Bardoli revolt against British government; elected
Ahmedabad's municipal president in 1922, 1924 and 1927; elected Congress President in 1931; was
independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister; played a key role in political
integration of India; conferred Bharat Ratna in 1991.
Sardar Patel was popularly known as Iron Man of India. His full name was Vallabhbhai Patel. He played a
leading role in the Indian freedom struggle and became the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister
of India. He is credited with achieving political integration of India.
Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Nadiad, a small village in Gujarat. His father
Jhaverbhai was a farmer and mother Laad Bai was a simple lady. Sardar Vallabhai's early education took
place in Karamsad. Then he joined a school in Petlad. After two years he joined a high school in a town
called Nadiad. He passed his high school examination in 1896. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a brilliant
student throughout his schooling.
Vallabhbhai wanted to become a barrister. To realize this ambition he had to go to England. But he did not
have the financial means to even join a college India. In those days a candidate could study in private and
sit for an examination in Law. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel borrowed books from a lawyer of his acquaintance
and studied at home. Occasionally he attended courts of law and listened attentively to the arguments of
lawyer. Vallabhbhai passed the Law examination with flying colours.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel started his Law practice in Godhra. Soon his practice flourished. He got married
to Jhaberaba. In 1904, he got a baby daughter Maniben, and in 1905 his son Dahyabhai was born.
Vallabhbhai sent his elder brother Vitthalbhai, who himself was a lawyer, to England for higher studies in
Law. Patel was only thirty-three years old when his wife died. He did not wish to marry again. After his
brother's return, Vallabhbhai went to England. He studied with single-minded devotion and stood first in
the Barrister-at-Law Examination.
Sardar Patel returned to India in 1913 and started his practice in Ahmedabad. Soon he became popular.
At the urging of his friends, Patel contested and won elections to become the sanitation commissioner of
Ahmedabad in 1917. Sardar Patel was deeply impressed by Gandhiji's success in Champaran Satyagraha.
In 1918, there was a drought in the Kheda division of Gujarat. Peasants asked for relief from the high rate
of taxes but the British government refused. Gandhiji took up peasants cause but could not devote his full
time in Kheda. He was looking for someone who could lead the struggle in his absence. At this point
Sardar Patel volunteered to come forward and lead the struggle. He gave up his lucrative legal practice
and entered public life.
Vallabhbhai successfully led peasants revolt in Kheda and the revolt ended in 1919 when the British
government agreed to suspend collection of revenue and roll back the rates. Kheda Satyagraha turned
Vallabhbhai Patel into a national hero. Vallabhbhai supported Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement, and as
president of the Gujarat Congress, helped in organizing bonfires of British goods in Ahmedabad. He gave
up his English clothes and started wearing Khadi. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was elected Ahmedabad's
municipal president in 1922, 1924 and 1927. During his terms, Ahmedabad was extended a major supply
of electricity and underwent major education reforms. Drainage and sanitation systems were extended
over all the city.
In 1928, Bardoli Taluka in Gujarat suffered from floods and famine. In this hour of distress the British
government raised the revenue taxes by thirty percent. Sardar Patel took up cudgels on behalf of the
farmers and appealed to the Governor to reduce the taxes. The Governor refused and the government
even announced the date of the collection of the taxes. Sardar Patel organized the farmers and told them
not to pay even a single pie of tax. The government tried to repress the revolt but ultimately bowed
before Vallabhbhai Patel. It was during the struggle and after the victory in Bardoli that caused intense
excitement across India, that Patel was increasingly addressed by his colleagues and followers as Sardar.
Sardar Patel was imprisoned during Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. After the signing of Gandhi-
Irwin pact in 1931, Sardar Patel was released and he was elected Congress president for its 1931 session
in Karachi. Upon the failure of the Round Table Conference in London, Gandhiji and Sardar Patel were
arrested in January 1932 and imprisoned in the Yeravada Central Jail. During this term of imprisonment,
Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi grew close to one another, and the two developed a close bond of
affection, trust, and frankness without reserve. Sardar Patel was finally released in July 1934.
In August 1942, the Congress launched the Quit India Movement. The government jailed all the important
leaders of the Congress, including Vallabhai Patel. All the leaders were released after three years. After
achieving independence on 15th of August 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister
of independent India and Sardar Patel became the Deputy Prime Minister. He was in charge of Home
Affairs, Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of States.
There were 565 princely states in India at that time. Some of the Maharajas and Nawabs who ruled over
these were sensible and patriotic. But most of them were drunk with wealth and power. They were
dreaming of becoming independent rulers once the British quit India. They argued that the government of
free India should treat them as equals. Some of them went to the extent of planning to send their
representatives to the United Nations Organization. Patel invoked the patriotism of India's monarchs,
asking them to join in the freedom of their nation and act as responsible rulers who cared about the future
of their people. He persuaded the princes of 565 states of the impossibility of independence from the
Indian republic, especially in the presence of growing opposition from their subjects. With great wisdom
and political foresight, he consolidated the small kingdoms. The public was with him. He tackled the Nizam
of Hyderabad and the Nawab of Junagarh who initially did not want to join India. Sardar Patel's untiring
efforts towards the unity of the country brought success. He united a scattered nation without much
bloodshed. Due to the achievement of this massive task, Sardar Patel got the title of 'Iron Man'. Sardar
Patel died of cardiac arrest on December 15, 1950. For his services to the nation Sardar Patel was
conferred with Bharat Ratna in 1991.
SARDAR PATEL - BUILDER OF A STEEL STRONG INDIA*
The history of India would have been different had Sardar Patel not been the Deputy
Prime Minister when India became independent in 1947. The triumvirate- Gandhiji,
Nehru and Sardar Patel were responsible for giving direction to the destiny of the
country. Sardar Patel consolidated the country into one united whole in a unique manner.
Formative Years
Born on October 31, 1875 at Nadiad, in the Kaira district of Gujarat, Vallabh Bhai
Patel was the son of Zaverbhai Galabhai Patel , a Leva Patidar. This class of cultivators
was known for their simple character, industrious habits and straightforward dealings.
Vallabh Bhai possessed an ingenous mind as a school boy. He was a rebel whose
exceptional organisational abilities were recognised by his schoolmates and teachers.
Patel passed the matriculation examination from the Nadiad High School in 1897.
Patel had two ambitions to fulfil , first to become a pleader and later a barrister. During
those days a matriculate could become a lawyer by taking the pleaders examination. He
became a pleader in 1900, and started practising in Godhra. In 1902 he shifted to Balsad,
a taluka headquarter, where he practised as a criminal lawyer for nearly eight years,
during which period he had built a name for himself as a most successful criminal lawyer.
In 1910, he left for London and joined the Middle Temple, where he took an examination
in Roman Law and stood first. He returned to India in 1913 and started practising as a
barrister in Ahmedabad , fulfilling his second ambition.
Gandhiji's Disciple
Indomitable Personality
It was due to his sterling leadership and practical vision that the peasant movement in
Gujarat became a success. It was in this struggle that the organisational capacity for
which Sardar Patel was famous in the whole country became visible. He took over as the
nascent nation's Home Minister at a very crucial juncture in history and devoted himself
whole heartedly to ensure that the country which was already partitioned, remained intact
and united.
Building a Union
On the eve of their departure, the British government announced that its paramountcy
would lapse not only over the British territory but even over the native States . This
meant that as many as 625 small and big native States would become independent like
India and Pakistan. Consequently, the country would be divided into a number of small
and big units.
Before embarking on this mammoth task, Sardar sought to ensure the stability of
administration by forging a bridge of faith and confidence with the"Steel Frame". Most of
the I.C.S. officers suspected that the Congress leaders, particularly Sardar in view of his
past experiences with them, would have no faith in the I.C.S. But Sardar rose to the
occasion and reposed total trust in their capability to serve the nation. He was, thus, able
to win their unstinted support in the endeavour of nation building.
Attempts were afoot for finalising the standstill agreement with the States. It provided
that the Central Government will be vested with powers of defence, foreign policy and
communications even over the States. Travancore, Hyderabad and some other States
declared themselves sovereign States and created hurdles in the agreement. On the other
end, Jinnah with a view to tempt Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and other border States made them
an unconditional offer to align with Pakistan on their terms.
Political Sagacity
There was a popular agitation in Travancore and the State acceded to India. The
Nawab of Bhopal could not take all this but when he realised that there was no
alternative, he sent the instrument of accession duly signed to Sardar.
A man of iron will and absolute fearlessness, Sardar Patel tackled the question of 550
and odd State territories and principalities in such a strategic manner which left even his
wildest critics in complete amazement. Almost within a year he redrew the map of India
with every princely State joining the Indian union and thus, forming part of the political
stream of life that was endowed with cultural unity and harmony.
Intricate Situation
The intricacy of the situation can perhaps be gauged by the fact that there were 26
small States in Orissa and 15 in the Chattisgarh area of present Madhya Pradesh. It
required skilful diplomacy on the part of Sardar Patel to persuade them to merge into
bigger, more viable units. Even more ticklish was the case of Saurashtra where there were
14 big States, 119 small States and other units under different administrations totalling
860.
The herculean task of merging all of them into the Saurashtra union was also
accomplished by Sardar Patel. Soon, State after State started acceding to the Indian
Union. One after the other, Gwalior, Indore, Dhar, Dewas all accepted the advice of
Sardar. Rajputana States followed the same. The Sikhs of Punjab also cooperated with
the merger.
Even by August 15, Hyderabad kept aloof. Hence, Lord Mountbatten himself started
negotiations. At one stage, it appeared that there was a settlement but Nizam found
himself helpless against the pressures of Razakars. The Razakars started harassing the
local public. Thus, when the situation went out of control, Sardar with the consent of the
Governor General initiated police action. In 108 hours, the Nizam surrendered and
Hyderabad acceded and merged with India. The Nawab of Junagadh accepted an
accession with Pakistan. Sardar solved this complex problem in his own inimitable way
and the Nawab and his Diwan left Junagadh for Pakistan.
Thus, the 'Yagna' for establishment of a united India undertaken by Sardar was
completed with the merger of Hyderabad. Politically, India became one and united. In the
history of India stretched over ages, India became one and united for the first time and
that too without shedding a drop of blood. That was the marvel of the personality of
Sardar. The sterling qualities of leadership he had shown as leader of Satyagraha,
flowered in greater way in the administration of the country, maintenance of law and
order and ensuring stability of the country and making it invulnerable.
* 123rd Birth Anniversary of Sardar Patel is being observed on October 31, 1998
Born: October 31, 1875
Died: December 15, 1950
Achievements: Successfully led Kheda Satyagraha and Bardoli revolt against British government; elected
Ahmedabad's municipal president in 1922, 1924 and 1927; elected Congress President in 1931; was
independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister; played a key role in political
integration of India; conferred Bharat Ratna in 1991.
Sardar Patel was popularly known as Iron Man of India. His full name was Vallabhbhai Patel. He played a
leading role in the Indian freedom struggle and became the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister
of India. He is credited with achieving political integration of India.
Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Nadiad, a small village in Gujarat. His father
Jhaverbhai was a farmer and mother Laad Bai was a simple lady. Sardar Vallabhai's early education took
place in Karamsad. Then he joined a school in Petlad. After two years he joined a high school in a town
called Nadiad. He passed his high school examination in 1896. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a brilliant
student throughout his schooling.
Vallabhbhai wanted to become a barrister. To realize this ambition he had to go to England. But he did not
have the financial means to even join a college India. In those days a candidate could study in private and
sit for an examination in Law. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel borrowed books from a lawyer of his acquaintance
and studied at home. Occasionally he attended courts of law and listened attentively to the arguments of
lawyer. Vallabhbhai passed the Law examination with flying colours.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel started his Law practice in Godhra. Soon his practice flourished. He got married
to Jhaberaba. In 1904, he got a baby daughter Maniben, and in 1905 his son Dahyabhai was born.
Vallabhbhai sent his elder brother Vitthalbhai, who himself was a lawyer, to England for higher studies in
Law. Patel was only thirty-three years old when his wife died. He did not wish to marry again. After his
brother's return, Vallabhbhai went to England. He studied with single-minded devotion and stood first in
the Barrister-at-Law Examination.
Sardar Patel returned to India in 1913 and started his practice in Ahmedabad. Soon he became popular.
At the urging of his friends, Patel contested and won elections to become the sanitation commissioner of
Ahmedabad in 1917. Sardar Patel was deeply impressed by Gandhiji's success in Champaran Satyagraha.
In 1918, there was a drought in the Kheda division of Gujarat. Peasants asked for relief from the high rate
of taxes but the British government refused. Gandhiji took up peasants cause but could not devote his full
time in Kheda. He was looking for someone who could lead the struggle in his absence. At this point
Sardar Patel volunteered to come forward and lead the struggle. He gave up his lucrative legal practice
and entered public life.
Vallabhbhai successfully led peasants revolt in Kheda and the revolt ended in 1919 when the British
government agreed to suspend collection of revenue and roll back the rates. Kheda Satyagraha turned
Vallabhbhai Patel into a national hero. Vallabhbhai supported Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement, and as
president of the Gujarat Congress, helped in organizing bonfires of British goods in Ahmedabad. He gave
up his English clothes and started wearing Khadi. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was elected Ahmedabad's
municipal president in 1922, 1924 and 1927. During his terms, Ahmedabad was extended a major supply
of electricity and underwent major education reforms. Drainage and sanitation systems were extended
over all the city.
In 1928, Bardoli Taluka in Gujarat suffered from floods and famine. In this hour of distress the British
government raised the revenue taxes by thirty percent. Sardar Patel took up cudgels on behalf of the
farmers and appealed to the Governor to reduce the taxes. The Governor refused and the government
even announced the date of the collection of the taxes. Sardar Patel organized the farmers and told them
not to pay even a single pie of tax. The government tried to repress the revolt but ultimately bowed
before Vallabhbhai Patel. It was during the struggle and after the victory in Bardoli that caused intense
excitement across India, that Patel was increasingly addressed by his colleagues and followers as Sardar.
Sardar Patel was imprisoned during Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. After the signing of Gandhi-
Irwin pact in 1931, Sardar Patel was released and he was elected Congress president for its 1931 session
in Karachi. Upon the failure of the Round Table Conference in London, Gandhiji and Sardar Patel were
arrested in January 1932 and imprisoned in the Yeravada Central Jail. During this term of imprisonment,
Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi grew close to one another, and the two developed a close bond of
affection, trust, and frankness without reserve. Sardar Patel was finally released in July 1934.
In August 1942, the Congress launched the Quit India Movement. The government jailed all the important
leaders of the Congress, including Vallabhai Patel. All the leaders were released after three years. After
achieving independence on 15th of August 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister
of independent India and Sardar Patel became the Deputy Prime Minister. He was in charge of Home
Affairs, Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of States.
There were 565 princely states in India at that time. Some of the Maharajas and Nawabs who ruled over
these were sensible and patriotic. But most of them were drunk with wealth and power. They were
dreaming of becoming independent rulers once the British quit India. They argued that the government of
free India should treat them as equals. Some of them went to the extent of planning to send their
representatives to the United Nations Organization. Patel invoked the patriotism of India's monarchs,
asking them to join in the freedom of their nation and act as responsible rulers who cared about the future
of their people. He persuaded the princes of 565 states of the impossibility of independence from the
Indian republic, especially in the presence of growing opposition from their subjects. With great wisdom
and political foresight, he consolidated the small kingdoms. The public was with him. He tackled the Nizam
of Hyderabad and the Nawab of Junagarh who initially did not want to join India. Sardar Patel's untiring
efforts towards the unity of the country brought success. He united a scattered nation without much
bloodshed. Due to the achievement of this massive task, Sardar Patel got the title of 'Iron Man'. Sardar
Patel died of cardiac arrest on December 15, 1950. For his services to the nation Sardar Patel was
conferred with Bharat Ratna in 1991.
BACK
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875, in a farmer's family in Nadiad, Gujarat. His
father, Zaverbhai, had served in the army of Jhansi ki Rani, and his mother, Ladbai, was a
deeply religious woman.
Vallabhbhai's initial schooling was in Gujarati. His brother Vithalbhai, after completing
middle school, had enrolled himself in English tutorial classes in a nearby town.
Vallabhbhai followed suit. Vallabhbhai's superior organizational skills became evident
while he was in high school at Petlad when he coordinated the entire campaign for a poor
teacher who he thought deserved a seat on the local municipal committee. Vallabhbhai
persuaded his fellow students to work for the campaign. So impressively was the
campaign handled that the teacher was elected over the rich local businessman.
Vallabhbhai matriculated from Nadiad High School in 1897.
Vallabhbhai was married to Zaverbai in 1891. The couple had two children-a daughter
Maniben, born in April of 1904, and a son Dayabhai, born in November of 1905. Zaverbai
died in January of 1909.
Vallabhbhai sailed for England in August of 1910 to study law. He qualified as a barrister in
1913 and returned to India to a lucrative practice in Ahmedabad. He joined the Gujarat Club
and took to western dressing and a comfortable lifestyle.
Gandhiji started coming to the Gujarat Club to give lectures. He came again and again,
propagating the idea of his newly wielded weapon of "satyagraha" or truth force.
Vallabhbhai was impressed with Gandhiji and slowly began to adopt his view. The
relationship between Gandhiji and Vallabhbhai was concretely defined when Gandhiji was
elected the President of the Gujarat Sabha and Vallabhbhai the Secretary, in 1917. It was a
relationship of a guru (teacher) and disciple.
Vallabhbhai got his first opportunity to utilize Gandhiji's philosophy of satyagraha in 1918
for the farmers of Kaira who had lost their crops to heavy rains and floods that year. The
government disregarded the farmers' misery and insisted on collecting land revenue.
Vallabhbhai organized the No Tax campaign on peaceful, Gandhian lines. The government
held out and began confiscating land and what little crops and cattle the farmers still had.
Vallabhbhai, now decked in a dhoti, kurta and cap urged the farmers not to buckle. The
government eventually relented and returned the confiscated property. This was the first
victory of satyagraha for Vallabhbhai. He was jubilant.
Vallabhbhai took to spinning the charkha, boycotted foreign goods and clothes and burned
his foreign possessions on public bonfires. He even discarded the western dresses he
once so coveted. There was no stopping Vallabhbhai. He participated in the Nagpur flag
satyagraha from May to August in 1923 in protest against the stopping of a procession
which carried the national flag.
In 1928, Vallabhbhai once again came to the rescue of the farmers, this time it was in
Bardoli, which was then a part of Surat district. The Government increased the tax on the
land. Vallabhbhai urged the farmers not to pay, declaring the hike unjust. He prepared the
farmers for satyagraha. The farmers refused to pay the tax hike. In retaliation, the
Government confiscated their land, cattle and crops and arrested hundreds of farmers.
There was a mass exodus from Bardoli to escape the Government's atrocities. The farmers
that remained continued the satyagraha. Vallabhbhai told the farmers not to sell milk,
vegetables and necessities to any person unless they produced a chit assigned by the
local satyagraha committee. The "peaceful" war raged for six months. Finally Vithalbhai,
Vallabhbhai's brother, who was President of the Central Legislative Assembly, brokered a
comprise. The Government agreed to hold an inquiry into the justification of the tax hike,
released the satyagrahis and returned all confiscated items back to the farmers. So
pleased was Gandhiji with Vallabhbhai's effort that he gave him the title of "Sardar" or
leader.
On March 12, 1930, Sardar Patel left for Dandi to prepare for Gandhiji's Salt satyagraha. He
went to villages to organize for the food and lodging of the marchers. In every village he
went, he made stirring speeches, rousing the people to join the march to Dandi. The
Government swooped down and arrested him while he was in the village of Ras. This was
Sardar Patel's first prison sentence. He was released after the Gandhi-Irwin pact of March
1931. That year he presided over the Congress session in Karachi.
Gandhiji sailed for London to attend the Round Table Conference in 1931. Sardar Patel
regularly updated him on the situation in India. Ironically, the British Government in India
stepped up repression just when the Conference was going on in London. Gandhiji was
arrested on his return from the Conference. Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru were also
imprisoned. Sardar Patel was imprisoned with Gandhiji in Yeravada Jail, Pune, where they
spent 16 months together. While Sardar Patel was in jail, his mother and brother died. He
refused to be released to attend to their last rites.
In 1937, elections for the provincial governments were held under the Government of India
Act of 1935. Sardar Patel was elected Chairman to the Parliamentary Sub-Committee which
was to select Congress candidates and organize the elections. Sardar Patel's hard work
resulted in the Congress forming majority governments in most Provinces. All the
Congress ministries resigned when the British arbitrarily included India in the war effort
against Germany and Japan. Gandhiji planned an individual satyagraha to protest India's
inclusion in the war without being consulted. Sardar Patel was among the first batch of
leaders to offer satyagraha. Arrests of the participants followed.
On August 8, 1942, the Congress and Gandhiji passed the "Quit India" resolution, calling
upon the British to withdraw from India. The Government responded with arrests of Sardar
Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhiji and other eminent Congress leaders. Sardar Patel was
imprisoned in Ahmednagar Fort while Gandhiji was kept in Aga Khan Palace.
On March 23, 1946, the Labor Prime Minister of Britain arrived in India to assure
independence for India. An Interim Government was proposed and Sardar Patel once again
was asked to handle the campaign for the Congress. Again the Sardar delivered. The
Congress won thumping majorities in almost all provinces. Jawaharlal Nehru became
Prime Minister in September 1946 and Sardar Patel held the portfolios of Home and
Information and Broadcasting. On August 15, 1947, India became free, but only after
Pakistan was created.
Sardar Patel handled the portfolio of Home Minister, Minister of States and Minister of
Information and Broadcasting. As Home Minister he had to deal with communal
disturbances that continued to rock the nation after partition. He transferred army units
from Pune and Madras to deal with the disturbances in Delhi. He had the army move ten
thousand Muslims to Red Fort to protect them from the riots.
Sardar Patel handled the integration of all the princely states into the Indian Union with
great expertise. Under the Cabinet Mission, all the princely states had the right to join
Pakistan, India or remain independent. The Sardar declared that "we are all knit together by
bonds of blood and feelings... Therefore, it is better for us to make laws sitting together as
friends." Sardar Patel dealt with Hyderabad and Junaghad firmly when these states tried to
join Pakistan or remain independent. Gandhiji was full of praise.
As time passed, differences in opinion formed between Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Gandhiji wanted both to work together for the betterment of India. On January 30, 1948,
Sardar Patel met Gandhiji who expressed his wish that Sardar Patel work side by side with
Nehru. The same day Gandhiji was assassinated. Sardar Patel was crushed. He was further
hurt when he was criticized for not protecting Gandhiji. Sardar Patel wanted to post plain-
cloth policemen at the Gandhiji's prayer meetings, but Gandhiji had forbidden it. After
Gandhiji's death, Sardar Patel acted as Gandhiji had wished and worked closely with
Nehru.
Sardar Patel formed the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and other
Central Services to assist in the process of nation building. The "Iron Man of India" died in
Bombay in December 1950. He left behind a united India.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in unifying the princely states to form Union of
India. For his fearless approach and stern appearance, Sardar Patel was regarded as the Iron
man of India. To know more about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, read this brief biography and
profile.
Contributions
Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the great social leaders of India. He played a crucial role during the freedom
struggle of India and was instrumental in the integration of over 500 princely states into the Indian Union.
Despite the choice of the people, on the request of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel stepped down from the
candidacy of Congress president. The election on that occasion eventually meant for the election of the first
Prime Minister of independent India.
Life
Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Gujarat to Zaverbhai and Ladbai. Vallabhbhai, His father
had served in the army of the Queen of Jhansi while his mother was a very spiritual man.
Starting his academic career in a Gujarati medium school Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and shifted to an English
medium school. In 1897, Vallabhbhai passed his high school examination and started preparing for law
examination. 1910, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel went to England to study law. He completed his law studies in
1913 and came back to India and started his law practice. For his Excellencies in Law, Vallabhbhai was
offered many lucrative posts by the British Government but he rejected all. He was a staunch opponent of
the British government and its laws and therefore decided not to work for the British.
He later started practicing at Ahmedabad. After a meeting with Mahatma Gandhi, at the Gujarat Club,
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel got influenced by Gandhi's words. Later, inspired by Gandhi's work and philosophy
Patel became a staunch follower of him.
In 1928, the farmers of Bardoli faced a similar problem of "tax-hike". After prolonged summons, when the
farmers refused to pay the extra tax, the government in retaliation seized their lands.
Vallabhbhai Patel. The agitation took on for more than six months and after a deal struck
between the government and farmer's representatives, the lands were returned.
In 1930 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was imprisoned for participating in the famous Salt
Satyagraha called by Mahatma Gandhi. His inspiring speeches during the "Salt
Movement" transformed the lives of numerous people, who later played a major role in
making the movement successful.
Sardar Patel was freed in 1931 following an agreement signed between Mahatma Gandhi
and Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India. The treaty was popularly known as the Gandhi-Irwin pact. The
same year, Patel was elected as the president of Indian National Congress Party for its Karachi session.
In the Karachi session, the Indian National Congress Party committed itself to the defence of fundamental
rights and human rights and a dream of a secular nation. An agreement regarding this was also sanctioned.
In 1934, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the all-India election campaign for the Indian National Congress.
Though he did not contest a seat for himself, Sardar Patel helped his fellow party mates during the election.
Sardar Patel was annoyed at Jawaharlal Nehru for the latter's declarations of the adoption of socialism in
1936. Patel also considered Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose a "keen of more power within the party.
Influence of Gandhi
While senior leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari and Maulana Azad criticized
Mahatma Gandhi's concept that the civil disobedience movement would compel the British to leave the
nation, Patel extended his support to Gandhi. Despite the unwillingness of the Congress High Command,
Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel strongly forced the All India Congress Committee to ratify
the civil disobedience movement and launch it without delaying further. Acting under the pressure, the All
India Congress Committee sanctioned the drive on 7 August 1942.
One important episode that could change the political lines of the country had shaped up just a year of
attaining independence. During the election for the Congress presidency in 1946, thirteen of the sixteen
states proposed Sardar Patel's name for the post. It was a very crucial election, as the elected president of
the congress party would be later considered as the first Prime Minister of independent India. Just a few
days, before the all important election, Mahatma Gandhi request Sardar Patel to leave the candidacy and
support Jawaharlal Nehru. Sardar Patel, without pondering twice, stepped down.
Death
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's health declined in 1950. He, himself realized that he was not going to live much
longer. On 2 November his health deteriorated further and was confined to bed. After suffering a massive
heart attack, on 15 December 1950, the great soul left the world.
In 1942 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was again sent to jail because of the start of the
"Quit India Movement".
1n 1947 when India got freedom Sardar Patel became the Deputy Prime Minister. He
was in charge of Home Affairs, Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of
States. He was given the task of organizing 600 states into one nation. He took
strong steps like sending the army to Junagadh and Hyderabad to force them to
align with free India. It is because of these strong steps that earned him the title of
"The man of steel".
Sardar Vallabhbhai passed away in Bombay on the morning of the 15th December
1950.
Born: October 31, 1875
Died: December 15, 1950
Achievements: Successfully led Kheda Satyagraha and Bardoli revolt against British
government; elected Ahmedabad's municipal president in 1922, 1924 and 1927; elected
Congress President in 1931; was independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home
Minister; played a key role in political integration of India; conferred Bharat Ratna in 1991.
Sardar Patel was popularly known as Iron Man of India. His full name was Vallabhbhai Patel. He played a
leading role in the Indian freedom struggle and became the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of
India. He is credited with achieving political integration of India.
Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Nadiad, a small village in Gujarat. His father Jhaverbhai
was a farmer and mother Laad Bai was a simple lady. Sardar Vallabhai's early education took place in
Karamsad. Then he joined a school in Petlad. After two years he joined a high school in a town called
Nadiad. He passed his high school examination in 1896. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a brilliant student
throughout his schooling.
Vallabhbhai wanted to become a barrister. To realize this ambition he had to go to England. But he did not
have the financial means to even join a college India. In those days a candidate could study in private and
sit for an examination in Law. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel borrowed books from a lawyer of his acquaintance
and studied at home. Occasionally he attended courts of law and listened attentively to the arguments of
lawyer. Vallabhbhai passed the Law examination with flying colours.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel started his Law practice in Godhra. Soon his practice flourished. He got married to
Jhaberaba. In 1904, he got a baby daughter Maniben, and in 1905 his son Dahyabhai was born. Vallabhbhai
sent his elder brother Vitthalbhai, who himself was a lawyer, to England for higher studies in Law. Patel was
only thirty-three years old when his wife died. He did not wish to marry again. After his brother's return,
Vallabhbhai went to England. He studied with single-minded devotion and stood first in the Barrister-at-Law
Examination.
Sardar Patel returned to India in 1913 and started his practice in Ahmedabad. Soon he became popular. At
the urging of his friends, Patel contested and won elections to become the sanitation commissioner of
Ahmedabad in 1917. Sardar Patel was deeply impressed by Gandhiji's success in Champaran Satyagraha.
In 1918, there was a drought in the Kheda division of Gujarat. Peasants asked for relief from the high rate of
taxes but the British government refused. Gandhiji took up peasants cause but could not devote his full time
in Kheda. He was looking for someone who could lead the struggle in his absence. At this point Sardar Patel
volunteered to come forward and lead the struggle. He gave up his lucrative legal practice and entered
public life.
Vallabhbhai successfully led peasants revolt in Kheda and the revolt ended in 1919 when the British
government agreed to suspend collection of revenue and roll back the rates. Kheda Satyagraha turned
Vallabhbhai Patel into a national hero. Vallabhbhai supported Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement, and as
president of the Gujarat Congress, helped in organizing bonfires of British goods in Ahmedabad. He gave up
his English clothes and started wearing Khadi. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was elected Ahmedabad's
municipal president in 1922, 1924 and 1927. During his terms, Ahmedabad was extended a major supply of
electricity and underwent major education reforms. Drainage and sanitation systems were extended over all
the city.
In 1928, Bardoli Taluka in Gujarat suffered from floods and famine. In this hour of distress the British
government raised the revenue taxes by thirty percent. Sardar Patel took up cudgels on behalf of the
farmers and appealed to the Governor to reduce the taxes. The Governor refused and the government even
announced the date of the collection of the taxes. Sardar Patel organized the farmers and told them not to
pay even a single pie of tax. The government tried to repress the revolt but ultimately bowed before
Vallabhbhai Patel. It was during the struggle and after the victory in Bardoli that caused intense excitement
across India, that Patel was increasingly addressed by his colleagues and followers as Sardar.
Sardar Patel was imprisoned during Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. After the signing of
Gandhi-Irwin pact in 1931, Sardar Patel was released and he was elected Congress president for
its 1931 session in Karachi. Upon the failure of the Round Table Conference in London, Gandhiji
and Sardar Patel were arrested in January 1932 and imprisoned in the Yeravada Central Jail.
During this term of imprisonment, Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi grew close to one another,
and the two developed a close bond of affection, trust, and frankness without reserve. Sardar Patel was
finally released in July 1934.
In August 1942, the Congress launched the Quit India Movement. The government jailed all the important
leaders of the Congress, including Vallabhai Patel. All the leaders were released after three years. After
achieving independence on 15th of August 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister
of independent India and Sardar Patel became the Deputy Prime Minister. He was in charge of Home
Affairs, Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of States.
There were 565 princely states in India at that time. Some of the Maharajas and Nawabs who ruled over
these were sensible and patriotic. But most of them were drunk with wealth and power. They were dreaming
of becoming independent rulers once the British quit India. They argued that the government of free India
should treat them as equals. Some of them went to the extent of planning to send their representatives to
the United Nations Organization. Patel invoked the patriotism of India's monarchs, asking them to join in the
freedom of their nation and act as responsible rulers who cared about the future of their people. He
persuaded the princes of 565 states of the impossibility of independence from the Indian republic, especially
in the presence of growing opposition from their subjects. With great wisdom and political foresight, he
consolidated the small kingdoms. The public was with him. He tackled the Nizam of Hyderabad and the
Nawab of Junagarh who initially did not want to join India. Sardar Patel's untiring efforts towards the unity of
the country brought success. He united a scattered nation without much bloodshed. Due to the achievement
of this massive task, Sardar Patel got the title of 'Iron Man'. Sardar Patel died of cardiac arrest on December
15, 1950. For his services to the nation Sardar Patel was conferred with Bharat Ratna in 1991.
Meerut, India, November 03 — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a great leader. His
tireless work for the freedom, progress, unity and integrity of India is a testament of
his unique personality filled with dedication and devotion.
He accepted Gandhiji as his political preceptor and leader in 1918, on the eve of the
Kisan Satyagraha in Kaira district of Gujarat. After that, his dedication for Gandhiji
proved matchless in the entire Gandhian era of India's freedom movement.
Vallabhbhai's dedication for Gandhiji was such that he never forgot to wash dishes or
clean the chappals or footwear of his preceptor and whenever he stayed with
Gandhiji, he rendered all possible service. Even while voting, to pass resolutions
during his tenure in the Congress Committee, he would follow Gandhiji's vote and do
the same.
Seeing Vallabhbhai's dedication and devotion for the Mahatma, many of his
contemporaries believed he was a blind follower of Mahatma Gandhi. However, he
was not a blind follower but full of determination and used to communicate with
Gandhiji clearly without fear. Fearlessness ran in his blood and bones.
In this context, the episode relating to the library of the Gujarat Vidyapeeth of
Ahmedabad is a good example. Gandhiji had founded the Gujarat Vidyapeeth and
also set up a library there.
In those days Kakasaheb Kalelkar was the principal of the Vidyapeeth. On the advice
of Kalelkar, Gandhiji placed the Vidyapeeth's library under the charge of the
Municipality of Ahmedabad. The Gujarat Vidyapeeth was managed by a Trust and
any decisions on managing its various faculties including the library could be taken
only by its Trustees. Vallabhbhai was one of the Trustee and was not in Ahmedabad
when Gandhiji took the decision on the library without consulting him.
Gandhiji was speechless when Vallabhbhai told him, "Bapu, you have to withdraw
your decision. The Vidyapeeth has its own Trust, which can take decisions by
majority votes. Yes, you can present your opinion, if any, before the Trust."
"Yes, it was my fault indeed", Gandhiji accepted. He told Vallabhbhai that he would
correct his fault by asking the Municipality to hand over the library back to the
Vidyapeeth. And, immediately he wrote to the Municipality about his non-democratic
decision. As a result, the Vidyapeeth got its library back. Such was the firmness and
frankness of Vallabhbhai.
Vallabhbhai was a true follower of Gandhiji whom he considered as his father. The
path of non-violence taken by Gandhiji for the welfare of his compatriots, in dire
conditions, was one that won India its freedom. Therefore, he accepted the Mahatma
as his preceptor.
His elder brother Vithalbhai Patel, whom Vallabhbhai greatly respected and
considered as his father, also emerged as one of the stalwarts in India's politics,
then. However, Vallabhbhai accepted Gandhiji as his Guru and leader and not his
brother. In 1920, during the time of the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movement,
Vallabhbhai said he would lock himself up and give the key to Bapu.
In fact, Vallabhbhai's devotion and dedication is similar to that seen in the Hindu
mythology Ramayana where Lord Rama is surrounded by his devotees like his wife
Goddess Sita, his brother Laxman, the monkey God Hanuman etc, so are considered
great characters due to their deep devotion for Lord Rama.
In the entire Gandhian era of India's freedom movement, despite the presence of
freedom fighters like Rajendra Prasad, Abul Ghaffar Khan and Sarojini Naidu, who
were loyal to Gandhiji, it was only Vallabhbhai who uttered that he would lock
himself and give the key to Bapu.
Although others believed Gandhian philosophy and followed his footprints, it was only
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was happy to lock himself and give the key to Gandhiji.
Conclusion
Thus, life of Sardar Patel is continuous flow
of inspirations. Thisgreat leader was self-educated. He
has nurtured many skills in his self by hisown. The
above-mentioned qualities about him are most desired
in a manager alsobecause problems never come after
informing us. I used to peep into the book of‘Sardar
Patel- A dedicated life’ when I feel myself caught up in
any verydifficult problem and I am always able to find
the solution out of it. It won’tbe exaggeration to say that
after Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel is the most saluted
leader in India.I salute this great Leader.
Nation needs his iron will
Jagmohan
Integration of States
The latter had only to deal with about a dozen states; Patel
had to handle 561. While Bismarck resorted to the policy of
'blood and iron', Patel brought about a bloodless revolution.
He showed an amazing capacity to size up men and moments
and strike when the iron was hot. Without splattering any
blood, he caused about 800,000 sq km of land to be added to
the Indian Union, besides a population of 86 million.
At the same time, Patel took care not to allow any grass to
grow underneath his feet. He scotched Nawab of Bhopal's
idea of grouping a few States and securing a separate
dominion status. And when compulsive denigrators of India,
like Winston Churchill, tried to complicate the Hyderabad
problem by propping up the divisive game of the Nizam, "an
old and faithful ally of the Empire", Patel responded clearly
and firmly: "It is only in goodwill spirit and not on the malice
and venom of Mr Churchill's tongue that an enduring
relationship can be built between India and Britain and other
members of the Commonwealth." The message went home
and the browbeating of India stopped.
Sizing-up of China
Patel was a realist to the core. He was the first to see through
Chinese aggressive designs. In a letter of November 7, 1950,
to Nehru, he had observed: "The final action of the Chinese is
little short of perfidy. The tragedy of it is that the Tibetan put
faith in us, and we have been unable to get them out the
meshes of Chinese malevolence. Chinese irredentism and
Communist imperialism are different from the expansionism
or imperialism of the Western Powers. The former has a cloak
of ideology which makes it 10-times more dangerous." Patel's
warning proved prophetic. We all know what a humiliation
India suffered at the hands of Chinese in 1962.
Standard of Probity
Today, when things in India are falling apart and the Union is
tottering, the national leadership ought to take a leaf from
Patel's book and show the same constructive vision and iron
will which he showed at a critical juncture of our history.