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.

    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

    The impact of Gandhiji's personality on Vallabhbhai was tremendous. It gave him a new mission in life. The Champaran struggle waged by Gandhiji had a sweeping effect on Patel's mind. In Gandhiji's Champaran victory Patel saw the beginning of a new agrarian revolution. His interest in politics had been kindled, as became abunduntly clear in the Provincial Political Conference organised by the Gujarat Sabha and presided by Gandhiji at Godhara. The conference appointed a permanent committee with Gandhiji as the President and Patel as one of the secretaries. He became a staunch follower of Gandhiji. From then on there was no looking back. Blessed with rare qualities of fortitude, integrity and an iron determination, Patel played an important role in the freedom movement.  

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

    To find an amicable solution to this complicated situation, Sardar issued a statement to the princes wherein he appealed to their sense of patriotism and reiterated that the new States department in no way, desire to have supremacy over them. "If at all, any sense of supremacy is required, it would be with common understanding and for common good. We are at a momentous stage in the history of India. By common endeavour, we can raise the country to new greatness, while lack of unity will expose us to unexpected calamities. I hope the Indian States will realise fully that if we do not cooperate and work together in the general interest, anarchy and chaos will overwhelm us all great and small, and lead us to total ruin". The statement which amply reflected his statesmanship and political sagacity, removed whatever doubts lurked in the minds of the princes.

    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

    The impact of Gandhiji's personality on Vallabhbhai was tremendous. It gave him a new mission in life. The Champaran struggle waged by Gandhiji had a sweeping effect on Patel's mind. In Gandhiji's Champaran victory Patel saw the beginning of a new agrarian revolution. His interest in politics had been kindled, as became abunduntly clear in the Provincial Political Conference organised by the Gujarat Sabha and presided by Gandhiji at Godhara. The conference appointed a permanent committee with Gandhiji as the President and Patel as one of the secretaries. He became a staunch follower of Gandhiji. From then on there was no looking back. Blessed with rare qualities of fortitude, integrity and an iron determination, Patel played an important role in the freedom movement.  

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

    To find an amicable solution to this complicated situation, Sardar issued a statement to the princes wherein he appealed to their sense of patriotism and reiterated that the new States department in no way, desire to have supremacy over them. "If at all, any sense of supremacy is required, it would be with common understanding and for common good. We are at a momentous stage in the history of India. By common endeavour, we can raise the country to new greatness, while lack of unity will expose us to unexpected calamities. I hope the Indian States will realise fully that if we do not cooperate and work together in the general interest, anarchy and chaos will overwhelm us all great and small, and lead us to total ruin". The statement which amply reflected his statesmanship and political sagacity, removed whatever doubts lurked in the minds of the princes.

    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. 

When Pakistani infiltrators attacked Kashmir, Sardar Patel proposed withholding Pakistan's share of cash balances left by the British. Gandhiji felt such an act would be morally wrong and went on a fast unto death. Sardar Patel tried to prevail over Gandhiji,

but he finally relented in order to save the life of the "Father of the Nation." 

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.

Cultural India : Leaders : Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Born: 31 October 1875

Passed Away: 15 December 1950

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.

Indian National Movement

In 1917, Sardar Vallabhbhai was elected as the Secretary of the Gujarat Sabha. The next year, when there

was a flood in Kaira, the British insisted on collecting tax from the farmers. Sardar Vallabhbhai led a massive

"No Tax campaign" that urged the farmers not to pay their land. The peaceful movement forced the British

authority to return then land taken away from the farmers His effort to bring together the farmers of his area

brought him the title of 'Sardar' to his name.

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.

Integration of princely states

At the time of independence, Indian territory was divided into three parts. First, the territories under the direct

control of the British government, second were the territories over which the hereditary rulers had

suzerainty. The regions, which had been colonized by France and Portugal, formed the last. India, without

the integration of these different territories under one roof, could not be considered as a unified and total

country. It was a stupendous task for the ruling party, to persuade the rulers of these states to join.

According to British government, the province rulers had the liberty to choose how they wanted to be ruled.

They were given two choices. They could join either of India and Pakistan or stay independently. The stance

of the British government had made the task much difficult for India. At this point many leaders of the

congress approached the rulers but they failed to convince. At last, they all made a request Vallabhbhai

Patel to think some other options to bring the princely rulers under Indian control. Sardar Patel eventually

dealt with the tough-situation and came out successfully. He had made secured their accession. Therefore,

the state of India we see today was a result of the efforts put in by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

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.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in Gujarat on 31st of October 1875 into a family of patriots. His father was a farmer and fought for India's freedom from the British. Vithalbhai, Vallabhbhai's elder brother, was also a well-known patriot. He was the Chairman of the Indian Legislative Council.From a young age itself Vallabhbhai was very courageous and raised his voice against injustice. His ambition was to become a barrister like his brother. He studied very hard and travelled to England and passed the Barrister-at-Law Examination. After he returned to India he setup a practice in Ahmedabad which was very successful and he earned a lot of money. Around this time the struggle for freedom was gaining a lot of momentum. Gandhiji attended a conference in Gujarat where he met Vallabhbhai and they became friends.

In 1918, Vallabhbhai took the responsibility of leading the farmers of Gujarat. He was very successful in his struggle against the British and became a prominent leader in the freedom struggle. In 1920, the Congress started the non-cooperation struggle and Vallabhbhai gave up his practice. He setup the Gujarat Vidyapeeth where children could study instead of attending Government schools.In 1928 he successfully organised the landowners of Bardoli against British tax increases. It was after this that Vallabhbhai was given the title of Sardar(Leader). In 1931 he served as President of the Indian National Congress. He was sent to jail by the British and freed only in 1934.

 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, 1875Died: December 15, 1950Achievements: 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.

When Vallabhbhai reached Ahmedabad and came to know Gandhiji's decision, he immediately went to him and asked, "Bapu, how did you take the decision alone to handover the library to the Municipality? Did you have the right to do so?"

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.

Such was Vallabhbahi Patel, a unique and devoted leader.

SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL- THE IRON MAN OF INDIAEmail

Written by lionofgujarat on Dec-15-08 7:03pm2008-12-15T05:33:40

PHENOMENAL   LEADER   OF   INDIA

Vallabh bhai patel was born on 31st October 1875 at Nadiad in Gujarat, popularly known as a “IRONMAN ” of India. He was one of the most influential freedom fighter and socialleader of India during Indian freedom movement. He is always appreciated foraccomplishing the integration of princely states of India. In India and acrossthe world, he is known as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, where Sardarstands for Chief in many languages of India.  

Born and raised in the countryside ofGujarat, Vallabhbhai Patel was a

self-educated, forceful and successfulGujarati lawyer, when he was

inspired by the work and philosophy of MahatmaGandhi. Patel

organized the peasants of Kheda and Bardoli in Gujarat innon-violent

mass civil disobedience against the oppressive tax policiesimposed by

the British Raj - becoming the one of the most influential leader

inGujarat. He rose to the national leadership of the Indian National

Congress andat the forefront of rebellions and political events —

organizing the party forelections in 1934 and 1937, and helping lead

Indians into the ‘Quit IndiaMovement’. Patel was known amongst

nationalists as "Gandhi'slieutenant," and he enjoyed considerable

support and respect in theCongress for his decisive and

straightforward leadership.

INTEGATION OF INDIA BY SARDAR PATEL

Becoming the first Home Minister andDeputy Prime Minister of India,

Patel organized relief and rehabilitationefforts in the riot-struck

Punjab and Delhi, and leading efforts to restorepeace and security.

Patel took charge of the task to forge a united Indiafrom a plethora of

semi-independent princely states, colonial provinces andpossessions.

Patel employed an iron fist in a velvet glove diplomacymdash; frank

political negotiations backed with the option (and the use) ofmilitary

action to weld a nation that could emancipate its people without

theprospect of divisions or civil conflict. His leadership obtained the

peacefuland swift integration of all 565 princely states into the

Republic of India.Patel's initiatives spread democracy extensively

across India, and re-organizedthe states to help transform India into a

modern federal republic. His admirerscall him the Iron Man of India.

Patel was the chairman of thecommittees responsible for minorities,

tribal and excluded areas, fundamentalrights and provincial

constitutions. He worked closely with Muslim leaders toend separate

electorates and the more potent demand for reservation of seatsfor

minorities. He was also instrumental in the founding the

IndianAdministrative Service and the Indian Police Service, and for his

defence ofIndian civil servants from political attack, he is known as the

"patronsaint" of India's services. When a delegation of Gujarati

farmers cameto him citing their inability to send their milk production

to the markets withoutbeing fleeced by middlemen, Patel exhorted

them to organise the processing andsale of milk by themselves, and

guided them to create the Kaira DistrictCo-operative Milk Producers'

Union Limited, which preceded the Amul milkproducts brand.

WARNED NEHRU BEFORE HE MADE BIG MISTAKE

When the Pakistani invasion ofKashmir began in September 1947,

Patel immediately wanted to send troops intoKashmir. But agreeing

with Nehru and Mountbatten, he waited till Kashmir'smonarch had

acceded to India. Patel then oversaw India's military operations

tosecure Srinagar, the Baramulla Pass and the forces retrieved a lot of

territoryfrom the invaders. Patel, along with Defence Minister Baldev

Singh administered the entire military effort,

arrangingfor troops from different parts of

India to be rushed to Kashmir and for amajor military road connecting

Srinagar to Pathankot be built in 6 months.Patelstrongly advised

Nehru against going for arbitration to the United Nations,insisting that

Pakistan had been wrong to support the invasion and theaccession to

India was valid. He did not want foreign interference in abilateral

affair. Patel opposed the release of Rs. 55 crores to the Governmentof

Pakistan, convinced that the money would go to finance the war

against Indiain Kashmir. The Cabinet had approved his point but it was

reversed when Gandhi,who feared an intensifying rivalry and further

communal violence, went on afast-unto-death to obtain the release.

Patel, though not estranged from Gandhi,was deeply hurt at the

rejection of his counsel and a Cabinet decision.

I Have been always influenced by following

leadership skillof

SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL

     Tenacity :-one the most inspiring strong point of Sardar Patel was

hisfirmness to the goal decided to achieve. His tenacity was indeed

incomparable.

     Invincibility :- After getting freedom, when whole world was thinking

that Indiawould be divided in thousands of parts, Sardar Patel was the

person who provedthem wrong and integrate India.

     Ability of strong and fast decision making skill :- Before freedom or

afterfreedom Sardar Patel was always know for his decision making.

     Influence & team building :-one of the most important characteristic

of any leader is hisinfluencing ability. Sardar Patel was full of this skill.

For eg. Organizedfarmers of Kheda and Bardoli of Gujarat to hold

mass- nonviolent civildisobedience first time in India. At that point

farmers were not united and wasdetermined to do violent movement

against Britishers.

     Conflict resolution :- Sardar Patel was also having great conflict

resolution skill.There are so many example in his life for it but the way

he consolidated IndianPrincely States that is really incomparable.

     Flexibility according to situation :- Sardar Patel’s most inspiring

characteristic was adaptability withany kind of situation. When he was

moving from one village to another to unitethe India, he faced many

hurdles, he went to jail many times

     Never ending Winning Spirit :- I have read a book about Sardar

Patel’slife, written by Rajmohan Gandhi, I was motivated by his never

ending spirit,dedication to work, loyalty to country, always adapting

with group andmaintaining balance in group (specially in context of

Jawaharlal Nehru).thereare somany incidents during his

childhood about how he used to go school, his tolerance power etc.

which reallymotivated me.

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

Sardar Patel: A rare constructive genius

We, as a nation, do not realise that great questions of the day are not settled by speeches and slogans but by sound and solid action. Ideas are important. But it is the constructive work alone that can "inject meaning into the veins of history and civilisation".

There is no one in modern India who has achieved so much in so many directions and in such a short time as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. At the time of his death, the Manchester Guardian wrote: "Without Patel, Gandhi's idea would have less practical influence and Nehru's idealism less scope. He was not only the organiser of the fight for freedom, but also the architect of the new state when the fight was over. The same man is seldom successful both as rebel and statesman. Sardar Patel was an exception."

Integration of States

Sardar Patel's integration over 560 princely states was really a great triumph for the sense of realism and responsibility. In respect of this great task, he has often been compared with Chancellor Bismarck who unified Germany in the late 19th century. But Patel's achievement is far more remarkable than that of Bismarck.

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.

Both Gandhi and Lord Mountbatten warmly recognised Patel's great contribution. Gandhi observed: "The task of

dealing with the princes was truly formidable, but I am convinced that the Sardar was the only person who could have coped with it." Lord Mountbatten, in his letter of June 19, 1948, to Patel, wrote: "There is no doubt that by far the most important achievement of the present Government is unification of the States into the Dominion of India. Had you failed in this, the results would have been disastrous. But since you succeeded, no one can see the disastrous consequences that you avoided. Nothing has added to the prestige of the present Government more than the brilliant policy you have followed with the States."

Patel first formulated a great design for a well-knit India and then proceeded to materialise it on the ground. He aroused the patriotic sentiments of the princes and reminded them: "We are at a momentous stage in the history of India. By a common endeavour, we can raise the country to a new greatness, while lack of unity will expose us to fresh calamities."

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.

Patel's approach to the highly complex issues of integration of a wide variety of princely states was marked by an inspired vision, tact, magnanimity, inflexible will and 'resolute practicability'. When Nikita Khrushchev visited India in 1956, he significantly observed: "You Indians are a remarkable people. You have liquidated the princely states without liquidating the princes." It was, by implications, a great tribute to the remarkable work of Patel.

Patel and Kashmir

If Patel had handled Jammu & Kashmir, the subsequent confusion and contradictions would have been avoided and we would not have found ourselves in the bloody and brutal mess of the present day.

Patel had correctly sized up Sheikh Abdullah and sensed his proclivity to bully. His practical sense forbade him to believe that all Indian eggs could be safely placed in the Sheikh's basket. He bemoaned India's reference of the Kashmir case to the United Nations. He tried his best to secure deletion of the words, "plebiscite under the UN auspices", from Jawaharlal Nehru's radio broadcast on October 28, 1947.

In his private conversation, he sometimes satirically referred to the 'expertise' of the two votaries of the UN in the Government of India -- Lord Mountbatten and Nehru. Patel was also against Gopalaswamy Ayyangar being sent as leader of the Indian delegation to the UN and Sheikh Abdullah as member. He preferred Sir Girja Shankar to the former; about the latter, he feared that the "Sheikh's flamboyant personality might easily swamp the boat".

It was unwise to agree to many of Sheikh Abdullah's unreasonable demands and bolster his ego to such an extent that he started nursing illusions of carving out a virtual 'Sheikhdom' for himself and his coterie. Had Patel remained on the scene, he would have halted the appeasement in time.

To the extent Patel was able to influence the course of events in Jammu & Kashmir, his contribution was fruitful. When the raiders were on the outskirts of Srinagar and Lt Col Ranjit Rai and Major Som Nath Sharma of the Indian Army had been killed, being heavily outnumbered, Patel, accompanied by Defence Minister Baldev Singh flew to the State capital, assessed the situation on the ground and on return to New Delhi ordered stoppage of all airline services and diversion of all planes for flying troops to Srinagar.

The timely arrival of reinforcements enabled Brigadier Sen to lure the raiders in the net of Indian forces, near Shaltang, and attack them on November 5 from three sides. The raiders

were routed. Three hundred of them were killed. The battle of Shaltang (November 7) proved decisive. Three days afterwards, advancing Indian troops recaptured Baramullah.

If Patel had his way, he would not have allowed Maharaja Hari Singh to be humiliated. Left to himself, he would have struck a proper balance between the requirements of the Union and the State and also harmonised, within a sound and truly secular and democratic framework, the aspirations of Sheikh Abdullah, Maharaja Hari Singh and those of the people of three main regions -- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Reorganisation of Civil Services

During the freedom struggle, the Indian Civil Service was on the other side of the fence and incurred the wrath of the Congress leaders. Nehru berated it as "neither Indian nor civil nor service".

As the freedom movement gained momentum and the spectacle of Partition loomed larger over the Indian horizon, the members of the Indian Civil Service became uneasy about their future. Thanks to the constructive genius of Patel, the tangle was satisfactorily resolved.

Patel's approach was that of a statesman. He did not allow the past rancour of the Congress against the ICS to blur his vision. He firmly believed that the All-India Services had a vital role to play in building a strong and united India. He advocated the retention of ICS and IP and proposed the constitution of two new All-India Services -- the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service.

Patel explained his reasons for favouring the continuance of the institution of the ICS during the debate in the Constituent Assembly. A few members criticised his proposals. Saxena reminded the Assembly: "It was the steel frame of the ICS that had enslaved us." Ayyangar said: "It means that they were the rulers under the old regime and that they will continue to be so in this regime." But Patel defended the ICS vigorously.

In a speech, which must be reckoned as historic in the arena

of public administration in India, Patel said: "In point of patriotism, in point of sincerity and in point of ability, you cannot have a substitute... As a man of experience, I tell you, do not quarrel with the instruments with which you want to work. It is a bad workman who quarrels with his instruments."

Patel's acknowledgement of the role of the Indian Civil Service boosted the morale of the officers and gave them a new sense of confidence and purpose. They saw in him a "great guardian of their legitimate interests". He, with the enthusiastic support of the officers, not only completed the integration of the states and steered the country through a critical phase, but also put the Indian administration on a secure foundation.

Developing a New Model of Civic Governance

Though little known, Patel's work in the field of civic administration was no less remarkable. In 1948, the Bombay Corporation held a civic reception in honour of Patel. On the occasion, he was asked what he considered to be the 'finest hour' of his illustrious career. Nobody expected him to say what he said. Inviting attention to his work first as chairman of the Sanitary Committee (1917-22) and then as president of the Municipal Board (1924-28). Patel reflected: "To cleanse the dirt of the city is quite different from cleansing the dirt of politics. From the former you get a good night's rest, while the latter keeps you worried and you lose your sleep."

Patel's approach was direct and dynamic. He often combined his morning walks with the inspection tour of the city. In the company of GV Mavalankar and civic officers, he moved into the narrow streets, ascertained the problems from the people and took prompt remedial measures. e constructed a model which solved many of the acute problems of sanitation, health, water supply, waste disposal and traffic.

Sometimes Patel appeared on the streets, himself leading the sanitary team. This created a new fervour not only among his staff, but also the youth who joined his campaign.

Taking cue from Patel's selfless work in the streets of Ahmedabad, Gandhi advised the municipal councillors all

over the country "not to seek honours or indulge in mutual rivalries, but to have real spirit of service and covert themselves into unpaid sweepers and road-makers and, above all, take pride in doing so."

Protector of True Interests of Minorities

Patel has been accused of being anti-Muslim. Unfortunately, in the present-day India, this accusation has to be faced by all those who are the real benefactors of Muslims, but have the courage and commitment of calling a spade a spade, and making a distinction between appeasement and fairness, between whetting the appetite of a trouble-maker and telling him to behave.

Patel, it is often forgotten, was the chairman of the Minorities Sub-Committee of the Constituent Assembly. The liberal provisions which our Constitution contains for the protection of linguistic and cultural rights of the minorities speak volumes about his catholicity. Gandhi's unflinching faith in Patel's secularism comes out clearly in a letter of October 24, 1924, written to him by Mahadev Desai, during Gandhi's famous 21-day fast for Hindu-Muslim unity. Mahadev said: "Whatever may happen on Hindu-Muslim front in Gujarat, as long as you are there, Bapu is at peace. If a storm occurs despite your presence, Bapu will assume that it was not possible to prevent it."

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

Patel was an embodiment of probity in public life. The only property he left comprised a few dhotis and kurtas and a suitcase. He did not tolerate malfeasance anywhere. Even a minor impropriety by his partymen was sternly dealt with.

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.