Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is popularly regarded as India’s Iron Man, having played a pivotal role in moulding modern-day India. Above all, Patel was devoted to his country and its people. He was a dedicated lawyer, a devout Gandhian, a freedom fighter, and a rabid rationalist. While being subjected to many injustices in his personal life, he remained cool and resolute throughout all of his missions, exemplifying the qualities of a karma yogi. He was one of three individuals at the forefront of affairs when India gained independence in 1947, the other two being Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. Patel’s services to independent India are sometimes overlooked. This article examines his legacy from a variety of perspectives.
Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, an Indian statesman and barrister, became a founding father of the Republic of India and one of the founders of the Indian National Congress. He was a social leader who directed the country’s independence war and managed its unification into a single, sovereign nation. He was often called Sardar in India and internationally, the word for Chief in Hindi, Persian, and Urdu. Patel grew up in the Gujarat countryside. He worked as a lawyer and had a thriving practice. Patel then recruited peasants from Kheda, Borsad, and Bardoli in Gujarat in nonviolent civil disobedience against the British Raj’s repressive laws and became one of Gujarat’s most powerful leaders. He climbed to the top of the Indian National Congress. He led the party through rebellions and political events, organised the party for elections in 1934 and 1937 and pushed the Quit India movement. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister on August 15, 1947, while Sardar Patel became the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister. He was also in charge of the Ministry of States, as well as Home Affairs and Information and Broadcasting. As India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Patel organised aid for refugees in Punjab and Delhi and led efforts to restore peace across the country. Sardar Patel was tasked with uniting India from the British colonial provinces granted to India and the more than 500 self-governing princely states liberated from British suzerainty during the Indian Independence Movement. He was foresightful and saw the consolidation of these states as crucial to India’s future. He pleaded with the country’s officials to keep the country united.
“It is primarily due to Sardar Patel’s statesmanship and harsh administration that there is now an India to think about and write about,” author. Dr. Rajendra Prasad wrote in his journal on May 13, 1959. Sardar Patel was a foresightful individual. He penned a letter to Jawaharlal Nehru on November 7, 1950 declaring that China could not be trusted. China attacked India twelve years after Patel died. The General of Bardoli, Gujarat’s Lion, India’s Man of Steel, the Sardar of the country’s war for freedom, the Mighty Architect of India’s integration, the Sardar Patel of rock-like willpower, died in December 1950, at the age of 75. He is remembered as the “Patron Saint” of India’s public workers for developing modern all-India Administrative Services. He is also known as the “Iron Man of India” or the “Indian Bismarck.”
FAQs
When was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel born and in which place?
Ans: He was born in Nadiad on 31st October 1875.
Who is known as the man of unity?
Ans: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has the world's tallest statue on the banks of the Narmada river in Gujarat.
Who gave Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel the title of "Sardar"?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi
What is the role of Patel in getting independence?
Ans: He served as independent India's first home minister and first deputy Prime Minister. He integrated over 500 princely states with the Union of India.
What are the achievements of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?
Ans: He successfully organised Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 and played an important role in the Non-cooperation movement of 1920-22. He even led the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928.
