Iron Man Of India

  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the Indian leaders whose contributions to the freedom struggle and role in building up the infant nation are of equal significance. He helped to organise the Indian nationalist movement and after independence in 1947, was successful in integrating several hundred princely states into the Republic of India.

   Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875, in a farmer’s family in Nadiad in Gujrat. His father had served in the army of the Queen of Jhansi against the British. Thus, patriotism seemed to be inherited by him. Early in life, he showed qualities of leadership and determination. Before he completely immersed himself into the struggle for independence, he did a brief stint as a barrister, earning good money, living fashionably and moving in elite social circles.

  However, a speech at the Gujrat Club by Mahatma Gandhi, changed his life. The Mahatama’s views, his conviction, his gentleness and his sincerity impressed Vallabhbhai. Thus began a legendary association between the two which lasted all their lives. Patel was influenced by the militant non-violent campaign or Satyagraha of Gandhiji. He used this method of struggle to secure justice for the peasants of Gujrat. His first success as a nationalist leader was in 1917-18 when he fought on behalf of the farmers of Khaira district in Gujrat for putting of the collection of land revenue.

   In 1928, he successfully led the landowners of Bardoli in their resistance against increased taxes. His efficient leadership of the Bardoli campaign earned him the title ‘Sardar’ (leader). In 1917, he became the first Indian Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad. He remained in the past till 1924 when he became its elected Municipal President.

    With the fame he gained in the Bardoli Satyagraha and in the Ahmedabad municipality, Patel emerged as an important member of the Gandhian leadership of the Congress at the end of the 1920s. He participated in and organised the non-cooperation efforts during the Quit India Movement and was imprisoned several times. For his achievements, the Congress Party recognised him by making him the President of the Congress Session held at Karachi in 1931. Though Patel was the leading contender for the Congress Presidentship, he was persuaded by Gandhiji on several occasions to give way to Nehru. When the Japanese attacked India during Second World War, Patel rejected Gandhiji’s non-violence. He also supported the view that partition was the only way out to solve the growing Hindu-Muslim divide.

    Patel was a minister of the interim government and following independence and partition he became the Deputy Prime Minister. After independence in 1947, as India’s Home Minister for states and Minister for Information and Broadcasting, he had to deal with the communal disturbances. He handled the situation with a blend of firmness and reliance on the good sense of the people. He believed in equal treatment for all Indians since he saw them as people of one nation, bound by the same rules, rights and duties.

   Sardar Patel’s crowning glory came when he, as Home Minister achieved the merger of princely states into the Indian Union after independence. Reluctant states like Junagarh and Hyderabad were forced to join Indian Union and were not allowed to join either Pakistan or remain independent. This effort was crucial to the national integration of India and was the most important accomplishment of Patel’s career.

    Throughout his political career, Patel concentrated on party organisation, often displaying strength and decisiveness. He believed in hard work and discipline and was known as the ‘Iron Man of India’. He had a severe heart attack in 1948, some months after Gandhiji’s assassination. Although he continued his work for two years, he never fully recovered and finally passed away in Bombay in 1950. A United India, our proud legacy, is the greatest contribution of Sardar Patel. As a statesman also, Vallabhbhai Patel was far sighted. Owing to Sardar Patel’s efforts and vision, the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Police Service and other Central Services were formed. He wanted the best people to join these services. Since these services were under the control of the Central Government, he felt they would have a national outlook and help in national integration.