Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is also acknowledged as the Iron Man of India.
He is recalled as a dynamic and robust freedom fighter of India. He had actively played a vital role in the Indian Freedom Movement.
Sardar Patel was one of the most well-known and protuberant leaders of the Indian Freedom struggle. He has a colossal contribution in bringing independence to our country.
Early Life and Education
On 31st October 1875, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in Leuva Patel Patidar community in Nadiad village in Gujarat.
His full name is Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel and popularly known as Sardar Patel. Sardar Patel’s father, Zaverbhai Patel, served in the Army of Queen of Jhansi and his mother, Ladbai, was inclined towards spirituality.
Patel was a courageous character since childhood. There had been an instance when he treated a painful boil without any hesitation using a hot iron rod.
At the age of 22, when everyone completes their graduation, Sardar Patel completed his matriculation, and due to this, everyone thought that he would be doing ordinary jobs.
After completing his matriculation, Sardar Patel continued his studies and became a law graduate and later travelled to England to become a barrister.
After returning to India, he continued practising law in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Contribution towards India’s Independence Movement
A meeting with M K Gandhi in October 1917 brought him closer to the Indian Independence movement.
He joined Indian National Congress, and his initial movements started with Satyagraha in Gujarat against British atrocities.
Later he actively participated and volunteered the Quit India Movement in 1942 closely working with Gandhiji.
Patel had a substantial contribution in uniting the people of India during Indian Freedom movements. During this time, he was jailed many times.
The feeling of patriotism and urge to expel out British from the Indian Territory became his first and only objective.
Sardar Patel – The Iron Man Of India
His life has been an inspirational and motivating one. Firstly, he accomplished his professional goals with very petite support from others and after that playing a significant decisive role in bringing the people of India together to fight for the Nation’s independence.
His faith in the principle of Unity in Diversity and standing united for the common cause of India’s Independence made him the Iron Man of India.
Due to his leadership qualities and ability to connect to the masses, he has been given the title of Sardar Patel, meaning leader Patel.
Life after India’s Independence
After independence, he played a protrusive role in the Integration of India.
He convinced the rulers of princely states to be united and be part of One India – One Nation, by travelling to far-flung areas and border areas.
Initially, after independence, he was appointed as 1st Home Minister of India and simultaneously the Commander in Chief of Indian Armed Forces.
Later he also became the 1st Deputy Prime Minister of India. He is among one of the three leaders who led India from 1947 to 1950.
Sardar Patel started keeping unwell rapidly since the summer of 1950 and Patel died on 15th December 1950 after suffering a heart attack at Birla House in Bombay, now Mumbai in Maharashtra, India.
Conclusion
Sardar Patel’s input to the Indian Freedom struggle has been incredible and incomparable. He was an immense source of inspiration for the youth of the Nation, not only during the Freedom movement but also in the current day.
He is being termed as the self-made man in the True sense. His ideologies of Integration have laid the foundation of Unity.
He was conferred the Bharat Ratna Award posthumously in 1991.
