Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Father of Indian Unification
This article talks about role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in freedom struggle of India and unification of nation after independence. It also highlights about his personal life and discusses the critical actions taken by him during freedom struggle of India.
Introduction
Early Life
Higher Education
Turning Point
Contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Hardships
Conclusion
Introduction
Vallabhbhai Patel, a great freedom fighter is popularly known by the titles of “Sardar” and “Iron man”. His quality of firm determination kept him active for national freedom and well being of its people. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a leader by merit. He invested thirty years of his life in serving nation.
Early Life
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in a peasant family on 31st Oct 1875 in Nadiad, Kheda district, Gujarat. He was fourth among five brothers and one sister. He completed his primary education at Karamsad village. Later, he studied in Petlad school. He completed his matric in 1897 from Petlad. At the age of 18 years, he got married with Jhevar Bai in 1893.
Higher Education
Vallabhbhai Patel studied law and started his practice from Boresad in 1902. He wanted to go England for education but he sent his elder brother Vithalbhai Patel and bore all expenses of his education. In 1910, when Vithalbhai returned from England, Vallabhbhai Patel went to England for education of Law at Middle Temple College. He was topper in his college. In 1913, he returned to India and started his practice in Ahmedabad.
Turning Point
In October 1917, Vallabhbhai Patel met Gandhi ji and his life got transformed under influence of Mahatma Gandhi. Though both of them also met earlier when Gandhi returned from South Africa and addressed members of Gujarat club. But at that time, Vallabhbhai did not give much attention to his words.
Contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Kheda Satyagrah
In 1918, a devastating flood destroyed 75% crops in Kheda district of Gujarat. Government was adamant to collect higher taxes. Gandhi ji urged peasants not to pay taxes. Vallabhbhai Patel gave up his practice and voluntarily led the command of Kheda Satyagrah. He organized 80,000 peasants of Kheda and filled them with the immense power to get ready for sacrifices. Under his strong leadership, in spite of intimidation and confiscation of land and cattle by British officials, peasants of Kheda continued their movement. The movement was a roaring success. At the end, British government had to return to revert to previous tax rates. Mahatma Gandhi himself said that movement would not get success if Vallabhbhai Patel were not there with him.
Role in Congress Expansion
Vallabhbhai Patel was a strong leader, organizer and influential orator. In a period of few months, he added three lakh new members to Indian National Congress and collected Rs 15 lakh. In 1920, he was elected as president of Congress Committee from Gujarat Pradesh.
Supporter of Mahatma Gandhi
Vallabhbhai Patel was follower of Gandhi ji and proponent of his idea of non violence. In 1922, when Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw Non Cooperation Movement due to violent incident of Chaura Chauri, Vallabhbhai Patel strongly supported his decision.
Nagpur Movement
Carrying of national flag was banned in Nagpur. In 1923, Vallabhbhai Patel was asked to lead Nagpur movement when Gandhi ji was absent. Both brothers Vithalbhai and Vallabhbhai led Nagpur satyagrah and hoisted national flag in Nagpur.
Bardoli Satyagrah
In 1928, during famine, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led a movement for peasants of Bardoli of Gujarat where he organized peasants for denial of payment of taxes. The success of movement brought the title of “Sardar” for Vallabhbhai Patel by the women peasants of Bardoli.
Salt Satyagrah
In 1930, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was given the task to go in to the roots of March from Ahmedabad to Dandi in order to enlighten the people. He was arrested and thrown in to Sabarmati prison.
President of Karachi Session
In 1931, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was elected as president of Karachi session of Indian National Congress. In this session, Gandhi-Irwin pact was ratified. In this session, a dream of a secular nation was cherished.
Election of Provincial Legislatures
In 1936, INC decided to contest elections of provincial legislatures. Vallabhbhai Patel was chairman of sub committee to select candidates for elections.
Role in Constituent Assembly
In the interim government headed by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was in charge of “home affairs” and Information & broadcasting”.
Unification of India
After independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became first home minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India. In front of him, a huge task was to integrate the nation. British said that even after 15 years of independence, India would not be able to unify. But Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did the tough task in less than two years period. He integrated 565 princely states of India in to Union of India. The princely states of India which occupied 40% area of country and ruled over one third population of India got unified from the nationalistic attitude generated by and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel among princes. Wherever required, he used diplomacy and forces to integrate the reluctant princely states.
Hardships
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a true patriot. For the national cause, he suffered from number of hardships. During salt satyagrah, Vallabhbhai Patel gave his full efforts to enlighten the people and to realize the importance of satyagrah, he was thrown in to Sabarmati jail. After return of Gandhi ji from second round table conference, both Gandhi and Patel were sent to Yerawada jail. During his jail term, Patel lost his beloved mother and elder brother Vithalbhai Patel. On the start of “Quit India” movement almost all leaders of Congress were arrested. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one among them and locked in Ahmedabad fort. They were released in 1945 only after end of World War II.
Conclusion
Starting his journey from peasant leader, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became a national leader who devoted his whole life for national freedom and well being of people of India. He fought against liquor, untouchability and oppression of women. During his struggle, he continued to practice Gandhian tools of satyagrah and non violence. Despite of multiple hardships and arrests, he did not divert from his path. He was rewarded with the highest honour of India, “Bharat Ratan” in 1991. The greatest contribution he made to serve his motherland was its unification. That is why, he is popular as “Indian Bismarck” and his birthday 31st October is celebrated as “National Unity Day” since 2014. He is an inspiring personality for all nation lovers.
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