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Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel commonly known as Sardar Patel played an important role in India’s freedom movement and persuaded princely states to join newly independent India.
For Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution to unite India, he has earned the title “Iron Man of India”. He was a lawyer in profession and became the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. In 2014, the government declared his birthday, October 31, as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day). Sardar vallabhbhai patel’s death date is 15 December 1950.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Death Anniversary: Remembering The Man Behind United India
Early Life
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875 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 mother, Ladbai, was inclined towards spirituality. Patel was a very brave character since childhood.
After matriculating, Sardar Patel continued his studies and became a bachelor of law and then went to England to become a barrister. After returning to India, he continued to practice law in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Role in Freedom Fight
In 1918, after being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Patel tried to change his image as a wealthy lawyer and started fighting for the peasants.
He played a key role in organising and mobilising Kheda Satyagraha in 1918, led by Gandhi to protest the high taxes the British imposed on farmers despite crop failures due to heavy rains and plague.
Patel was greatly influenced by Gandhi’s idea of satyagraha to protest oppressive British rule.
In 1922, 1924 and 1927, Patel was elected president of the city of Ahmedabad.
Patel’s demonstration in Bardoli, Gujarat against the tax increase as famine and floods hit the farmers in 1928 for which he was awarded the title of ‘sardar’.
These developments cemented his image as a nationalist and brought him into the British spotlight.
On March 7, 1930, just one day before the day Salt Satyagraha was proclaimed by Gandhi, the British arrested Patel in a village at Borsad taluka.
In 1942, despite his poor health, Patel played a leading role in encouraging the public to join the Quit India movement.
Addressing a huge gathering of more than 100,000 people at Gowalia Tank in Bombay (now Mumbai), he urged people to organise a large protest against British rule and the closure of civil service. Patel was taken into custody in August 1942.
Role in integration of India
Talking about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution to unite India, Patel served as India’s first independent Home Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister. He played a hugely important role in bringing more than 500 princely states into the union of India and hence is known as the ‘Iron Man’ of India.
The Indian Independence Act, 1947, which provided for the lapse of the British monarchy for the states of India, offered each nation the choice of joining India or Pakistan or continuing. as independent governing entities. Some of these princely states, such as Jammu and Kashmir and Hyderabad, are larger than a few European countries, while others consist of only a few villages – they collectively make up about two-fifths of the territory of India.
A new State Department was created headed by Patel and with V.P. Menon served as secretary and was charged with assembling the princely states into the Union of India.
Several states such as Baroda and Bikaner quickly joined the union, but a few, including Junagadh and Hyderabad, initially refused. However, Patel and his team still managed to bring 565 separate states into the union.
Death
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s death date is December 15, 1950. Vallabhbhai Patel’s health began to deteriorate in 1950. At that time, he had a premonition that he would not be able to survive. After a few days, his health began to decline, leaving him confined to bed. On December 15, 1950,he died and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s death’s reason was a heart attack. His birthday i.e. January 31st was declared as Rashtriya Ekta Divas or National Unity Day in 2014. In 1991, he received the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Conclusion
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution to unite India and in India’s freedom struggle is substantial and incomparable.His social work like organising and mobilising Kheda Satyagraha in 1918, led by Gandhi to protest the high taxes the British imposed on farmers despite crop failures due to heavy rains and plague is an inspiration. He is an abundant source of inspiration for the nation’s youth, not only in the Freedom movement but also today. He is called a self-made man in the truest sense of the word. Its integration ideologies laid the groundwork for unity. He received the Bharat Ratna Award in 1991.
