Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

 

Sardar Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel

 

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is also known as the Iron Man of India. He was the first deputy Prime Minister of India. He was a barrister of repute and a man who played a leading role in the creation of India as we know it today. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is a prominent personality in the history of our country. Let's take a look at his journey.

"Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonized and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power."

1875: Early years in Gujarat

Born in Nadiad, Gujarat on 31st October, 1875, Patel spent his early years in Karamsad.

1890: Schooling

Vallabhai begins his schooling in Karamsad, a small village in Kheda district of Gujarat.

1892: Marriage

Vallabhbhai was approximately 17 years of age when he married Jhaverba, a girl from the village of Gana, a village 3 miles from Karamsad.  The couple had two children. In 1904, he got a baby daughter Maniben, and in 1905 his son Dahya was born.

1897: Completed matriculation

Completes matriculation from this school in Nadiad at the age of 22.

1900: Start of a successful career in Law

Patel beings his legal practice in Godhra. later, shifted legal practice to Borsad. He achieved rapid success as a lawyer and soon become one of the foremost criminal lawyers.

1910: Start of Barristership in England

At the age of 35 after several hurdles and hiccups, Patel finally leaves for England to fulfill his dream of studying for the barristership exams.

1918: Meeting Gandhi a turning point

Meeting Gandhi was a turning point in the Patel’s life. Gandhi chose Vallabhbhai as his Deputy Commander. Reflecting upon his choice of Patel to lead the Kheda Satyagraha, Ganshi Said, ‘Many were prepared to follow me, but I could not make up my mind as to who should be my deputy commander. Then I thought of Vallabhbhai.’

1923: Elected President of Ahmedabad Municipal Board.

Elected President of the Ahmedabad Municipal Board, Patel takes charge and revamps the drainage, sanitation, cleanliness and water distribution systems of Ahmedabad.

1927: Earned the title ‘Sardar’

Organising a mass peasants protest in Bardoli, Patel catapulted into national fame. It was here that he earned the title 'Sardar'.

1931: Elected President of the Indian National Congress

Just out of jail, in 1931, Patel was elected as the President of the Indian Nation Congress at the Karachi session.

1932-45: Freedom Struggle

1932: Arrested during Civil Disobedience Movement, jailed along with Gandhi

1940 – Arrested for participation in Satyagraha

1942-45: Arrested for participation in Quit India Movement

1947: First Deputy Prime Minister of Free India

Patel becomes the first Deputy Prime Minister as also the first Home Minister of Free India. In what was to become Sardar Patel's most lasting legacy, he took charge of the States Department and was responsible for the accession of 565 princely states into the Union of India. Paying tribute to him, Nehru called Sardar 'the builder and consolidator of new India.'

1950: Sardar Patel's sleep eternal

Sardar Patel took his last breath on 15 December 1950.

1991: Bharat Ratna

He was awarded with the Bharat Ratna in the year 1991 as a tribute to his services to the Nation.

2014: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

The intent is to pay tribute to Patel, who was instrumental in keeping India united. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was introduced by the Government of India and inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014.

2018: Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is a monument dedicated to Patel, located in the Indian state of Gujarat, facing the Narmada Dam, 3.2 km away from Sadhu Bet near Vadodara. At the height of 182 metres (597 feet), it is the world's tallest statue, exceeding the Spring Temple Buddha by 54 meters. It was inaugurated by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, the 143rd anniversary of Patel's birth.