Sardar Patel’s Vision: Building a Strong and United India 1500 Words
Sardar Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. He is often referred to as the “Iron Man of India” for his strength and tenacity toward unifying India.
He was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, who later became the first Deputy Prime Minister of India and Minister of Home Affairs after the independence.
Patel is an epitome of uniting over 560 princely states to come out as one whole and undivided India, so the state cannot be divided here after.
Background Life and Education
Sardar Patel was born in a very poor family; at tender age, Vallabhbhai Patel did possess practical character that showed exceptional strength within him.
Education gained within the region, the bachelor in law and Barrister Patel served his practicing legal career at Godhra; eventually at Ahmedabad.
His judicial experiences taught him the art of negotiation and persuasion that later would help him in his political career.
Influence of Mahatma Gandhi
Vallabhbhai Patel was highly inspired by the principles and philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi. He was very much influenced by the non-violent philosophy of Gandhi though initially he was more aligned with a Western aggressive approach to independence.
Gandhi molded Patel’s views toward their cause, and it became one of the strict adherents to Gandhi’s notions of non-violent civil disobedience.
With increased cordiality between him and Gandhi, both along with their stance complemented each other which helped the independence movement because at times Patel acted to his best as a devoted subaltern to Gandhi.,
Contribution towards India’s Independence Movement
In the year 1917 Patel enrolled himself in the INC which raised him step by step.
A prominent leader during the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920–1922, he would mobilize peasants and farmers to resist British unjust tax policies.
He led mass protests under the Civil Disobedience Movement of the 1930s, asking people to resist British-imposed taxes and boycott British goods.
Sardar Patel led the Quit India Movement of 1942 very aggressively and was jailed multiple times by the British for his extreme involvement during such movements, which turned him into a national icon.5. Bardoli Satyagraha and ‘Sardar’ Name
Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928 really summed up Patel’s career. He earned the prestigious title of “Sardar” that means leader after this movement.
With it, Sardar Patel was to lead the movement at Bardoli, Gujarat against the hike of 22% that the British enforced on peasants. Months later, continuous protest led to a repeal of the increase by the British, in turn going down in the history as a major win for farmers in India, with Patel emerging as their crusader.
Contribution towards Constituent Assembly and Indian Constitution
An integral constituent member of the Indian Constituent Assembly after Indian Independence.
He played a notable part in designing the countries governance and administration systems having regards for Indian unity
Supporting the central form of the government to resist divisions, Sardar Patel was urging central government which was showing as he desired a unit India.
Reunion attempts of India
The biggest achievements by Patel were the integration of India’s princely states following independence.
There existed almost 562 princely states, and all the princely states were granted permission to either join India, Pakistan, or continue remaining independent.
Sardar Patel, along with V. P. Menon, negotiated and cajoled the rulers into accepting integration with India through diplomatic means, but if they did not, Patel and his team were severe as well.
This act ended the threat of the division of India and formed a basis for the modern, integrated Indian nation.
Annexation of Hyderabad and Junagadh
Hyderabad and Junagadh were the states that did not want to merge with India.
Hyderabad:-
The Nizam of Hyderabad wanted to become a free state though the state was surrounded by the land in Indian territory. Patel successfully conducted Operation Polo, which was a police operation merged Hyderabad into India within no time in 1948.
Junagadh was a state under Muslim ruler, who even after the Hindus were in a majority in that place wanted to join Pakistan. This situation Sardar Patel diplomatically handled by making a plebiscite and eventually merged Junagadh into India.
Qualities of the Leader
Sardar Patel was a very alert person and pragmatic in every respect, and he was a man of great responsibility.
Leadership qualities of Sardar Patel were determined, foresightful, and decisive.
He was a diplomat, hence the toughness could be balanced with persuasion, and therefore compliance was achieved without bloodshed in most situations.
He was sympathetic towards the common man and would always promote the cause of the weaker section of society.
Role as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister
He played a very crucial role in setting up the administrative structure of newly independent India when he was acting as the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
He established the Indian Administrative Service in place of ICS so that the country had a body of trained officers.
He also emphasized that an integrated civil services machinery should be developed so that the administration of a newly united nation is streamlined.
His policies brought law and order to the entire nation, and his government was firm on separatist movements.
Legacy and Commemoration
The Patel legacy is a leader who personified commitment, patriotism, and a unification of a different country.
The Statue of Unity was unveiled in 2018 and stands out as the tallest statue in the world at 182 meters and speaks to Patel’s monumental contribution to India.
In India, his birthday anniversary, that is, October 31 is commemorated as National Unity Day to promote his ideology of unity, strength, and patriotism.
Personal Life and Character
Sardar Patel was characterized by simplicity and a plain lifestyle; he lived simply and did not have any airs about himself since the whole life was for the country, not personal.
He cared for his family and they respected him, but the country and work always took him away from them.
He lived by integrity and honesty and preached self-reliance and way of life that matched these ideals.
Philosophy and Vision
Sardar Patel had envisioned an India free from colonial exploitation, self-governance, and economic independence.
He believed national integration and economic self-sufficiency are the two twin pillars of a mighty and free nation.
He was an ardent votary for communal harmony, which provided the very bed of approach for progress to be established in a diversified nature of a country like India.
In Comparison to Other Leaders
He was often compared with the other key leaders who approached issues pragmatically and decisively; there he contrasted with Nehru’s idealism about everything.
While Nehru is busy with his approach toward diplomacy internationally and towards modernization, Patel laboured hard for consolidation and stabilizing India within its shores.
Sardar Patel being the security agent complimented Nehru’s vision that there is progressive India in his efforts for unison and harmony among the administration. Therefore, both of them are necessary in constructing the nation.
Patel’s Role in Modern India: Importance of Patel’s Achievements
Efforts of Sardar Patel have paved the way for integrating unification for the nation leaving behind a strong basis.
Patel’s efforts to establish a strong government and administration have molded Indian politics and bureaucracy.
Patel as the unifier of India is a huge power that gives a sense of oneness in the nation against regional and linguistic differences.
Quotations by and about Sardar Patel
Sardar Patel on Integration:-
“Manpower without integration is not a strength except it harmonized and integrated properly, then it is a spiritual power”.
On Leadership:-
“Faith is of no evil in the absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work.”
Mahatma Gandhi on Patel:-
Gandhi has referred to Patel as his “right arm.” This speaks volumes as to how important Patel was for the freedom movement and subsequent integration after freedom.
Conclusion: The Iron Man of India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is one among the many heroes whom successive generations of Indians find inspiration.
The “Iron Man” is the sobriquet Patel, for this was the strength and fearlessness that Patel put forth while shaping the modern Indian State that we are blessed to see today.
His constant input into Indian integration, administration, and national security personifies all the qualities of great leadership and integrity and of the citizen.
Continued Relevance and Continuing Influence in the Modern-Day India
The relevance of Patel’s work in bringing unification to the entire nation depends on its ability to sustain regional identities against a uniformed presentation
His thoughts and commitment remind one on how a great incorruptible leader makes stable and progressive prosperity of a nation possible.
Such an era of transformation in world politics, the life of Patel reminds the world and India of unity and national strength.
Also Read:- Chains Broken: The Unyielding Spirit of Peasant Movements Through Time 19th Century