Vallabhbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950) was a major political and social leader of India and its struggle for independence, and is credited for achieving the political integration of India. In India and across the world, he is known as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, where Sardar stands for Chief in many languages of India.
When the British finally left, they left behind India, Pakistan, and over 562 princely states in the territory colonized by them over nearly 200 years. All princely states were given the option of either joining India, Pakistan, or remaining independent. While most states including Bikaner and Baroda were quick to join the Union of India. Others like Kashmir and Manipur were indecisive for months.
It was Sardar Patel who convinced 559 of 562 princely states to join the Union of India. He did so with pure persuasion and statesmanship – a stupendous task achieved without any bloodshed, with no parallel in recorded history. Only three states; Jammu & Kashmir, Junagadh, and Hyderabad did not willingly merge into the Union of India.
‘History’ said Nehru speaking about Sardar Patel, would ‘call him the builder and consolidator of the new India.’
An iron will and nerves of steel earned Sardar the title of “Iron Man”. The following anecdote, more than any other, throws light on why Patel was honoured with that unusual title. In the midst of his arguments in a court in Anand in 1909, Patel received a telegram informing him that his wife was no more. Putting away the telegram in his pocket and taking a few moments to collect himself, Patel nevertheless continued with the cross-examination of a key witness in the case.
It was only after the proceedings of the day were completed that Patel revealed the bitter contents of the telegram to everybody’s shock. Patel’s client had been accused of a murder charge. He would not allow his own grief to come in the way of his client’s life. His client was acquitted in the case. For this steely determination he has been referred as the “Iron Man of India”.
