Short answers, pulled from the story.
Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel entered the world on the 31st of October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. His date of birth remained unrecorded officially until he wrote it as the 31st of October on his matriculation examination papers at age 22.
Patel initiated a struggle with complete denial of taxes against a steep tax hike and famine that affected Bardoli. He negotiated a settlement in August which included repealing the tax hike, reinstating village officials who had resigned in protest, and returning seized property and land to the farmers.
Vallabhbhai Patel gave approval for the plan and lobbied Nehru and other Congress leaders to accept the proposal despite Gandhi's deep anguish regarding the proposals of partition. He represented India on Partition Council where he oversaw division of public assets and took lead organizing relief and emergency supplies while establishing refugee camps.
All but three states willingly merged into Indian union; only Jammu and Kashmir, Junagadh, and Hyderabad did not fall into the basket. The state of Junagadh was especially important to Patel since it is in his home state Gujarat and had an ultra-rich Somnath temple plundered by Mahmud Ghazni in the 11th century.
Patel died the 15th of December 1950 after suffering a massive heart attack second time at Birla House Bombay. His cremation at Sonapur now Marine Lines was attended by a crowd one million including Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Rajagopalachari President Rajendra Prasad.