Vallabhbhai Patel
Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel entered the world on the 31st of October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. He was one of six children born to Jhaverbhai Patel and Ladba. His date of birth remained unrecorded officially until he wrote it as the 31st of October on his matriculation examination papers at age 22. Elders viewed him as an unambitious man destined for a commonplace job. He harboured plans to study law, save funds, travel to England, and become a barrister. Years passed while he studied alone using books borrowed from other lawyers. He passed his examinations within two years. He fetched his wife Jhaverba from her parents' home and set up a household in Godhra. The couple had a daughter named Maniben in 1903 and a son named Dahyabhai in 1905. Patel cared for a friend suffering from Bubonic plague when it swept across Gujarat. When he himself contracted the disease, he sent his family to safety immediately. He moved into an isolated house in Nadiad or spent time in a dilapidated temple before recovering slowly. He practised law in Godhra, Borsad, and Anand while managing financial burdens of his homestead in Karamsad. He became the first chairman and founder of Edward Memorial High School in Borsad. A popular anecdote recounts that he lanced his own painful boil without hesitation even as the barber trembled.
In September 1917 Patel delivered a speech in Borsad encouraging Indians nationwide to sign Gandhi's petition demanding Swaraj self-rule from Britain. A month later he met Gandhi for the first time at the Gujarat Political Conference in Godhra. On Gandhi's encouragement Patel became secretary of the Gujarat Sabha. He energetically fought against veth forced servitude of Indians to Europeans. He organised relief efforts in the wake of plague and famine in Kheda. The Kheda peasants' plea for exemption from taxation had been turned down by British authorities. Gandhi endorsed waging a struggle there but could not lead it himself due to activities in Champaran. Patel volunteered when Gandhi asked for a Gujarati activist to devote himself completely to the assignment. His decision was made on the spot though he later said desire came after intense personal contemplation. He realised he would have to abandon his career and material ambitions. Supported by Congress volunteers Narhari Parikh, Mohanlal Pandya, and Abbas Tyabji Patel began a village-by-village tour in Kheda district documenting grievances. He asked villagers for support for a statewide revolt by refusing to pay taxes. When the revolt launched and tax revenue withheld government sent police and intimidation squads to seize property including barn animals and whole farms. Patel organised a network of volunteers to work with individual villages helping them hide valuables and protect themselves against raids. Thousands of activists and farmers were arrested but Patel was not. The revolt evoked sympathy and admiration across India including among pro-British Indian politicians. The government agreed to negotiate with Patel and decided to suspend payment of taxes for a year even scaling back the rate. In 1920 he was elected president of newly formed Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee serving until 1945.
In April 1928 Patel returned to independence struggle from municipal duties in Ahmedabad when Bardoli suffered serious double predicament of famine and steep tax hike. Revenue hike steeper than in Kheda though famine covered large portion of Gujarat. After cross-examining and talking to village representatives emphasising potential hardship and need for non-violence and cohesion Patel initiated struggle with complete denial of taxes. He organised volunteers camps and information network across affected areas. Revenue refusal stronger than in Kheda and many sympathy satyagrahas undertaken across Gujarat. Despite arrests and seizures of property and land struggle intensified. Situation came to head in August when through sympathetic intermediaries he negotiated settlement including repealing tax hike reinstating village officials who had resigned in protest and returning seized property and land. It was by women of Bardoli during struggle and after Indian National Congress victory that Patel first began referred to as Sardar or chief. Supported by Congress volunteers Narhari Parikh, Mohanlal Pandya, and Abbas Tyabji Patel began village-by-village tour documenting grievances. The government agreed to negotiate with Patel and decided to suspend payment of taxes for a year even scaling back rate. In 1920 he was elected president of newly formed Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee serving until 1945.
Vallabhbhai Patel became one of first Congress leaders to accept partition of India as solution to rising Muslim separatist movement led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He had been outraged by Jinnah's Direct Action campaign which provoked communal violence across India. Viceroy Lord Wavell invited Congress to form government under Nehru styled Vice President of Viceroy's Executive Council. Patel took charge departments of home affairs and information and broadcasting. He moved into government house on Aurangzeb Road in Delhi which would be his home until death in 1950. When Lord Louis Mountbatten formally proposed plan on the 3rd of June 1947 Patel gave approval and lobbied Nehru and other Congress leaders to accept proposal. Knowing Gandhi's deep anguish regarding proposals of partition Patel engaged him in frank discussion over practical unworkability of any Congress-League coalition. At All India Congress Committee meeting called to vote on proposal Patel spoke about necessity of accepting reality. After Gandhi rejected and Congress approved plan Patel represented India on Partition Council where he oversaw division of public assets. Neither Patel nor any other Indian leader foreseen intense violence and population transfer that would take place with partition. Death toll estimated at between 500,000 and 1 million people. Estimated number refugees in both countries exceeds 15 million. Patel took lead organising relief and emergency supplies establishing refugee camps visiting border areas with Pakistani leaders to encourage peace. Despite efforts death toll remained high. Patel called out Indian Army with South Indian regiments to restore order imposing strict curfews and shoot-on-sight orders. Visiting Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah area in Delhi where thousands feared attacks he prayed at shrine visited people reinforced presence police. He suppressed from press reports atrocities in Pakistan against Hindus and Sikhs to prevent retaliatory violence.
As first Home Minister Patel played major role integration princely states into Indian federation. This achievement formed cornerstone popularity post-independence era. Under plan the 3rd of June more than 565 princely states given option joining either India or Pakistan choosing independence. Indian nationalists large segments public feared if states did not accede most people territory fragmented. Congress senior British officials considered Patel best man task achieving conquest princely states by Indian dominion. Gandhi said problem of States so difficult you alone can solve it. Patel asked V.P.Menon senior civil servant work on partition India become right-hand man chief secretary States Ministry. On the 6th of August 1947 Patel began lobbying princes attempting make them receptive dialogue future government forestall potential conflicts. He used social meetings unofficial surroundings engage monarchs inviting lunch tea home Delhi. At meetings Patel explained no inherent conflict between Congress princely order. He invoked patriotism India's monarchs asking join independence nation act responsible rulers care future people. He persuaded princes 565 states impossibility independence from Indian republic especially presence growing opposition subjects. He proposed favourable terms merger including creation privy purses rulers descendants. While encouraging rulers act out patriotism Patel did not rule out force. Stressing princes need accede India good faith he set deadline the 15th of August 1947 sign instrument accession document. All but three states willingly merged into Indian union; only Jammu and Kashmir, Junagadh, Hyderabad did not fall basket. Junagadh especially important to Patel since in home state Gujarat. It also important because Kathiawar district ultra-rich Somnath temple plundered Mahmud Ghazni 11th century damaged idols rob riches emeralds diamonds gold. Under pressure Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Nawab acceded Pakistan quite far from Pakistan 80% population Hindu. Patel combined diplomacy force demanding Pakistan annul accession Nawab accede India. He sent Army occupy three principalities Junagadh show resolve. Following widespread protests formation civil government Aarzi Hukumat both Bhutto Nawab fled Karachi under Patel orders Indian Army police units marched state. Plebiscite organised later produced 99.5% vote merger India.
Patel instrumental founding Indian Administrative Service Indian Police Service defence Indian civil servants political attack known patron saint India's services. When delegation Gujarati farmers came citing inability send milk production markets fleeced intermediaries Patel exhorted organise processing sale milk themselves guided create Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Limited preceding Amul milk products brand. He pledged reconstruction ancient dilapidated Somnath Temple Saurashtra oversaw restoration work creation public trust dedicated temple completion work completed after death inaugurated first President India Dr.Rajendra Prasad. In his address probationers All India Services he asked guided spirit service day-to-day administration. He reminded ICS no-longer Imperial nor civil nor imbued any spirit service after Independence. Exhortation maintain utmost impartiality incorruptibility administration relevant today as then. Civil servant cannot afford take part politics Nor must involve himself communal wrangles. Depart path rectitude either respects debases public service lower dignity cautioned the 21st of April 1947. More than anyone else post-independence India emphasised crucial role civil services play administering country not merely maintaining law order upholding institutions provide binding cement society. Aware needs sound stable administrative structure lynchpin functioning polity present-day all-India administrative services owe origin principles foresight regarded Father modern All India Services.
Patel health declined rapidly through summer 1949 began coughing blood Maniben limited meetings working hours arranged personalised medical staff attend Patel. Then Chief Minister West Bengal Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy heard Patel make jokes impending end private meeting admitted ministerial colleague N V Gadgil not going live much longer. Health worsened after the 2nd of November when began losing consciousness frequently confined bed. Flown Bombay the 12th of December on advice Dr Roy recuperate condition deemed critical. Nehru Rajagopalachari Rajendra Prasad Menon came see off airport Delhi. Extremely weak had carried aircraft chair. Large crowds gathered Santacruz Airport greet him spare stress aircraft landed Juhu Aerodrome where Chief Minister B G Kher Morarji Desai present receive car belonging Governor Bombay took Vallabhbhai Birla House. After suffering massive heart attack second died the 15th of December 1950 Birla House Bombay. Unprecedented unrepeated gesture day death more than 1,500 officers India civil police services congregated mourn residence Delhi pledged complete loyalty unremitting zeal India service. Numerous governments world leaders sent messages condolence including Trygve Lie Secretary-General United Nations President Sukarno Indonesia Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan Pakistan Prime Minister Clement Attlee United Kingdom. In homage Patel Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared week national mourning. Cremation planned Girgaum Chowpatty changed Sonapur now Marine Lines daughter conveyed wish cremated common man same place wife brother earlier cremated. Cremation Sonapur Bombay attended crowd one million including Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Rajagopalachari President Rajendra Prasad. Patel posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna India highest civilian honour 1991. Announced 2014 birthday the 31st of October annual national celebration known Rashtriya Ekta Diwas National Unity Day. In 2012 ranked third Outlook India poll Greatest Indian.
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Common questions
When was Vallabhbhai Patel born and where did he enter the world?
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.
What major struggle did Vallabhbhai Patel lead in Bardoli during April 1928?
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.
How did Vallabhbhai Patel handle the partition of India when Lord Louis Mountbatten proposed the plan on the 3rd of June 1947?
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.
Which princely states refused to merge into Indian union under Vallabhbhai Patel leadership by the 15th of August 1947 deadline?
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.
When did Vallabhbhai Patel die and what happened at his cremation ceremony?
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.