Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel- Country is Celebrating National Unity Day

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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, often referred to as the “Iron Man of India,” was a prominent Indian statesman and one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India. He was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, a town in the western Indian state of Gujarat, and he passed away on December 15, 1950.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Unity Day

National Unity Day, observed on October 31st, commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a visionary leader and a key architect of modern India. This day pays tribute to his remarkable contribution to India’s unity and integrity. Sardar Patel’s tireless efforts in integrating the princely states into the newly independent nation and his commitment to a united India serve as a source of inspiration for all Indians.

On National Unity Day, people across the country engage in various activities and events that promote national integration and a sense of oneness among the diverse communities of India. It is a day to reflect on the importance of unity, peace, and harmony, echoing the principles and values that Sardar Patel upheld throughout his life.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti date 2023

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti in 2023 is on October 31st, celebrating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a key figure in Indian history known for his efforts in uniting the nation. The day is marked with various events and activities that honor his legacy and emphasize the importance of national unity. Patel’s role in integrating princely states and his commitment to a united India make this day a significant occasion for reflection and inspiration.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Biography

Birth: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the “Iron Man of India,” was born on 31 October 1875, in Nadiad village in present-day Gujarat.
- Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the six children of Jhaverbhai Patel and Ladba.
Education: Sardar Patel passed out from the Middle School at Karamsad and went to the High School at Nadiad, from where he matriculated in 1897.
- Sardar Patel matriculated at 22 and passed the district pleader’s examination, which enabled him to practice law.
Marriage: Sardar Patel was married at the age of 16 to Zaverbai. She died early in 1909 after an operation for some abdominal malady.
Career: In 1900 he set up an independent office of district pleader in Godhra, and two years later he moved to Borsad.
- As a lawyer, Patel distinguished himself in presenting an unassailable case in a precise manner and in challenging police witnesses and British judges.
- Patel traveled to London in August 1910 to study at the Middle Temple. There he studied diligently and passed the final examinations with high honours.
- On his return to India in 1913, Sardar Patel set up practice in Ahmedabad and made a great success of it.
Death: Sardar Patel died in Bombay of a massive heart attack on 15 December 1950 aged 75.
National Honours: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary has been observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) since 2014.
Iron Man of India: Sardar Patel is also known as the Iron Man of India because of his strong views on the union of princely states into one nation, his good attitude toward women’s emancipation, and his active participation in shaping India into what it is now.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel- Early Political Career

Connection with Gandhi: In Ahmedabad, he met Mahatma Gandhi and after a couple of meetings, came under his spell. He became an ardent follower of Gandhi and started being involved in political work.
- He accepted Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership, having been tremendously impressed by the fearless lead that Mahatma Gandhi gave to right public wrongs.
Exposure to Public Life: In 1917 he was elected for the first time as the Sanitation Commissioner of Ahmedabad.
- From 1924 to 1928 he was Chairman of the Municipal Committee.
- The years of his association with the Municipal administration were marked by much meaningful work for the improvement of civic life.
- There were also calamities like the plague in 1917 and famine in 1918, and on both occasions, Vallabhbhai did important work to relieve distress.
- In 1917 he was elected Secretary of the Gujarat Sabha, a political body which was of great assistance to Gandhiji in his campaigns.
Kheda Satyagraha: The association with Mahatma Gandhi became closer during the Kheda Satyagraha in 1918, which was launched to secure exemption from payment of the land revenue assessment since the crops had failed.
- It took three months of intense campaigning that was marked by arrests, seizures of goods, chattels, livestock, and much official brutality before relief was secured from an unwilling Colonial Government.
Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movement: Vallabhbhai left his practice for good and gave himself up wholly to political and constructive work, touring villages, addressing meetings, and organizing picketing of foreign cloth shops and liquor shops.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Key Points

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Key points about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel are provided below.

Independence Movement: Patel played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. He was a staunch supporter of Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, actively participating in various civil disobedience movements and protests.
Unity and Integration: One of Patel’s most remarkable achievements was his pivotal role in the integration of princely states into the newly independent India. His diplomatic skills and leadership helped unite more than 560 princely states into a single nation, ensuring the territorial integrity of India.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister: After India gained independence in 1947, Sardar Patel served as the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Home Affairs. He played a crucial role in organizing the government and maintaining law and order during a tumultuous period.
Architect of Modern Administrative Framework: Patel was instrumental in establishing a strong and unified administrative system in India, which formed the foundation of the country’s governance structure. He is often regarded as the chief architect of India’s civil services and administrative machinery.
Legacy: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contributions to the nation are celebrated with the annual observance of “National Unity Day” on his birthday, October 31. The colossal “Statue of Unity,” dedicated to him, is the world’s tallest statue and a prominent landmark in India.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s unwavering commitment to India’s unity and his tireless efforts in shaping the nation’s destiny make him a revered figure in Indian history. His legacy as the “Iron Man of India” lives on, and his contributions continue to inspire generations of Indians.

Bardoli Satyagraha under Leadership of Sardar Patel

The occasion for the Satyagraha was the Government’s decision to increase the assessment of land revenue from Bardoli taluka by 22 percent and in some villages by as much as 50 to 60 percent.
Having failed to secure redress by other means, the agriculturists of the taluka decided at a Conference on February 12, 1928, to withhold payment of land revenue under the leadership of Vallabhbhai Patel.
The Government had to ultimately bow before popular resolve and an inquiry was instituted to find out to what extent the increase was justified and the realization of the increased revenue was postponed.
It was a triumph not only for the 80,000 peasants of Bardoli but more particularly for Vallabhbhai personally; he was given the title of “Sardar” by the nation.

Sardar Patel’s Participation in the Indian Freedom Struggle Movement

Demand for Poorna Swaraj: With the declaration of Poorna Swaraj as the goal of Congress in 1929, Sardar Patel became more active along with many other political leaders like Subhash Chand Bose and Jawahar Lal Nehru.
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM): Sardar Patel actively participated in the civil disobedience Movement and was arrested during the Dandi March (1930).
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was chosen President of the INC in Karachi in 1931.
- In 1932, he was arrested once more.
Quit India Movement: he backed the Quit India Movement and urged people to fight the British Government to free India from its clutches.
- Sardar Patel was imprisoned, along with all other significant national leaders, and was only liberated in June 1945.

Role of Sardar Patel in Integration of Princely States

Sardar Patel served as India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, and his pivotal role in unifying 565 princely states into the Indian Union is widely recognized. Despite several princely states like Travancore, Hyderabad, Junagadh, Bhopal, and Kashmir initially declining to join India, Patel tirelessly engaged in negotiations with them. When peaceful means failed to secure their integration into the Indian Union, he did not hesitate to employ “Sama” (conciliation), “Dama” (persuasion), “Dand” (force), and “Bhed” (division).

In certain cases, particularly with the princely states of Junagadh and Hyderabad, where the Nawab and Nizam respectively resisted joining India, Patel resorted to the use of police force to ensure their integration. His unwavering determination and pragmatic approach played a crucial role in preventing the division of India and successfully integrating numerous small and significant princely states within the former British Indian territory.

Subhas Chandra Bose- Statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to be installed at India Gate

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel- Relevance for UPSC Exam

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Sardar Patel is an important historical figure who is known for his major contribution to the Indian Freedom Struggle and the Integration of various States into the Indian Union. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is important for UPSC Prelims Exam (Indian Freedom Struggle) and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 1- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues).