Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Biography, Facts (Bonus Quiz!)

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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel is famously known as Vallabhbhai Patel or Sardar Patel. He was India’s first deputy Prime Minister and also served as the Home Minister of India from 1947 to 1950. Furthermore, Sardar Vallabhai Patel made significant contributions as an Indian Nationalist before independence and is known as one of the most prominent freedom fighters to date. Read on to know more about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel!

Full Name Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel
Famous asSardar Patel or Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Date Of BirthOctober 31st, 1875
Place of BirthNadiad, under Bombay Presidency in British India, present-day Gujarat
Awards ReceivedBharat Ratna, 1991
Career RolesBarrister, Indian Freedom fighter, Politician and Political Activist
Political CareerFirst Deputy Prime Minister of India, Indian National Congress 
Date of DeathDecember 15, 1950 
Place of DeathBombay, present-day Mumbai; Age 75
Details of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Who was the Iron Man of India?

This great Indian leader was born in the Leva Patidar caste on the 31st of October 1875. Moreover, his family had a well-established landlordship. Additionally, Sardar Vallabhai Patel did attend schools like Karamasad and Petlad for early education but was mainly self-taught. 

Also Read: Jawaharlal Nehru: Secular Architect of Modern India

Vallabhbhai Patel was married at the age of 16. He completed his matriculation at the age of 22. Also, after passing the district pleader’s exam, he stepped in to practice law. As a lawyer, this young Indian fiercely challenged the police witnesses and British judges to present his case. 

In August 1910, he went to Middle Temple London to enhance his knowledge of Law. He returned to India in 1913 and practised law in Ahmedabad as a famous barrister unaware of Indian political activities.  

Sardar vallabhbhai patel
Source: Indian National Congress

Career of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

In 1917 Patel was elected as the Sanitation Commissioner of Ahmedabad.

  • It was in this year that he became familiar with and rather swooned by Mahatma Gandhi and his principles of Independence.
  • During the Kheda Satyagraha in 1918, his affiliation with Mahatma Gandhi deepened.
  • As the Rowlatt Act followed this, there was much to contribute to the freedom struggle.

Hence, Vallabhbhai Patel left his law practice to join various movements such as the Non-Co-operation movement, Bardoli Satyagraha, and the Indian National Movement

Statue of Unity
Statue of Unity.

What was his Role in India’s National Movement?

The Indian National Movement busied Sardar Vallabhai Patel with a series of activities. The arrangements for the congress-declared motto of Purna Swaraj had to be made. Furthermore, there was also the boycott of the Simon Commission during this time and the great Salt Satyagrah organized by Gandhi ji. 

Sardar Vallabhai Patel and other freedom fighters were central to the whole movement. In fact, he was the first National Leader to be arrested during the Salt Satyagraha, although he had not directly breached any salt law. Moreover, he also presided over the 46th INC session to rectify the Gandhi-Irwin pact

Also Read: Indian Independence Act 1947: History, Features, PDF, Repeal of the Act

It led to the participation of Congress in the Round-Table Conference. Moreover, he was jailed along with Gandhiji for 16 months after the conference failed. 

Additionally, he was the president of the Congress Parliamentary Sub-Committee at the time of the provincial elections in 1935. Thus, after the declaration of war on the part of India by the British and the Quit India movement, this great leader was again detained on August 9, 1942.  

Sardar Vallabhai Patel with Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

What was Patel’s Role Post India’s Independence?

After the war, as the constitutional solution for India’s governance was being figured out, Sardar Vallabhai Patel was part of many Congress meetings as a chief negotiator.

  • Moreover, he became the Deputy Prime Minister after independence and looked over Home and States affairs and the Information and Broadcasting portfolios.
  • He was part of discussions on the integration of states into the Union of India.
  • Additionally, his expertise brought down the number of Princely States from 562 to 26 administrative units and set up a democracy for the Indians.
  • Became the Minister of Home Affairs and looked over the matters expertly.
  • Furthermore, he even took over to maintain law and order after the partition of India dealing with the rehabilitation of the refugees. 

Quiz on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Results

#1. Which movement did Sardar Patel participate in?

#2. Where was Sardar Patel born?

#3. Who was Sardar Vallabhai Patel?

Finish
Source: Suresh Sir LTX Classes

FAQs

What is Sardar Patel famous for?

He was part of discussions on the integration of states into the Union of India. His expertise brought down the number of Princely States from 562 to 26 administrative units and set up a democracy for the Indians. His commitment and persistence towards the integration of states into the Union of India earned him the title ‘the Iron Man of India’.

Why is Sardar Vallabhbhai called Iron Man?

His commitment and persistence towards the integration of states into the Union of India earned him the title ‘the Iron Man of India’. He used his sternness and expertise to convince 562 princely states to integrate into 26 administrative units and set up a democracy for the Indians.

Who gave the title Sardar?

The title Sardar was conferred to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by Mahatma Gandhi.

Relevant Blogs

Dr. B.R AmbedkarBal Gangadhar Tilak
Dr. Rajendra PrasadThird Round Table Conference
The Government of India Act 1919Kiran Bedi
Morley-Minto ReformsSecond Round Table Conference
Bengal PartitionStatue of Unity

For more such information on Indian History and more topics of General Knowledge, stay tuned with us. 

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