Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel birth anniversary: Remembering the Iron Man Of India | Sardar Patel Jayanti 2022, National Unity Day

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel birth anniversary: If we Indians are able to travel freely today throughout the stunning and abundant lands of India--from Kutch to Kohima and Kargil to Kanyakumari, it is because of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He is often referred to as Unifier of the Nation or The Iron Man of India for his tactics that aided in the political unification of the country as well as the orderly incorporation of over 500 princely states.

Every year on October 31, National Unity Day is observed. This day commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel birth anniversary. During the first three years of Indian Independence, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs. He also held several other portfolios.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31 October in Nadiad, Gujrat. During the Indian freedom movement, he was one of the nation's foremost figures.

He attained the title 'Sardar' which means 'chief or leader' in Gujarati and most other Indian languages, at the Gujarati Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928. In India's Independence Movement, the Bardoli Satyagraha is seen as a pivotal instance of civil disobedience and revolt. Between 1930 and 1945, Sardar Patel was detained about ten times as a result of his opinions and deeds.

Patel played a key role in unifying and giving shape to the Indian Union. He brought the princely states under the Union of India.

Before India achieved independence, India had around 565 princely states and the Congress had a big challenge of persuading them for peaceful merger with India. Sardar Patel was the man who took the responsibility and successfully executed it.

He used all the tricks in the book. He was polite to those who were reasonable and willing to play ball. He was tough with those who were reluctant and had their own designs. He did not hesitate in sending army wherever it was necessary.

‘Stick and carrot' policy of Patel paid off handsomely and all but three of princely states willingly merged with India. The three states were – Junagadh, Hyderabad and Jammu and Kashmir.

Junagadh was a very interesting case as more than 80 per cent of the population consisted of Hindus and the Nawab was a Muslim. The Nawab wanted to merge Junagadh with Pakistan against the will of the people and this was completely unacceptable to Patel. Patel asked Pakistan to annul the accession and told the Nawab to merge with India. To make his message loud and clear, Patel combined diplomacy with force and the Indian Army captured Junagadh. A plebiscite was conducted later and 99.5 per cent decided to merge with India.

Similar was the case with Hyderabad where more than 80 per cent of people were Hindu and the Nizam was a Muslim. He wanted either independence or accession to Pakistan.

Razakars, Muslim forces loyal to Nizam, persecuted those who were willing to merge with India. Sardar Patel took military action to facilitate Hyderabad's merger.

In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, then PM Jawahar Lal Nehru did not listen to Patel's advice and went to the UNSC. Nehru's decision proved to be a historic blunder and India is still paying the price.

If Nehru had listened to Patel, Jammu and Kashmir issue would have been resolved on the lines of Junagadh and Hyderabad.

Very few people know that Patel was one of the primary people involved in drafting the Constitution of India.

Sadar Vallabhbhai Patel Death

Patel passed away on December 15, 1950, at Birla House in Bombay (modern-day Mumbai). Posthumously, he received India's highest civilian honour, the "Bharat Ratna" in 1991.

Statue of Unity
 

Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue with a height of 182 metres (597 feet), is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Pate. The statue is located in Narmada Valley Kevadiya of Narmada district in Gujarat.

Statue of Unity: Everything you need to know about the world's 'tallest statue' on National Unity Day | Photos