LONG ESSAY ON SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL – ESSAY 3 (800 WORDS)

LONG ESSAY ON SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL – ESSAY 3 

Introduction

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as iron man of India held the posts of first deputy Prime Minister, first Minister of Home Affairs and first Commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces of India, in office from 15thAugust 1947 to 15th December 1950. He was also a successful barrister and a senior leader and 49th President of the Indian National Congress. Vallabhbhai’s contribution in the freedom struggle as well as in India’s integration post independence was immense. The united India that we have today could be attributed to the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

After India gained freedom, he was instrumental in persuading all the princely states to accede to India, often threatening them with military action when needed. This uncompromising attitude for an integrated India has earned him the title of “Iron Man of India”. On 31st October 2018, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated a colossal statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, called the “Statue of Unity”, in the state of Gujarat India.

Ambition and Education

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born as Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, on 31st October 1875. His father was Jhaverbhai Patel and his mother was Laad Bai. Sardar Patel was a mediocre student; though, he developed a philosophical attitude, since his childhood. He cleared his matriculation at a late age of 22 years and was considered as unambitious and someone who is fit only for a mediocre job.

This however, wasn’t exactly the case as Vallabhbhai nurtured a dream of studying law from England and become a successful barrister. Thus, he pursued his studies, by borrowing books from other lawyers and passed the examination within two years. Subsequently, he was called to bar and settled down in Godhara, Gujarat with his wife Jhaverbaben Patel.

It took him many years of successful practice as a lawyer and saving money, at the same time dispensing his family’s financial obligations, before he had enough money to travel to England to become a barrister.

Sardar Patel applied for a pass and a ticket to England in the name of V.J. Patel and the correspondence was addressed to his brother, who also had the same initials. However, a surprise awaited him as his elder brother declared that he had also nurtured a dream of studying in England and if he follows on the footsteps of his younger brother, it would bring bad name to the family’s reputation. Such was the level of sacrifice of Sardar Patel for his family, that he let his elder brother go to England and continued his practice in Godhara.

Not before he was aged 36, that Sardar Patel again got a chance to travel to England and study in the Temple Inn in London, completing a 36 months course in 30 months. He returned and settled in Ahmadabad, becoming the city’s most successful barrister. At this stage, Sardar Patel had no political ambitions and only thought of amassing wealth practicing as a barrister and giving best education to his children – daughter named Maniben Patel and son named Dahyabhai Patel.

Political Activism

Vallabhbhai Patel was elected as the sanitation commissioner of Ahmadabad in 1917. Though, he confronted the British Officials on several civic issues, he never showed keen interest in politics. Things began to change after Patel met Mahatma Gandhi in person in October 1917. On the insistence of Gandhi, Patel became the secretary of Gujarat Sabha, which was the Gujarat arm of Indian National Congress. From there began Patel’s journey for the freedom struggle; fighting for the rights of peasants, farmers and supporting reforms like Satyagraha and Quit India Movement.

Post Independence

Sardar Patel played a prominent role in the integration of India after independence. He persuaded Jawaharlal Nehru and other senior congress leaders to accept the Cabinet Mission Plan of 16th May 1946, which proposed the partition of India of religious grounds. Patel knew that rejecting the plan would mean that the Muslim league will be called for forming the government. The government was finally formed under the Prime Ministership of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel as the Minister of Home Affairs and Information and Broadcasting. Patel took a lead in dividing public assets in the partition of India.

In the ensuing violence following the partition of India, Patel travelled extensively to refugee camps and border areas in order to subdue the riots.

Sardar Patel was one of the three leaders who led India from 1948 to 1950, the other two being Governor General of India – Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Statue of Unity

The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated a colossal statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat on 31st October 2018. It is named the “Statue of Unity” and is located on a river island facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam, 100 Kms southeast of Vadodara.

Conclusion

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a man of distinguished resolve and determination. He also had a foresight which is only a trait of good political leaders. Without his contributions, the India that we have today would have been a distant dream.

SARDAR VALLABH BHAI PATEL ESSAY 2 (400 WORDS)

SARDAR VALLABH BHAI PATEL ESSAY 2 

Introduction

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was one of the most prominent leaders during the Indian freedom struggle. He played a significant role in driving the British out of the country.

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel’s Early Life

Vallabh Bhai Patel was born on the 31st of October, 1875. He was born in a Patel family in Nadiad Village, Bombay Presidency that now forms a part of the Indian state of Gujarat. His father Zaverbhai Patel was a part of the army of Queen of Jhansi. His mother, Ladbai was spiritually inclined. Patel was given good values and raised to be a gentleman.

He completed his matriculation when he was 22 years old that is at an age when he should ideally have graduated. This is the reason why no one thought he would do very well professionally. It was believed that he would settle for an ordinary job. However, he proved everyone wrong as he pursued the law degree. He later went on to study law in London and acquired the position of a barrister.

Participation in Freedom Struggle

While Vallabh Bhai Patel was practicing law in Ahemdabad, he attended a lecture by Mahatma Gandhi whose words had a profound impact on him. He admired Gandhiji for his ideologies and soon followed the same. He had always opposed the British government and its stern laws. His belief in Gandhi ji’s ideologies and detest for the British government led him to dive in the Indian struggle for independence.

He was a born leader and his dedication towards what he believed strongly was quite evident. These qualities helped him acquire the position of the Secretary of the Gujarat wing of the Indian National Congress in the year 1917.

Unhappy with the tyranny of the British, he led a No Tax Campaign against the government. He asked the farmers not to pay taxes as the government demanded taxes from them post the Kaira floods. As Sardar Patel believed in the Gandhian ideologies, the movement led by him was non-violent. However, it had the impact he intended. The British government finally returned the farmers’ land it had seized. The successful completion of this movement also gave him the title of Sardar.

Then, there was no stopping for Sardar Patel. He actively participated in various freedom movements and led many others.

Conclusion

A barrister by profession, Patel left his flourishing career to join the struggle for India’s independence. He became actively involved in the freedom movements and gave his heart and soul to it.

SARDAR VALLABH BHAI PATEL ESSAY 1 (200 WORDS)

SARDAR VALLABH BHAI PATEL ESSAY 1 

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was one of the prominent leaders of his time. He was actively involved in India’s freedom struggle. Patel was deeply influenced by the Gandhian ideologies and followed the path of non-violence. He supported various freedom movements including the Non-Cooperation Movement, Satyagrah Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. He did not only participate in these movements but also brought large number of people together to participate in the same.

He went around India with Mahatma Gandhi and helped collect more than 1.5 million and recruit 300,000 members. He was known for his hard working nature ever since he was a child. During childhood, he toiled the land with his father who was a farmer. He worked hard to attain the law degree and studied dedicatedly to become a barrister. His hard work and dedication towards freeing the country from the clutches of the British government was also quite evident. He gave his heart and soul for the cause. He worked in association with various Congress Party officials to further this aim.

He was given the title of Sardar because of the impeccable leadership qualities he possessed. He was indeed one of the most popular leaders. A number of monuments and institutes have been built in his memory. These include the Sardar Patel University, Gujarat, Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, New Delhi, Sardar Vallabh Bhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, Sardar Patel Memorial Trust, Sardar Sarovar Dam, Gujarat and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad.

We salute this great leader!