The iron man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31st, 1875 in a Gujarati village Nadiad. He was born in a Guajarati family hailing from Leva Patel community. His father, Jhaverbhai Patel was a farmer and owned a homestead while his mother Laad Bai was a simple lady. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had three elder brothers, a younger brother and a sister. He lived with his family in Karamsad under the Bombay Presidency and helped his farmer in farming. He travelled to various places including Borsad, Petlad and Nadiad to attend schools. He passed his matriculation examination when he was 22 years of age. Patel wanted to study law and also aspired to go to England to become a barrister. He passed his law examination in two years. He was married at the age of 18 to Jhaverba. But his wife passed away in 1909 due to cancer. Patel, at the age of 36, went to England to complete the barrister course and returned India in 30 months after completing the course. He settled in Ahmadabad after returning from England and continued his practice.

He was successfully practising law when he first got inspired by the philosophy and work of Mahatma Gandhi. He joined the independence movement and came out as one of the most influential freedom leaders of Gujarat. He was a statesman, an Indian barrister and one of the founding fathers of Indian Republic. He also led the Indian National Congress.

Fighting for Independence

While practising in Ahmadabad, Sardar Patel started becoming aware about the problems of people, local life and activities. Around 1915, he came in the contact of Gandhi ji during a lecture and was influenced with his philosophy and the contribution he was putting in for the independence of the country. He then started participation in the freedom movements and also got elected in Municipal Corporation elections in 1917. When the British government declared the confiscation of all the lands of the farmers, he worked against it and forced the government to change the rules. When he brought together all the farmers, they gave him the title of Sardar (which means the leader).

As the government considered him a threat, they imprisoned him several times for his anti-government lectures. With his political foresight and great wisdom, he consolidated all the small kingdoms in India including the Nawab of Junagarh and Nizam of Hyderabad. His untiring efforts brought success for the nation and a title for him - The Iron man of India.

Visit the Land of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Truly, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became immortal and Gujarat has still preserved his memories in an astonishing manner. Patel, the man of steel, is the hero of Gujarat. Patel is the namesake for several public institutions not only in Gujarat but in entire country.

If you are truly inspired by this hero and aspire to learn more about him, you must visit Gujarat, where the state has preserved numerous memories of him.

If you plan to see Gujarat to visit the places dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, you'll be surprised to know that he himself will welcome you right at the airport, as the Ahmadabad's airport has been named after him. Not only this but the stadium in Ahmadabad also carries his name. His family home in Karamsad is preserved graciously in his memory.

A national memorial was established in 1980 at the Moti Shahi Mahal of Ahmedabad to showcase the elements of his life. This memorial comprises of a gallery of historical pictures and portraits, a museum and a library which is house to several imperative documents and books pertaining to Patel and his life. The exhibits of his relics from his political and personal life can also be visited here.

Gujarat Government has also proposed to build a Statue of Unity in the state near the Narmada dam which would be 182 metres high and will be the tallest statue in the world.

Death and Legacy

Even after the death of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1950, he is still alive in the heart of many of his followers. With his continuous efforts, this prestigious leader united the whole nation without bloodshed and became immortal.