Hello! I’m Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), popularly known as Sardar Patel / Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. I was an Indian barrister and statesman, a leader of the Indian National Congress and a founding father of the Republic of India who played a leading role in the country struggle for independence and guided its integration into a united, independent nation. In India and elsewhere, I was often addressed as Sardar, which means Chief in Hindi, Urdu, and Persian. Acted as de facto Supreme Commander-in-chief of Indian army during Political integration of India and Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.
Born on 31st October at Nadiad, Khaira District, Gujarat. Fourth son of
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's primary education (1st, 2nd and 3rd standard) took place in Karamsad School which was known as PANDYA SCHOOL - Today its known as SARDAR SMRITI SHALA
English 4th and 5th standards at Petlad, a small town seven miles from Karamsad. Lived in a rented room with four or five other boys, with seven day's ration. Walked from Karamsad to Petlad every week.
At the age of 18 married Zaverba of Gana, a small village three miles from Karamsad.
Matriculated from a high school in Nadiad, Kaira District, at 22
Passed district Pleader's examination. Studied with books borrowed from friends. Set up independent practice at Godhra, headquarters of Panchmahals district, Gujarat. Contracted bubonic plague from a court nazir whom he nursed when an epidemic broke out in Godhra.
Shifted practice to Borsad, where he quickly made a name as a criminal lawyer.
Daughter Maniben Patel born on 3rd April 1903
Saved enough money to go to England to become a barrister, but postponed departure in deference to the wishes of his elder brother Vithalbhai, who came to know about his plan and wished to go first. Looked after his brother's wife while he was away.
Son Dahyabhai Patel born on 28th November 1905
Wife Jhaverba died after an operation in Bombay. Received a telegram containing news of her death while arguing a murder case in Borsad, but continued case until hearing was completed. In spite of pressure from friends and relations, refused to marry again.
Proceeded to London for qualifying at the Bar. Admitted to Middle Temple. Used to walk several 9 miles everyday to read at the Middle Temple Inn Library. Awarded a scholarship of 100 guineas per year for 3 years.
Passed preliminary examination with honors, standing first in Equity. Fell ill with a tropical disease unknown in England. Doctors wanted to amputate his leg, but a German doctor intervened and cured him through an operation which he underwent without chloroform.
Took final examination after sixth term instead of usual 12. Stood first in first class, winning a prize of £50 and exemption from two terms. Sailed for India the day after convocation.
Reached Bombay in 13th February. Refused post in Judicial Department as a lecturer in Government Law School, Bombay and left for Ahmedabad, where he established himself as foremost criminal lawyer.
Member, Gujarat Sabha, which was converted into Gujarat Provincial Congress Committee in 1919.
Elected member of Ahmedabad Municipal Board. Election challenged and set aside. Stood in a by-election and was returned unopposed. Mahatma Gandhi, president of the first Gujarat Provincial Conference, appointed an executive committee with Patel as secretary.
Led agitation against the appointment of a British member of the Indian Civil Service as Municipal Commissioner and secured his removal.
As Chairman of the Sanitary Committee of Ahmedabad, stayed on in city when most of the citizens went away during an epidemic of plague. Took a leading role in helping sufferers and enforcing precautionary measures.
Organised famine relief work in Ahmedabad district. Represented textile mill labour with Gandhi and Shankarlal Banker before a tribunal appointed to hear a dispute between labour and millowners. Put up a temporary hospital in city with grant from Municipal Board to Gujarat Sabha to combat severe influenza epidemic. Organised no-tax campaign in Kaira district along with Gandhi. During campaign Gandhi said he was testing Patel, adding later that Patel had turned out to be "pure gold." Chairman, Sanitary Committee and Public Works Committee of Ahmedabad Municipality. Helped Gandhi in recruitment drive for British Indian Army. They used to walk together for miles and cooked their own food.
Chairman of Managing Committee, Ahmedabad Municipal Board
Organised movement against Rowlatt Bills designed to strangle movement for self rule. Led big demonstration march in Ahmedabad on 6 April and addressed public meeting against bills. Sold publicly Gandhi's proscribed books, Hind Swaraj and Sarvodaya, and published Satyagraha Patrika in Gujarati without official declaration or permission. Government took no action.
Helped local authorities restore peace and order after large scale disturbances leading to martial Law in Ahmedabad after arrest of Gandhi.
Organised campaign of Congress Party in elections to Ahmedabad Municipal Board. Congress captured almost all elected seats.
Discarded western dress and adopted khadi dhoti, kurta and chappals. Burnt all his foreign clothes. Way of life also changed to traditional pattern in Gujarat. Organised a conference of political workers of Gujarat in Ahmedabad and persuaded it to adopt a resolution supporting Gandhi's civil disobedience movement.
In response to Gandhi's call at Nagpur session of Congress to collect money for Tilak Swaraj Fund, promised to raise Rs. 1 million and enrol 300,000 party members in Gujarat. Fulfilled these promises within three months.
Elected chairman of Reception Committee of 36th session of Congress held at Ahmedabad. For first time, delegates sat on. floor and the session set new pattern in simplicity, austerity and businesslike proceedings.
Built a hospital and maternity home on 21 acres of land along Sabarmati river at site of session. The fountain built at that time is still there.
Government of Bombay suspended Ahmedabad Municipality after a sharp tussle over supervision of municipal schools. Organised schools under People's Primary Education Board with public contributions. Municipality suspended.
Collected Rs. 1 million for Gujarat Vidyapith in a tour which took him up to Rangoon.
All-India Congress Committee deputed him to conduct satyagraha at Nagpur in connection with British District Commissioner's ban on flying national flag in cantonment area.
Resisted Bombay Government's levy of punitive tax on people of Borsad who were charged with harboring criminals. Tax withdrawn. Called Suba of Borsad.
Ahmedabad Municipality reinstated. Fresh elections gave Congress Party a decisive majority in enlarged Municipal Council. Elected President of municipality.
Passed a resolution giving notice to Ahmedabad Cantonment to pay water tax from 1920 at rate of eight annas. If tax was not paid, threatened to cut off water connection. Tax paid under protest.
Introduced khadi uniform in municipality. Municipal work was conducted in Gujarati after he became President. His scheme for supplying pure water passed.
Completed drainage scheme during term as President. Collected all arrears of municipal tax not paid by high officials, some well-to-do people and municipal Councillors by cutting water connections and attaching properties.
Unprecedented rainfall caused great damage and hardship throughout Gujarat. Saved Ahmedabad from floods by getting culverts breached. Organised relief measures for flood sufferers with public contributions. Promoted grow more food and fodder campaigns and opened shops to sell high-quality grain, cereal and cotton seed for sowing at low cost to farmers. Received more than Rs. 10 million from Government earmarked for famine relief. A new party emerged in Ahmedabad Municipality. Clashed with it over appointment of chief officer.
"A Paradox of Iron-Will & Kind Heart - He (Sardar Patel) will always remain in my memory as that paradox: a man of ironwill, clear vision and ruthless determination, who was at heart kind, gentle and sentimental. It is given to few men to serve their country so faithfully and well as did Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, without ever sacrificing his loyalty to those whom he called friends."
Team Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel