Why Is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Called the Iron Man of India?
Who Was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the prominent Indian barristers, politicians and leading figures of the country. He rose to prominence at the time of India’s freedom movement. After independence in 1947, he served as Deputy Prime Minister, Home Minister, Information Minister and Minister of State of India. He was indeed one of the founding leaders of the Republic of India and was instrumental in keeping the nation united. This uncompromising commitment of Vallabhbhai Patel to national integration earned him the sobriquet “Iron Man of India.”
Early Life and Education of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
The primary education of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was completed in Karamsad and the higher education in Petlad. He passed the Class 10 Board exam at the age of 22 years which was a bit unusual. He went to London in 1910 for further studies. The 36-month course of advocacy was completed by him in just 30 months. In 1913, he came back to India and settled in Ahmedabad. After his return from abroad, he became a barrister in criminal law at Ahmedabad bar.
Life and Work of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Sardar Patel served as the first municipal commissioner of Ahmedabad from 1917 to 1924 and in 1924 he became the president of Municipality. He served as the president from 1924 to 1928.
His movement to help the farmers and zamindars of Kairana (Gujarat) against the decision of the Bombay Govt to retrieve the tax even after the unfavourable crop season made him a prominent figure in 1918. The agitation of zamindars of Bardoli against the increased taxes was led successfully by Sardar Patel in the year 1928. After this movement, he was recognized as “Sardar” which means “leader”.
Sardar Patel was sentenced to imprisonment for three months at the time of 1930 Salt Satyagraha. The Karachi session of the Indian National Congress was presided over by Sardar Patel in 1931. He took part in Mahatma Gandhi’s movement of disobedience and was arrested by the British Police in 1940. He was imprisoned at that time for a period of nine months. He lost almost 20 pounds of weight while serving his term in jail.
Sardar Patel was arrested for the third time at the time of Quit India Movement (1942) and his period of imprisonment was 1942 to 1945 at the fort in Ahmednagar. The Congress Party was led by him in 1937 elections and he was one of the prominent contenders for the post of Congress President in 1937. However, he withdrew his nomination and was replaced by Jawaharlal Nehru upon receiving Gandhi's advice.
After the above incident, the British Govt invited Nehru for the formation of Interim Govt. Perhaps Sardar Patel would be Prime Minister of India if he was elected as the President of Congress instead of Nehru.
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel is one of the most vital names in India’s struggle for Independence. On 31st October 2018, his birth anniversary, the present Indian government unveiled the world’s tallest statue named ‘Statue of Unity’ in his memory. The statue with a height of 182 meters (597 ft) stands on the bank of the Sardar Sarovar Dam near Vadodara in Gujarat.
Why is Storytelling Important?
The first step is to read the title carefully and write down the ideas that come to your mind. The next step is to consult and express ideas on a given topic. The best way is to write down key points and short keywords. Rate the topic based on the following features:
What, when, why, how, where, who etc.
Cause and effect
Social, cultural, political, economic, etc.
Conditions, examples, illustrations, similes etc.
Quotes, proverbs, sayings.
What are the 4 Qualities of a Good Essay?
Your Essay Must Be Clear – You should always be simple and your words should be clear to your readers. That is why you should keep your story clear and concise. If your story is long and vague and related to the main topic, then it is useless. So the first quality is that you should try to keep your story clear and short.
Write Related Subject - An essay can't cover a variety of topics without a topic which is why it is different from other types of paper works. Points and pieces of evidence should be straightforward and consistent with the topic. To prove your point, you should get pieces of evidence so that the reader can be sure that your points are true and relevant to the topic.
Avoid Grammatical Mistakes the story must have no grammatical errors, spelling errors, run-ons, and fragments. All the basic rules of the program must be applied to the story for the story to be of a high standard. Most students complain about why they get so few marks in their essay writing tests. The main reason for getting a few marks in an exam is that students do not follow the basic rules of the system which makes it inefficient and incomplete.
Proofread Carefully - A good quality essay is updated several times so that it does not contain any kind of error. Try updating it once. It is necessary to review the story to correct any mistakes that may have been made or to include some important points. Review is an important part of writing a quality story. Reviews are made to ensure that your writing is solid, and your writing is free of spelling and grammar errors.
FAQs on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Essay: Leadership, Vision & National Unity
1. Why is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel called the 'Iron Man of India'?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel earned the title 'Iron Man of India' due to his firm determination, immense courage, and decisive leadership during India's struggle for independence and the subsequent period of national consolidation. His most notable achievement was the integration of more than 565 princely states into the Indian Union, a task he accomplished with a combination of diplomacy and a firm stance, thereby securing the political unity of the country.
2. What was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's single most important contribution to modern India?
His most significant contribution was the successful integration of the princely states into the newly independent India. At a time when the country faced the threat of fragmentation, Patel's strategic negotiations and unwavering resolve were instrumental in persuading the rulers of these states to accede to India. This act laid the foundation for the politically unified and geographically coherent Republic of India that exists today.
3. What were the core principles that defined Sardar Patel's vision for a united India?
Sardar Patel's vision for India was built on several key principles:
National Unity: He believed that the primary strength of India lay in its unity, prioritising the nation above any regional, communal, or caste identity.
Integrity and Governance: He envisioned a strong central administration and established the All-India Services, which he called the 'steel frame' of the country, to ensure efficient and impartial governance.
Practicality and Action: Patel was a pragmatist who focused on decisive action and tangible results rather than just ideology. His approach to complex problems like integration demonstrated this principle.
4. How should one structure an essay on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's leadership?
A well-structured essay on Sardar Patel should cover these key points:
Introduction: Briefly introduce him as a key freedom fighter, the first Deputy Prime Minister, and the 'Iron Man of India'.
Early Leadership: Discuss his role in local movements like the Kheda and Bardoli Satyagrahas, which established his leadership qualities.
Role in National Integration: Dedicate a significant section to explaining the challenge of the princely states and how he achieved their integration.
Vision for Governance: Explain his contribution to creating a strong administrative framework for India.
Conclusion: Summarise his legacy of national unity, strong leadership, and pragmatic governance.
5. How did Sardar Patel's approach to national integration differ from that of other contemporary leaders?
Sardar Patel's approach was distinctly pragmatic and firm, often described as 'realpolitik'. While many leaders focused on idealistic and diplomatic discourse, Patel employed a blend of persuasion, political pressure, and the implicit threat of force (the 'Sama, Dama, Danda, Bheda' policy). His focus was on immediate, concrete results to secure India's borders and political stability, which sometimes contrasted with the more ideological or gradualist approaches of his contemporaries.
6. Beyond political unity, what was Patel’s vision for India's administrative structure?
Sardar Patel's vision was to create a strong, impartial, and efficient administrative system that would hold the country together. He is considered the father of the modern All-India Services (IAS, IPS, etc.). He believed that a dedicated and independent bureaucracy, the 'steel frame,' was essential for maintaining national integrity, ensuring uniform standards of administration across states, and implementing government policies without political bias, thereby strengthening the foundation of the new nation.
7. What key lessons on leadership and national unity can students learn from Sardar Patel's life?
Students can learn several powerful lessons from Sardar Patel's life. Firstly, the importance of placing national interest above all else. Secondly, the power of decisive and courageous leadership in the face of immense challenges. Finally, his life teaches that true unity is achieved not just through ideals but through practical, determined action and a commitment to building strong, lasting institutions that serve all citizens equally.
