Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Statue of Unity | Quotes of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

It is difficult to believe that the aforementioned is one amongst many non-political quotes of the iron man of India, freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

This statement can easily be mistaken as a thoughtful musing of a spiritual saint who has renounced the world and has dedicated his life to a greater cause.

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“Work is worship but laughter is life. Anyone who takes life too seriously must prepare himself for a miserable existence”. Anyone who greets joys and sorrows with equal facility can get the best of life”.

Life of Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Born as one amongst five brothers and sisters in a peasant family of Ladbai and Jhaveribhai Patel in village Nadiad in Kaira district of Gujarat, Vallabhbhai was set for a far greater cause of independence and integration of independent India.

In his formative years, his mother has had a profound impact on his psychology. Like in a normal rural setting, the mother would gather all her children and narrate stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

While it impacted the spiritual quotient of young Patel, it was his father who introduced him to the world of the peasantry.

Young Vallabhbhai used to accompany his father to the fields and eventually became an expert in land tilling and cattle tending, two important aspects of cultivation.

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Such was his affection to his peasant ancestry that once an American journalist asked him about his cultural activities, to which he retorted, “Ask me another. My culture is agriculture”.

The first spate of struggle that brought Patel to public life was primarily his journey as a peasant leader.

His foray into public life and eventually into the freedom movement was possible through successful satyagrahas in Board and Kheda, wherein through his exceptional skills in leadership and consensus-building brought the British government on knees to agree to the demand for the withdrawal of exorbitant increase in revenue.

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Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Biography

Full Name	Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel
Popularly Known As	Sardar Patel
Date of Birth	31st October 1875
Place of Birth	Nadiad, Bombay Presidency (present-day Gujarat)
Date of Death	15th December 1950
Cause of Death	Heart Attack
Spouse	Jasuben Patel
Children	Dahyabhai Patel, Maniben Patel, Vithalbhai Patel
Education	High School, Barrister-at-Law (Middle Temple, London)
Profession	Lawyer, Politician

Political Career of Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Year	Event/Role	Significance
1916	Joins Indian National Congress	Begins involvement in Indian independence movement
1918	Organizes Bardoli Satyagraha against British land revenue hike	Successful resistance movement showcasing Patel’s leadership
1924-1928	President of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation	Implements sanitation and infrastructure improvements
1931	Leads Civil Disobedience Movement against British salt tax	Major step towards nationwide independence struggle
1946-1947	Member of Interim Government of India	Serves as Minister of Home Affairs and Health
1947-1950	First Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of Independent India	Instrumental in integrating over 500 princely states into India
1947-1950	Oversees construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam	Major irrigation and hydroelectric project in Gujarat

Accomplishments and Recognition of Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Achievement	Recognition
Unification of India	Honored as “Iron Man of India”
Modernization of Home Ministry	Bharat Ratna (posthumously)
Promotion of agriculture and infrastructure	Statue of Unity (world’s tallest statue)

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Interesting Facts Relating to Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• Patel was born on 31 October 1875 in the Kheda district of Gujarat. He breathed his last breath on 15 December 1950 in Mumbai. Born into a peasant family, Patel is known for uniting independent India. He combined several princely states in India with the strength of his diplomatic capacity.

• Nowadays, at the age when students graduate, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel passed the class 10th examination. The biggest hurdles in his education were the financial constraints of the family. Despite this, he scored the highest marks in the District Magistrate’s examination.

• In the year 1905, Vallabhbhai Patel wanted to go to England to study law. But the postman handed over his passport and ticket to his brother, Vitthal Bhai Patel. Both brothers were named VJ Patel. Vallabh Bhai Patel gave his passport and ticket to the elder brother.

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• Sardar Patel went to England to study advocacy at the age of 36. Sardar Patel, who started his studies late in the beginning, completed the 36-month course of advocacy in just 30 months.

• India got independence in the year 1947 but scattered. There were 562 princely states in the country. On the strength of his diplomatic ability, Patel merged them into India. Among them, the Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh decided to go with Pakistan in 1947.
  After this, Patel merged with the princely state of Junagadh with India. Sardar Patel reached Junagadh on 12 November 1947. He directed the Indian Army to restore stability in the region.

• There was a debate in the court. Sardar Patel was cross-examining his client when a person writes on paper and gives them a message. After reading the message, Patel keeps that paper in his coat pocket. He continued cross-examination and won the case.
  You’d be surprised to know that there was news of his wife Jhaver BaI’s death on that paper. When the court proceedings were over, he informed me about his wife’s death.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, fondly known as the “Iron Man of India,” was an instrumental figure in India’s independence and unification. Here are some fascinating facts about his life and legacy:

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1. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel an Unlikely Politician

• Patel wasn’t initially drawn to politics. He was a successful lawyer, known for his sharp legal mind and integrity.
• It was Mahatma Gandhi who inspired him to join the Indian freedom struggle, recognizing his leadership qualities and organizational skills.

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2. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel a Master Unifier:

• Patel’s greatest achievement was undoubtedly the unification of India. After independence, over 560 princely states remained, each with its ruler.
• Through skillful negotiation, persuasion, and sometimes even coercion, Patel integrated all but one princely state (Junagadh) into the Indian Union within a year.

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3. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel an Iron Will and Determination:

• Patel earned the nickname “Iron Man” for his unwavering resolve and dedication to his cause. He faced numerous challenges during the unification process, including resistance from some princes and internal political opposition.
• Yet, he persevered through it all, earning the respect and admiration of his countrymen.

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4. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel a man Beyond Unification

• Patel’s contributions extended far beyond political integration. He was also a strong advocate for social reform and modernization.
• He played a key role in promoting national unity and communal harmony, working to address issues like caste discrimination and untouchability.

5. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel a Unassuming Leader

• Despite his immense achievements, Patel remained a humble and down-to-earth leader. He was known for his simple lifestyle and his dedication to serving the people.
• He was deeply respected by his colleagues and followers for his integrity, honesty, and commitment to the nation.

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6. Bonus Fact about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• The Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It stands 587 feet tall and is located in Gujarat, India.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s life and legacy continue to inspire millions in India and around the world. He is remembered as a true statesman, a visionary leader, and a symbol of national unity and integrity.

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The Man Who Saved India

Freedom fighter sardar vallabhbhai patel is perhaps the only pragmatist in the Gandhi, Nehru, Patel trio who were the most important people, especially in the run-up to independence and immediately afterwards.

Most Indians do not realize that the map of India would not look anything like it does today had Freedom fighter sardar vallabhbhai patel not contributed to it.

Without him, large chunks of India would have broken away with malicious intent. He almost single-handedly prevented this balkanization from happening.

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The one place where Patel could not entirely implement his wise policies in Kashmir, and we are paying the price for that even today.

Next to Gandhi, and sometimes even better than the Mahatma, Patel understood the grassroots ethos and culture of India.

If he would have lived even for a decade after independence, possibly many of India’s persistent issues would have been resolved”, observes Hindol Sengupta, author of the upcoming Patel biography The Man Who Saved India.

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Death and Family of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

On 15 December 1950 at 09.37 am, Freedom fighter sardar vallabhbhai patel suffered a heart attack after a prolonged illness at Mumbai’s Birla House, which led to his death.

After his death, in Indian politics, the halo of his family, i.e. son and daughter, continued to decrease.

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They could not get the importance they should have got. It is not that Patel’s family was not active in politics, rather it should be said that they were very active. His elder son Dahya was one of the leading Congress leaders in Mumbai.

Daughter Maniben Patel was a competent politician with good contacts. It can be said that the Nehru family retained the son and daughter of Vallabhbhai Patel as MPs, but did not give the importance they deserved.

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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Quotes

1. Take to the path of dharma the path of truth and justice. Don’t misuse your valour. Remain united. March forward in all humility, but fully awake to the situation you face, demanding your rights and firmness.
2. Little pools of water tend to become stagnant and useless, but if they are joined together to form a big lake the atmosphere is cooled and there is universal benefit.
3. Faith is of no evil in absence of strength. Faith and strength both are essential to accomplish any great work.
4. A war based on Satyagraha is always of two kinds. One is the war we wage against injustice, and the other we fight our own weaknesses.
5. Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonized and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power.
6. Every Indian should now forget that he is a Rajput, a Sikh, or a Jat. He must remember that he is an Indian, and he has every right in his country but with certain duties.
7. Non-violence has to be observed in thought, word, and deed. The measure of our non-violence will be the measure of our success.
8. Two ways of building character – cultivating the strength to challenge oppression, and tolerate the resultant hardships that give rise to courage and awareness.
9. There is something unique in this soil that, despite many obstacles, has always remained the abode of great souls.
10. The stiffer the opponent, the more should our affection go out to him. That is the significance of Satyagraha.
11. The negligence of a few could easily send a ship to the bottom, but if it has the wholehearted co-operation of all on board, it can be safely brought to the part.
12. Work is undoubtedly worship, but laughter is life. Anyone who takes life too seriously must prepare himself for a miserable existence. Anyone who greets joys and sorrows with equal facility can really get the best of life.

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Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: FAQ

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