The rise of 'Sardar' Patel: From a barrister to becoming India's first Deputy Prime Minister

Vallabhbhai Patel a prominent face of the Indian National Congress known for his active participation in Indiarsquos freedom struggle and as he held key positions as Indiarsquos first Deputy Prime Minister and the first Home Minister ndash Patelrsquos journey in both pre and post Independent India is often manifested in contemporary Indian state affairs and political movementsA barrister in the makingVallabhbhai Patel ndash also known as lsquoSardarrsquo Vallabhbhai Patel ndash was born in Gujaratrsquos Nadiad on October 31 1875 The National Unity Day is observed in India in memory of Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversaryPatel belonged to a landowning farmerrsquos family in Gujarat He passed his matriculation at the age of 22 and this indeed became a reason behind a criticism he faced from his elders that he was an ldquounambitious man destined for a commonplace jobrdquo Patel proved everybody wrong he went on to pass the law examination often learning on his own while borrowing books from other lawyers and learned onesAs he passed the bar examination Patel started practicing law in Gujaratrsquos Borsad Godhra and Anand Patel often received laurels and appreciation for his lsquoprofoundrsquo skills as a lawyerAlso read Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel death anniversary 10 inspirational quotes by the Iron Man of IndiaIn 1909 Patel lost his wife to cancer By that time he was already 34yearold At the age of 36 Patel went to England to pursue higher education In 1911 Patel went to London and enrolled himself in Middle Temple Inn completed his course of 36long months within 30months proving his fast learning and lsquointellectualrsquo capabilitiesPatel then returned to India and settled in Ahmedabad in Gujarat And as he kept up with his struggle in the legal domain Patel came to be known among the reputed barristers in the countryFrom Gandhirsquos ally to Indiarsquos first Deputy Prime MinisterInitially Patel was not involved in Indiarsquos freedom struggle but his role in the movement gradually became evident when he met Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in Gujaratrsquos Godhra in 1917Patelrsquos joining of congress was another juncture for him in his sociopolitical life Later on he became the secretary of Gujarat Sabha marking a strong position in the Congress and spreading its roots further in the regionFollowing the path of Gandhi often working under Gandhirsquos shadow Patel then actively participated in Indiarsquos freedom movement Amid the rise of plague and famine in 1918 Patel left his job and joined the movement against taxes in Kheda Patel continuously contributed his time and labor during the movement became a part of the noncooperation movement in 1920 traveling around different areas in India recruiting members and funds at the same timePatel was also a part of Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 which led him to earn the title lsquoSardarrsquo and repute among the masses The British administration had arrested Patel amid the Salt Satyagraha in 1930Patel was also arrested during the Quit India Movement in 1942 The British regime imprisoned the then entire Congress Working Committee for nearly three years in Ahmedabadrsquos fortVallabhbhai Patel more often stood in support of a lsquosecular nationrsquo bracing civil liberties and fundamental rights He openly voiced against untouchability alcohol consumption and casterelated discriminationAs India became Independent from the 20 decadeslong British reign Patel became the first Deputy Prime Minister of India ndash a position held from 1947 to 1950 He also became the first Home Minister of IndiaWithin these few years Patel worked aggressively and rapidly on Indiarsquos policies and governmentled decisions One of the major issues that Patelrsquos names surface with even today is his lsquolegacyrsquo in accession of 565 princely states into the Union of India Patel lost his life on 15 December 1950 at Birla house in Bombay after suffering a massive heart attack