“Take the path of dharma- the path of truth and justice. Don’t misuse your valour. Remain united. March forward in all humanity, but fully awake to the situation you face, demanding your rights and firmness.” – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Introduction
When a country near the very edge of independence was battling to track down its geology of solidarity, there was one extraordinary person who took upon his shoulders the massive undertaking of moulding the country’s structure. He made it conceivable to integrate many different states to frame modern India with his dauntless soul and persistent endeavours. The name of this visionary- ‘Sardar’ Vallabhbhai Patel.
Background
On October 31, 1875, Sardar Patel was born in Nadiad, Gujarat. An influential lawyer by profession, his life experienced a defining moment when Mahatma Gandhi picked him as his representative leader to lead the Kheda Satyagraha in 1918. Along these lines, as the head of a labourers’ dissent, Vallabhbhai Patel observed the direction of his life turning towards a way of public help. In 1924, Patel was chosen as President of the Ahmedabad Municipal Board. Assuming responsibility, he refurbished the sanitation, drainage, cleanliness and water distribution systems of Ahmedabad. To their sheer amazement, the residents saw the President of the Board taking up a brush and residue truck himself and cleaning the Harijan quarter of the city. In him, the city of Ahmedabad tracked down another Hero.
Involvement in Independence Movement
Vallabhbhai Patel turned out to be progressively engaged with the battle for independence. His role in the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 raised him to another zenith of public greatness. The peasant development turned into extraordinary conversation the country over showed the Sardar’s authoritative limit and excitement for eager activity. Here, he procured the title of ‘Sardar,’ the affectionate appellation he keeps on being recollected.
Sardar Patel became one of the premier mainstays of the public battle for the opportunity. In 1931, he was chosen as President of the Indian Nation Congress at its Karachi Session. When the country was in the commotion over the execution of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, he gave a solemn discourse that mirrored the feeling of great importance. With the death of the Indian Independence Act 1947, the quite a while ago treasured dream of opportunity was at long last at the doorstep. Be that as it may, gigantic snags lay ahead.
Integration of Princely States
At Independence, India comprised British India and the Princely States. There were 17 British Indian States, and the Princely States- containing around two-fifths of the geographic domain of the nation, numbered more than 560. While the Indian Independence Act surrendered control of British India to the Indian Government, leaders of the Princely States were given a choice to conclude whether they needed to consent to India or Pakistan or not, one or the other.
Sardar Patel stepped in to guarantee the accession of the princely states and incorporate them into the Union of India. On June 25, 1947, the States Department was shaped under Sardar Patel. VP Menon was delegated its secretary. These two people made an impressive group whose affability and discretion made it conceivable to conquer unfavourable obstacles.
On August 15, 1947, Sardar Patel was made the first Deputy Prime Minister, just as the first Home Minister of Independent India. He likewise assumed responsibility for the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
The Policy of Accession
The adventure of accession unfurled with its difficulties and milestone accomplishments. In June 1947, Jodhpur had consented to India following a few gatherings and dealings, having endeavoured exchanges for better terms with Pakistan. Consequently, in July 1947, Travancore had reported that it would declare its entitlement to stay autonomous. In the end, Patel’s discretion and diplomacy welcomed the Raja of Travancore ready. This choice fundamentally affected the leaders of different states who had swayed on the issue of accession until recently.
The Nawab of Junagadh chose to acquiesce to Pakistan, even as individuals of the state remained ardently gone against it. Junagadh was last integrated into India with Sardar Patel’s fearless endeavours. In February 1948, in a milestone referendum, a majority of Junagadh voted to stay in India.
Raja Hari Singh of Kashmir had been uncertain about accession. Notwithstanding, with Kashmir going under threat from Pakistan in October 1947, the Raja looked for critical help from India. Help was broadened, and the Raja signed the Instrument of Accession consequently. The terms of Kashmir’s accession were worked out between October 1947 and November 26, 1949, when the Constituent Assembly was drafting the Constitution of India. Article 370 was presented in the Constitution in Part XXI (Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions) to safeguard the particular terms Kashmir had consented to acquiesce to India.
Under Article 370, the President could, with the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order 1954, conclude arrangements of the Indian Constitution which were to be applied to Jammu and Kashmir with or without alteration. Jammu and Kashmir, along these lines, held a Special Status and had their own Constitution.
Nizam Mir Usman Ali Khan Bahadur of Hyderabad had consented to a Standstill Arrangement with the Government of India to keep a transitory the norm. Be that as it may, typical pressures and viciousness in the state incited Patel to make a move. The Indian Army moved into Hyderabad under Operation Polo. On September 17, 1948, the Nizam declared a truce, and Hyderabad was retained into India.
Sardar Patel’s life and vocation illustrate coarseness, wisdom, and conclusive initiative. He acquired the rank of ‘Iron Man’ in light of how he achieved and kept up with inside steadiness as Home Minister right after the segment of the country.
One more outstanding commitment made by Sardar Patel was the formation of the All-India Services. He had imagined these administrations as the ‘Steel frame of India’ to protect the nation’s solidarity and trustworthiness. Therefore, he considered the Services officials accomplices in an organization and anticipated keeping up with the best expectations of uprightness and trustworthiness.
On December 15, 1950, the Iron Man of India breathed his last. He had effectively achieved the undertaking of integrating 565 Princely States into the Union of India with a minimal ability to focus time-an an accomplishment phenomenal ever.
After Patel
The course of public unification proceeded in the resulting years. In 1954, after delayed exchanges, the French Government gave over Pondicherry and other French belongings to India. In December 1961, Indian soldiers moved into Goa, which had stayed under Portuguese control. With Operation Vijay, Goa, Daman, and Diu were attached to India and made into a midway-managed Union Territory of India. Afterwards, in May 1987, the Union Territory was parted, and Goa was made India’s twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu staying Union Territories.
In May 1975, Sikkim, which had stood firm on the footing of a protectorate state, was converged with India. The Monarchy was abolished. Sikkim turned into a state of the Indian Union by the 36th Constitution Amendment Act of 1975, further fortifying the territorial solidarity of the country.
National Unity Day
On August 5, 2019, Article 370 of the Constitution granted an extraordinary temporary status to Jammu, and Kashmir was annulled in acknowledgement that J and K is an inalienable part of India. This finished the total unification and union of the country as Sardar Patel had imagined. Sardar Patel left an enduring inheritance by incorporating bits of a colossally complicated jigsaw into a durable entire that is India as far as we might be concerned today. He is to be sure the exemplification of public solidarity. To commend this remarkable individual, 31 October-birth commemorations are observed as the National Unity Day beginning around 2014.
On October 31, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed the world’s tallest sculpture – the ‘Statue of Unity’ in mark Patel’s Birth to the nation. Standing tall at 182 meters against the scene of the Satpura and Vindhyachal slopes in Kevadia, Gujarat, this sculpture of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel remains as a tribute to one of the most loved pioneers the nation has ever known.