Syllabus: GS-I: Modern Indian History 

Why in the news?

India is marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31 October 2025, aligning with Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day). The celebration revives his enduring message of a united, strong India and spurs reflection on his vision of national integration and institutional stability.

Early life and emergence of leadership

• Patel was born on 31 October 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat, into a modest farming family. His journey from a small-town lawyer to national leader illustrates remarkable determination.
• His switch from legal practice to active politics was catalysed by his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1917, the same year he was appointed as the Sanitation Commissioner of Ahmedabad.

Role In Freedom Struggle

• Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Patel mobilised peasants against unjust British taxation after crop failure. The colonial authorities withdrew tax demands
• Patel became one of the key organisers of the Indian National Congress during the 1920s–40s, strengthening its base across provinces.
• His leadership in the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) where he earned the title “Sardar” for his effective leadership of peasants.
• The Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress (1931) was presided over by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 
  • Under Patel’s presidency, the Congress adopted two landmark resolutions: Resolution on Fundamental Rights & Resolution on National Economic Programme.
• As the Chairman of the Congress Parliamentary Board, he played a crucial role in the 1937 provincial elections.
• He was instrumental in Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation (1920-22) and Civil Disobedience (1930) movements, organising boycotts, protests, and community drives at the grassroots.
• During the Quit India Movement (1942), Patel was among the top leaders arrested, spending months in jail, yet his speeches before arrest inspired national resolve against British rule.

National integration and institutional building

• As the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India (1947-50), Patel orchestrated the integration of over 560 princely states into the Indian Union without massive bloodshed — establishing the shape of modern India’s territorial unity.
  • Junagadh: The Nawab of Junagadh, a Muslim ruler of a Hindu-majority state, chose to join Pakistan. 
  • Patel isolated the state economically, and after public unrest, India took control. 
  • A plebiscite in 1948 confirmed over 99% support for joining India, ensuring peaceful integration.
  • Hyderabad: The Nizam sought independence, but his militia, the Razakars, caused chaos. 
  • Patel ordered Operation Polo (Sep 1948) — a swift five-day military action that ended in Hyderabad’s accession to India.
  • Jammu & Kashmir: Following a tribal invasion from Pakistan in October 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession. 
  • Indian troops were airlifted, and Patel’s firm handling ensured Kashmir’s integration into India.
  • Through diplomacy, persuasion and decisive action, Sardar Patel united Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir — securing India’s unity and sovereignty.
• He created the “steel-frame” of India’s bureaucracy through his role in establishing the All India Services, underlining his belief in strong institutions as the backbone of national governance.
  

Vision of “Unity in Diversity”

• Patel articulated a clear message: citizens must rise above caste, creed or region and embrace their identity as Indians. 
• His famous quote encapsulates this: “Every Indian must now remember that he is an Indian and has every right in his country but with certain duties.”
• The observance of National Unity Day on his birth anniversary reflects his philosophy of national unity, integrity and security — a pledge read annually across the country to reinforce resilience against internal and external threats.
• His mission aligns with the current mantra of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Best India), promoting integration, development and shared destiny.
  

Relevance in the 21st century

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision and values continue to guide India’s governance, leadership, and unity in the modern era.

• National Unity: Patel’s integration of princely states reminds us that India’s strength lies in its unity in diversity. 
  • His vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” remains vital amid growing regionalism and ideological divides.
    
• Minister–Administrator Relation: As the founder of the All India Services, Patel upheld a balanced relationship between political leaders and civil servants — where ministers set direction and administrators ensure efficient, impartial execution.
  
• Values & Ethics: Patel embodied integrity, courage, and simplicity. His life stands as a model for public servants that honesty and accountability must define governance.
  
• Leadership Lessons: A firm yet empathetic leader, Patel believed in discipline, decisiveness, and teamwork. His leadership inspires today’s policymakers to combine resolve with humility.
  
• Foresighted Economist: He linked political stability with economic progress, advocating cooperative movements, rural development, and fiscal prudence — principles relevant to inclusive growth today.
  
• Masterful Diplomacy: Patel’s handling of Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir showcased his firm yet tactful diplomacy, offering lessons in protecting national interests with strategy and balance.

One-line wrap:
Patel’s legacy of unity, ethics, and decisive leadership remains a timeless guide for building a strong, inclusive, and self-reliant India in the 21st century.

Honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

India continues to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — the “Iron Man of India” — through national observances, memorials, and initiatives that celebrate his enduring legacy of unity and leadership.

• National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas): Celebrated every year on 31st October since 2014, it reaffirms Patel’s vision of a united India. 
  • Citizens across the country participate in the Run for Unity, taking a pledge to preserve national integrity and harmony.
    
• Statue of Unity: Inaugurated in 2018 at Kevadia, Gujarat, it stands as the world’s tallest statue (182 metres), symbolising Patel’s monumental role in integrating India.
• Sardar Patel National Unity Award: Instituted in 2019, this is the highest civilian honour for contributions to national unity and integrity.
• Sardar@150 Celebrations (2024–2026): On his 150th birth anniversary, the government launched the “Sardar@150 Unity March” from Karamsad to Kevadia, engaging youth through NSS, NCC, and My Bharat platforms to revive his ideals among new generations.

Mains Question:
“Analyse Sardar Patel’s role in India’s political integration and his vision of national unity. How are these relevant to contemporary India’s governance challenges?”

One-line wrap: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision — of a united, institution-driven India rising above differences — is as vital today as it was in shaping the nation’s foundation.

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