Sardar Patel, The real architect of the Indian Constitution (1875 - 1950)

Sardar Vallabhai Patel, A man rightly called the Iron Man of India. The only man who understood the real meaning of Sovereignty. A Shrewd, determined, passionate, energetic, independent, sarcastic, intense, with much stamina, both base and A noble man. A Strong-willed, full of self-confidence and magnetism, dominating, ruthless and a proud Indian who is actually the real father of Indian union.

Again, the state, Gujarat takes the credit of giving India the three most influential persons who changed the course of Independent India. One is the father of India, second the Father of the cessarian born Pakistan and Third the Iron Man, without whom both the nations wouldn't have survived. The man who believed in true democracy, who was realistic in his approach and the man who didn't take credit for whatever he did. He let history and satya take note of his deeds.

Sardar Vallabhai Patel was born on the 31st of October 1875, in Gujarat. He was the son of Zaverbhai who had served in the army of the Queen of Jhansi and Ladbai. He completed his law studies in England in 1913, came back to India and started his law practice. He joined the Gujarat club and started following a western lifestyle. One day Gandhiji came to the club to give lectures. Sardar Patel was greatly influenced by this master spokesperson. As soon as he came in contact with the Mahatma he decided to discard his foreign clothes and follow the rules of Satyagraha as laid down by Gandhiji. A relationship of teacher and student began to develop in between them.

In 1918 when there was a flood in Kaira, the British insisted on collecting tax from the farmers. This time the Sardar made optimum use of Satyagraha and asked the farmers not to give in to the demands of the government. All of this was done peacefully and the farmers followed his guidance. The British got fed up and eventually returned the land confiscated by them earlier.

In 1928 the farmers faced a similar problem and Vallabhai came to their rescue again. The British were as usual demanding an unjust tax and the farmers of Bardoli under the supervision of Vallabhbhai did not budge. The government in retaliation seized the lands. This agitation took on for more than six months until Patelfs brother, Vithalbhai, an important figure in the Central Legislative Assembly struck a truce. This event immensely delighted Gandhiji and the title of eSardarf was conferred on him. When he was assisting Gandhiji in the Salt Satyagraha, he faced imprisonment for the first time.

With great wisdom and political foresight, he consolidated the small kingdoms. The public was with him. He tackled the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Nawab of Junagarh who intially did not want to join India. There were a lot of problems connected with the reunion of the numerous states into India. Sardar Patel's untiring efforts towards the unity of the country brought success. Due to the achievement of this massive task, Sardar Patel got the title of 'Iron Man'. ' He is one of the prestigious leaders of the world who became immmortal by uniting a scattered nation without any bloodshed.

When India became free and Pakistan attacked Kashmir, it was Patel who asked to withhold the cash balances left by the British for Pakistan. Gandhiji felt this was immoral and went on a fast until death. Sardar withdrew his argument because he could not bear to see his teacher's suffering.

In independent India he held the portfolio of Deputy Prime Minister, Home Minister, Minister of state and the Minister for information and broadcasting.

The Indian Constitution officially came into force from January 26, 1950. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a decisive role in the Constituent Assembly and remained the moving spirit behind some of the landmark provisions of Indian principles.

Patel, a man of action, spoke only when necessary in the Constituent Assembly, yet his impact on the Constitution was much wider than his intervention in the debates.

He played an important role in the selection of members of the drafting committee. He took a strong stand for or against Jawaharlal Nehru on key issues such as fundamental rights, the position of the prime minister, the election procedure of the President and the status of Kashmir. The Iron Man so dominated the assembly that the Constitution which emerged from it, bore his stamp and could be aptly called the Patel Constitution.

Just as Manu, a brahmin gave the Hindus their first code, Vallabhbhai ensured that Dr B R Ambedkar, a harijan, piloted the basic law of new India. He was also instrumental for the entry of eminent jurists like B N Rau, K M Munshi, Aaladi Krishnaswami Aiyar and Gopalaswami Ayyangar into the Assembly. Not only did Patel see that Ambedkar was appointed law minister but ensured that he completed his tenure despite Nehru's wish to drop him at one point.

Sardar's interventions in the Constituent Assembly during the debates were few, but forceful.

If only Gandhi hadn't intervened, If only Patel had become PM, If only he had not died in 1950... Today's India would have been much different. Let us not forget him and this day, shall we?


- Murali