Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – The Iron Man of India – Essay
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the greatest leaders of India. He played an important role in the freedom struggle and helped bring our country together after independence. People call him the “Iron Man of India” because he was very strong, brave and determined. He worked very hard to make sure that India became one united country.
Early Life
Sardar Patel was born on 31st October 1875 in a town called Nadiad in Gujarat. He came from a farmer’s family. Even though his family was not rich, he was a very smart and hardworking student. He studied law and later went to England to become a lawyer. After finishing his studies, he returned to India and started working as a lawyer in Ahmedabad.
Even though he had a good job, he wanted to do something for his country. He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and joined the freedom movement. That is when he began helping people fight against British rule.
Freedom Struggle
Sardar Patel first became popular during the Kheda Satyagraha in 1918. At that time, farmers in Gujarat were suffering because of floods and did not want to pay taxes. The British government refused to help them. Patel supported the farmers and led a peaceful protest. This made people start calling him “Sardar,” which means leader.
Later, in 1928, he also led the Bardoli Satyagraha, where he again helped farmers fight against unfair taxes. He showed great courage and became very famous all over India. He also took part in other big movements like the Salt March and the Quit India Movement. He was even sent to jail by the British many times, but he never gave up.
After Independence
When India got independence in 1947, there were more than 560 small kingdoms or princely states. Some of them didn’t want to join India. It was a very big problem. Sardar Patel became the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India. He took on the challenge of bringing all these states together to form one strong country.
With smart thinking and peaceful talks, Patel made sure that almost all the princely states joined India. Some places like Hyderabad, Junagadh and Kashmir were not easy to manage, but Patel handled them wisely. Because of him, India became one united nation. That is why people call him the Unifier of India.
Honours and Statue of Unity
To honour Sardar Patel, the Government of India built a huge statue called the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. It was opened on October 31, 2018, on his birthday. It is 182 meters tall, which makes it the tallest statue in the world.
His birthday is now celebrated as National Unity Day (Rastriya Ekta Diwas) every year. This day reminds us of the importance of staying united as one country.
Conclusion
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a great leader, a brave freedom fighter and a wise thinker. He helped India become free and then made sure that the country stayed together. His hard work, honesty and love for the nation inspire us even today. We should always remember him and try to follow his values. He truly was the Iron Man of India.
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