Sardar Vallabhai Patel, one among the outstanding freedom fighters of India, was born in 1875, in
Gujarat. Popularly known as the Iron Man of India, he became immortal by uniting a scattered nation without any bloodshed. He was highly influenced by the ideas of
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. The title ‘Sardar' was conferred on him by Gandhiji on account of his powerful movement against the British for the freedom of India, and for keeping the privileges of the poor people of the country.
After completing his law studies from England, he started his practice in Gujarat. He had followed a western life style. Influenced by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, he discarded his foreign clothes.
In 1918, Sardar Patel led a revolt against the unjust decision of the British government to collect tax from the farmers of Kaira, though there was a flood in the area. He also led a similar strike against the British in 1928. He was imprisoned for the first time when he participated in the famous Salt Satyagraha with Mahatma Gandhi. With great wisdom and political foresight, he joined several small kingdoms in Indian Union.
After independence, he held the positions of home minister, minister of state and the minister for information and broadcasting. He died in December 1950 in Mumbai.
