Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Nadiad, October 31st 1875 - Bombay, December 15th 1950) was a nationalist leader and statesman Indian, originating, like Gandhi, of the Goujerat. His/her father would have taken part in the Révolte of Cipayes under the orders of the rani Lakshmî Bâî.

After its studies of rights in England (1910 - 1913), where it obtains its diploma in two years instead of the three usual ones, it turns over to India at once and opens a cabinet with Ahmadâbâd. It makes soon the meeting of Gandhi and joined the movement for civil disobedience. He becomes the president of the Parti the Congress in 1931 and, thanks to its efforts, the party collects 100% of the votes to the elections of 1937. He is imprisoned many times by the British because of his political activities, in particular of the August 9th 1942 at the end of the world war, following the resolution “Quit India” which enjoignait with the colonial power to withdraw country.

Natural candidate of the party to the function of Prime Minister, having the support of the majority of his members, it lets himself persuade by Gandhi to leave this place to Jawaharlal Nehru. As Minister of Interior Department, Minister for the States and Prime Minister associated (1947-1950), in the government of this last, it will successfully negotiate the integration of the princely States of the Indies within the republic, not hesitating to send the army to Junâgadh and Hyderâbâd to subdue inclinations of independence of their râja.

Its management of the crisis after the assassination of Gandhi allows this “man iron”, as it then is called, to prevent that a civil war does not set ablaze India.

The title of Sardar was conferred to him by the people of Goujerat in mark of respect.

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