Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Iron Man of India, united more than 560 princely states to build one nation. But there are many things about his life that people do not know. Here are twelve lesser-known facts about his courage, discipline, and leadership.
1. Led the 1931 Karachi congress session
Patel served as the 49th Congress President at the 1931 Karachi session. Under his leadership, a historic resolution on Fundamental Rights and National Economic Policy was passed. It talked about equal rights, economic justice, and government control over key industries. These ideas later helped shape India’s Constitution.
2. The Congress’s top fundraiser and election planner
Between 1934 and 1936, Patel became the main fundraiser and strategist for the Indian National Congress. He planned and financed the 1934 and 1936 elections. His efforts helped Congress win power in 8 provinces. Sometimes, he had policy disagreements with Nehru, but his focus on discipline and organisation kept the party strong.
3. His birth date was self-chosen
There are no official records of Patel’s birth. When filling his school form, he wrote 31 October 1875 as his birth date. That same date is now celebrated every year as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day). Some family members believed he was born in 1874, but the nation follows his chosen date.
4. The famous boil story
As a young man, Patel once treated a painful boil on his body himself because the barber was too scared. He calmly pierced it with a hot iron and did not flinch. This story became famous as a symbol of his bravery and willpower. It showed early signs of the strong leader he would become.
5. A self-taught lawyer and a devoted husband
Patel married Jhaverba when he was 18. He could not attend college, so he studied law on his own using borrowed books. Later, he built a small home in Godhra and started practising law. When his wife died of cancer in 1909, he did not remarry. He raised their two children, Maniben and Dahyabhai, with great care.
6. Founded a school in his father’s honour
While working as a lawyer in Borsad, Patel started a school called Edward Memorial High School. Later, it was renamed Jhaverbhai Dajibhai Patel High School after his father. This act showed Patel’s deep belief in education and his wish to uplift rural students.
7. Leader of the Non-Cooperation Movement in Gujarat
In 1920, Patel joined Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement. He travelled across Gujarat, recruited about 3 lakh Congress members, and collected ₹1.5 million in donations. He also helped people give up British goods and adopt Indian-made khadi. This turned him into a respected mass leader.
8. Burned his suits and promoted swadeshi
Patel set an example by burning his English suits and wearing only khadi. He even dressed his children in Indian-made clothes. This simple act inspired many to join the Swadeshi movement, making khadi a symbol of self-respect and independence.
9. Arrested before the salt march
Just before Gandhi’s Dandi March in 1930, Patel was arrested in Ras village for giving a speech against British rule. The trial was held without a lawyer or press. His arrest sparked protests all over Gujarat. Shops closed, and people came out in support, proving his influence among the masses.
10. He gave up his dream for his brother
Patel had saved money to study in England, but when the ticket arrived with shared initials “V.J. Patel,” he let his elder brother go instead. Years later, he studied law in London and topped his class at age 36. This showed his deep respect for family and patience in achieving his goals.
11. He continued court work after hearing of his wife’s death
While arguing a case in 1909, Patel got a note saying his wife had died. He quietly finished the case, won it, and only then shared the news. This rare moment revealed his emotional strength and sense of duty even in personal loss.
12. He refused jail leave for his brother’s funeral
When his brother Vithalbhai died in 1933, the British offered him a short release from jail to attend the cremation. Patel refused, calling it a political trick. He chose national duty over personal grief, proving his unshakable commitment to India’s freedom struggle.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was more than just a freedom fighter; he was a man of discipline, strength, and compassion. His lesser-known acts of courage, sacrifice, and responsibility remind us why he is called the Iron Man of India and why his legacy continues to unite the nation.
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