Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a Statesman, Barrister and India’s first Deputy Prime Minister. He was a senior leader and member of Indian National Congress. Sardar Patel had an important role to play during India’s freedom struggle and further integration as a united nation.
He was given the tittle of Sardar which means Chief in Urdu, Hindi and Persian.
Early Life
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in 1875 to Jhaverbhai Patel and Ladba in Nadiad, Gujarat. He came from Leva Patel Patidar community of Central Gujarat. He was one of the six children of his parents.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel passed his matriculation at age of 22 which was a late age. Nobody thought high of him during his youth. But he did not let that sweep away his aspirations to become a Barrister.
Career
He set up his first home in Godhra, Gujarat with his wife Jhaverba; and in few years he earned reputation of being a fierce lawyer in courts.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jhaverba had a daughter, Maniben and a son, Dahyabhai born in 1903 and 1905 respectively.
During those years he practiced law in courts of Borsad, Anand and Godhra and was founder of Edward Memorial High School in Bhorsad. The school later was renamed as Jhaverbhai Dajibhai Patel High School.
Struggle
In 1909, his wife passed away in Bombay due to cancer and he never remarried.
At the age of 36, he went to England and completed his 36 months course in 30 months. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel finished at top of his class from Middle Temple Inn, London.
After his return to India, he settled in Ahmedabad and became most successful Barrister in the city. At clubs, he grew fondness for Bridge and became skilled at playing it.
On December 15, 1950 at an age of 75 he passed away at Birla House, Bombay due to heart attack.
