Activities

Student name : Dhaval Muchhadiya

MOST HISTORICAL PARSON OF
INDIA

SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL

BORN : October 31, 1875
Place : Nadiad
Patel was born into a self-sufficient landowning family of
the Leva Patidar caste. Reared in an atmosphere of
traditional Hinduism, he attended primary school at
Karamasad and high school at Petlad but was mainly self-
taught. Patel married at the age of 16, matriculated at 22,
and passed the district pleader’s examination, which
enabled him to practice law. In 1900 he set up an
independent office of district pleader in Godhra, and two
years later he moved to Borsad.
 As a lawyer, Patel distinguished himself in presenting an
unassailable case in a precise manner and in challenging police
witnesses and British judges. In 1908 Patel lost his wife, who
had borne him a son and daughter, and thereafter remained a
widower. Determined to enhancehis career in the legal
profession, Patel traveled to London in August1910 to study at
the Middle Temple. There he studied diligently and passed the
final examinations with high honours.
 Returning to India in February 1913, he settled in Ahmadabad,
rising rapidly to become the leading barrister in criminal lawat
the Ahmadabad bar. Reserved and courteous, he was noted for
his superior mannerisms, his smart, English-style clothes, and
his championship in bridge at Ahmadabad’s fashionable
Gujarat Club. He was, until 1917, indifferent to Indian political
activities.
 Patel was the second candidate after Gandhi to the presidency of the 1929 Lahore session
of the Indian National Congress. Gandhi shunned the presidency in an attempt to
prevent the adoption of the resolution of independence and exerted pressure on Patel to
withdraw, mainly owing to Patel’s uncompromising attitude toward the Muslims;
Jawaharlal Nehru was elected. During the 1930 Salt Satyagraha (prayer
and fastingmovement), Patel served three months’ imprisonment. In March 1931 Patel
presided over the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress. He was imprisoned in
January 1932. Released in July 1934, he marshaled the organization of the Congress
Party in the 1937 elections and was the main contender for the 1937–38 Congress
presidency. Again, because of Gandhi’s pressure, Patel withdrew and Jawaharlal Nehru
was elected. Along with other Congress leaders, Patel was imprisoned in October 1940,
released in August 1941, and imprisoned once more from August 1942 until June 1945.
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