Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Essay on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for Children and Students

We have created two essays on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for your reference. You can also find some quotes of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the end of this page. Students and children can prepare an essay in English on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel using the information below.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Long Essay in English (500 Words)

Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, also referred to as Sardar Patel, was born into a land-owning family in Nadiad, Gujarat. His matriculation certificate stated that he was born on 31 October 1875. He was a popular statesman, barrister, and leader of the Indian National Congress. After India got independence, he has served in several respected government positions.

Early Life

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was raised in a traditional Hindu household. He attended a primary school in Karamasad and later went on to study in a high school in Petlad. He got married when he was 16 years old.

Patel passed an examination that enabled him to practise law, and in 1900 he set up a district pleader office in Godhra. His precision in identifying crucial evidence in complicated cases and ability to challenge police witnesses set him apart from the other lawyers during his time.

Sardar Patel went to London in 1910 to study at Middle Temple and enhance his career. He returned to India in 1913 and settled in Ahmedabad, thereafter. Patel went on to become one of the most distinguished barristers in criminal law at that time. He was not an active participant in political activities till 1917.

Political Career

In 1917, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was deeply influenced by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. He resolved to support Gandhi in the Indian struggle for independence.

He was a prominent member of the Gujarat Club, excelling in bridge championships there. After he decided to follow in the footsteps of Gandhi, he changed his appearance and way of life. He also quit the Gujarat Club and focussed his energy on the Indian independence movement.

Highlights of Patel’s Political Career

• Sardar Patel became the first Indian municipal commissioner in 1917.
• In 1924, he was elected the municipal president. During this time, his efforts in bringing about an improvement in civic life are noteworthy. Improvement in water supply, town planning, and sanitation transformed the municipality as a whole. Patel also worked for distress relief when the municipality faced calamities like famine and plague.
• Patel was noticed for his efforts in planning and supporting mass campaigns of farmers in Kheda, Gujarat in 1918. These campaigns were against the government that had mandated collection of full revenue taxes. The government had overlooked losses incurred by farmers through crop failures.
• In 1928, Patel supported landowners in their campaign against increased taxes in Bardoli. His leadership in the Bardoli campaign earned him the “Sardar” (leader) title.
• Patel believed that the motive of the Indian National Congress Party should be the attainment of dominion status for India, not independence. He also thought that armed revolution is not the way in which Indians should put forth their demands to the British.
• Like Gandhi, Patel also thought that if India was an equal member in the British Commonwealth, the country would be benefitted largely.
• He did not consider the unity of Hindus and Muslims as one of the necessary steps in the process of attainment of independence. He differed from Gandhi in this ideology.
• Although Patel was the leading candidate for the Indian National Congress presidency several times, he stepped back on the request of Gandhi.
• Patel was never the Prime Minister of India; however he served as the deputy Prime Minister, minister of information, minister of home affairs, and minister of states.
• He is known for his efforts in integrating princely states into the Indian Union in a peaceful manner. This was the cornerstone for the political unification of the country.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a chief architect of India’s independence struggle. He also sorted out post-partition problems and assisted in the rehabilitation of refugees with courage and conviction. His efforts in providing a strong administrative base to the Indian democracy will always be remembered.

This year, the Indian Railways has dedicated a Jan Shatabdi Express to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary. The train will run on the Muzzaffarpur-Ahemdabad-Muzaffarpur route.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Short Essay in English (200 Words)

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister of free India, was born on 31 October 1875 in a Gujarati family. Because of his strong will-power and capacity to take firm decisions, he was known as the ‘IRON MAN OF INDIA’.

After his schooling, he proceeded to England for higher studies. There he studied law and returned to India as a barrister. His excellent work in this field made him famous in Gujarat. Patel was deeply influenced by Gandhiji and entered active politics in 1917.

He had great sympathy for the peasants of India. Patel is also known as the hero of Bardoli Satyagraha. The people of Bardoli were very poor. They could not bear the increase in taxes mandated by the government. So he launched this Satyagraha for their cause.

Sardar Patel was imprisoned by the British government on several occasions as he was an active participant in civil disobedience movements led by Gandhi.

He maintained law and order during the riots that had erupted soon after the partition.

Sardar Patel’s biggest achievement was his encouragement to the kings of more than 500 states to give up their sovereignty. He merged the princely states into the Indian union in a peaceful manner.

His service to the nation will always be remembered. Patel died in the year 1950. With his passing away, the country lost an unparalleled leader.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Quotes

• The negligence of a few could easily send a ship to the bottom, but if it has the wholehearted co-operation of all on board it can be safely brought to port.
• A war based on Satyagraha is always of two kinds. One is the war we wage against injustice and the other we fight against our own weaknesses.
• Non-violence has to be observed in thought, word and deed. The measure of our non-violence will be the measure of our success.
• Happiness and misery are paper balls. Don’t be afraid of death. Join the nationalist forces, be united. Give work to those who are hungry, food to invalids, forget your quarrels.
• Today we must remove distinctions of high and low, rich and poor, caste or creed.
• My only desire is that India should be a good producer and no one should be hungry, shedding tears for food in the country.
• There is something unique in this soil, which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls.
• Take to the path of dharma – the path of truth and justice. Don’t misuse your valour. Remain united. March forward in all humility, but fully awake to the situation you face, demanding your rights and firmness.

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