Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a barrister, freedom fighter, and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress who played an important role in the independence of India. After Independence, He was the first Deputy Prime Minister and also Home Minister of India between 1947 and 1950. During the India-Pakistan War of 1947 and the political integration of India, he worked as the first Home Minister of India. Vallabhbhai Patel was popularly known or remembered as the “Iron Man of India” because he played a significant role in joining about 565 princely states in India.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Nadiad, Kheda district, and raised in the state of Gujrat. He was selected as the 49^th President of the Indian National Congress to prepare the party for elections in 1934 and 1937 while promoting the Quit India Movement. Vallabhbhai Patel concentrated on getting or joining the princely or self-governing states to join the Indian Union, renovating or modernizing the administrative services, and making a cross-party consensus or agreement on the important elements of the Constitution. The main achievement of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was to unite about 565 princely states to form the single union of India thus he was popularly known the *Iron Man of India”. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is also remembered as the ‘’patron saint of India’s civil servants” for playing an important role in making the modern All India Services system.

Vallabhbhai Patel died at an age of 75 years due to a massive heart attack on December 15, 1959, at Birla House in Mumbai. Our government celebrates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as the National Unity Day on October 31 every year across the country. This national day is also called as “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas” which was introduced by the Indian government in 2014.

The Indian government also created the Statue of Unity the world’s tallest statue that was dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31, 2018, which is around 182 meters (597ft) in height. The Statue of Unity is located on the Narmada River in Kevadia in the state of Gujarat.