Vallabhai Patel was born in Nadiad, Gujarat into a farmer's family. As a child, Vallabhai had to struggle much in his educational career. He started school rather late, and even when he did complete his schooling, no one had high hopes for this future-freedom fighter. Vallabhai worked to become a lawyer, saving enough money to journey to London in an attempt to become a barrister. At the age of 36 he studied at the Middle Temple Inn in London, and stood at the top of his class. He returned to Gujarat becoming a well-off and very sought-after lawyer. By the year 1918, Vallabhai Patel joined Gandhi's satyagraha movement, leaving his wealthy lifestyle. He took charge of many local positions within Ahmadebad, Gujarat. He resolved many previously fragile issues with an iron fist. He improved the drainage of Ahmadebad, extended the power supply, and made massive changes in the education system. He even solved many Hindu-Muslim conflicts. Patel was also extremely active in the freedom movement. He built his name as a freedom fighter by fighting for the rights of the Gujarathi farmers devastated by the lack of rains. Patel and the farmers protested against the british by refusing to pay taxes; the british succumbed to the demands, and granted the farmer's tax relief. By 1931 Vallabhai Patel became the President of the Congress Party. After Indian independence Patel played an even more important role. He stayed out of the election for Prime Minister, as per Gandhi's wishes; Javaharlal Nehru was elected Prime Minister. Patel over the course of his life became the Deputy Prime Minister of India and Union Minister for Home Affairs and the States for Nehru's cabinet.Patel also was responsible for integrating over five hundred princely states into the Indian Union, and played a leading role in writing India's constitution. He ensured utilizing force and the will of the people that three unwilling states: Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagadh, were integrated into the Indian Union. Patel also played a key role in halting the communal strife in post-partition India. After seventy-five years of hard work, Patel died of a heart attack. Even as he died, the government and Indian media ignored him and his many contributions to the Indian state. He became a source of inspiration for many Hindutwawadi politicians.
