why Sardar Patel known as the Ironman of India
Answers
There are many names given to Vallabhbhai Patel, the barrister from Gujarat who was at first reluctant to join politics, but went on to become one of the architects of modern India. The title ‘Iron Man of India’ was given to Sardar Patel for successfully persuading over 500 princely states to accede to the independent Indian union. While Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had in 1946 warned that no princely state could survive the strength of independent India’s army, Patel used more diplomatic, less abrasive methods, to go about convincing the rulers.
On his death anniversary, we remember why Patel was given the well-deserved title of ‘Iron Man of India’.
Patel, along with his trusted lieutenant VP Menon, presented the princely states with treaties and deals that struck a compromise. The two key documents that were brought forward were the Standstill Agreement and the Instrument of Accession.
for example, the states that enjoyed internal autonomy under the British rule signed a customised accession treaty that only gave three aspects of their rule to the government of India – defence, external affairs, and communications. Whereas the princely states which were, in effect, estates or talukas, where the majority of power was exercised by the British Crown, signed an accession treaty that gave the Government of India the same powers.