Remembering key chapters in saga of accession and struggles of Sardar Patel that made India what it is today
In what can be called as a tall tribute to a tall leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Statue of Unity’ in honour of India’s ‘Iron Man’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat on Wednesday .
In his emotional speech, the Prime Minister said that had it not been for Sardar Patel, we would have needed visa to visit places in our own country. He said that there won’t be India that we see today.
The 182-metre structure of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is touted as the world's tallest. It is twice the height of the Statue of Liberty in the US and is built on Sadhu Bet, an islet near the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
The statue was unveiled on the occasion of the fourth Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), which is observed every year on the birthday of freedom fighter and India's first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
BJP President Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Deputy CM Nitin Patel, Madhya Pradesh Governor and former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel were present at the inauguration of the statue.
But how many of you know what exactly happened in the months leading to India’s Independence that changed the destiny of the country. Here’s what you must know about how 565 princely states were brought together for India as we know today:
All photos sourced from National Virtual Library of India’s Sardar Patel Portal
1. India@1947: Game of Thrones
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At the time of Independence, over 500 princely states formed about two-fifths of the territory and comprised a quarter of the population of colonial India. The decision to accede to either India or Pakistan was left to the rulers of the princely states.
2. Junagadh Jumble
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One of the biggest twists in the monumental tale of Unified India was Jungadh. On August 15, 1947, the Nawab of Junagadh acceded to Pakistan. It was only after the newspaper reports that the Government of India got to know about the accession.
After months of tension, Sardar Patel visited Junagadh on November 13, 1947 where he announced a plebiscite. On February 20, 1948, majority voted for India and thus Jungadh became part of India.
3. Sardar Patel and VP Menon: Architects of Unified India
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On June 25, 1947, the Cabinet of the Interim Government under Pt Jawaharlal Nehru accepted the proposal for creation of the ‘States Department’. This department’s sole purpose was to oversee the matter of ‘Accession of States’. Sardar Patel was made the head of this department and VP Menon was appointed as its Secretary.
4. Ultimate victory: When Kashmir acceded to India
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One of the bloodiest battles in accession saga, Kashmir can be called as a victory of not only Sara Patel but Pt Nehru also. On October 22, 1947, there were reports of around 5, 000 armed men pretending to be local tribals attacked Kashmir from Pakistan. They wanted to win Srinagar. Despite critical delay, at the end, Raja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, signed the Instrument of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir State in favour of India on October 26, 1947.
5. Battle for Hyderabad
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With revenue of Rs 26 crore, Hyderabad was one of the richest princely states in colonial India. At the time of Independence, Nizam Mir Usman Ali Khan Bahadur of Hyderabad issued a farman or a decree said that Hyderabad would neither accede India nor to Pakistan. After months of negotiations and war threats, Hyderabad finally acceded to India.
