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"Indian culture is the basic source of Indianness. Indian culture has been developed from the fundamentals of the eternal –Sanatana Dharma. Firm belief in the reality of universal unity, commitment to do (always) anew, adaptation, cooperation and coordination in mutual practices –behaviours, keeping forbearance and tolerance –attitude-adjustment in a state of (natural) difference of opinion (or the way of working) as the nucleus, and continuously stepping forward for the large-scale welfare of humanity are the foremost characteristics of Indian culture –the identity of Indianness.” –The Author

India, at the time of her freedom from the British in 1947, was passing through one of the most critical times of her entire history. Along with achieving Independence, India was also partitioned into two. Resultantly, the nation was besieged by a number of serious problems. But the manner in which Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel sacrificed even his last breath to save India, is remarkable. Even those who differ from his views, cannot deny his unprecedented role in devising India’s political unity with dedication and his contribution in rebuilding the nation. Sardar Patel was full of the basic spirit
of Indianness.

Sardar Patel’s work for national unity, integrity and reconstruction are most significant. He brought more than 550 Princely States in unison through their merger into the Indian Union. Covering about 48% of pre-independent India, they were scattered all over the country. With firm determination and subtlety, keeping national interest intact and supreme, he annexed more than 600,000 square miles into the territory of India. India, despite its division, emerged for the first time as a big state according to the concept of One Nation, One State. For such a mammoth task of unification, the Sardar also occupies a significant place in the pages of global history.

For centuries, India had been a victim of foreign domination. Invaders ruined India, inflicting atrocities, several times with patronage from her own people. Therefore, reconstruction of India – its appropriate security, strong defence capability, integrity and along with economic and cultural progress, development in all walks of life were prerequisites to win back its lost glory. Through his historic statement issued on July 5, 1947 while taking over the task of integration of India, Sardar Patel himself made it clear. Calling on the rulers of the Princely States and his compatriots, the Sardar said:

“It is a lesson of history that owing to her political fragmented condition and our inability to take a united stand, India succumbed to successive waves of invaders. Our mutual conflicts and internecine quarrels and jealousies have in the past been the cause of our downfall. We cannot afford to fall into those traps again. We are on the threshold of independence. It is true that we have not been able to preserve the unity of the country entirely. To the bitter disappointment and sorrow of many of us, some parts have chosen to go out of India and to set up their own Government. But, there can be no question that despite this separation, a fundamental homogeneity of (our) culture (and values) and sentiment reinforced by the compulsive logic of mutual interests would continue to govern us. The safety and preservation of India demand unity and mutual co-operation between its different parts.”       

Along with progress in all walks of life, integrity and unity of the nation, continuity and preservation of national values and culture, stability and prosperity of the country were, and are intertwined with political unity. Sardar Patel started work for the integration of India wholeheartedly. The possibility of safety and prosperity of every Indian only through unity and integrity could reach through the message of Sardar Patel to the rulers of the Princely States. A few were, however, adamant and dreaming of independent rule. One of them was Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore. On his behalf, his Prime Minister –the Dewan Ramamswamy Aiyar, had by 1946 declared his intention of forming an independent State of Travancore. Travancore’s intention of independence was, in fact, propelled by Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Aiyar also had secret ties with the United Kingdom who supported an independent Travancore for their own selfish reasons.

Further, Hanwant Singh, the Maharaja of Jodhpur, was tilting towards Pakistan despite being a Hindu king and having a large Hindu population. He was lured into joining Pakistan by Jinnah who had offered him full port facilities in Karachi along with military and agrarian support. Hamidullah Khan, the Nawab of Bhopal, also wished to declare independence. He was very close to the Muslim League. But, all of them had to finally surrender before the Sardar’s firm determination.   

Even the ruler – the Nizam of the Princely State of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan, was continuously challenging India’s unity and integrity. The Sardar gave a number of chances to the State of Hyderabad to join the Indian Union gracefully. When all efforts failed, he eventually had to take a firm decision of sending troops to occupy Hyderabad under the command of Major General JN Chaudhuri. The Razakars surrendered on September 18, 1948 and, Hyderabad eventually became part of the Indian Union.

Muhammad Mahabat Khan Third, the Nawab of Junagarh, declared its accession with Pakistan. Along with this, he not only tried to obstruct the way of merger of six other small States of the region, but also staked claim over the territories of Babariawad and Mangrol and sent his troops to occupy both. The Sardar, instead of taking any direct step in the matter, chose to go forward under a planned way –an ingenious strategy keeping the aspect of stability of the region and the safety of the people as nuclei.

As the first concrete step, the Sardar made firm arrangements of security of surrounding areas of Junagarh. Indian armed forces were deployed and safety arrangements were tightened, with India shutting all her borders to Junagadh, stopping movement of goods, transport and postal services in the State. Any support from Pakistan was also not possible for Junagarh. It was another part of India’s strategy –the plan of Sardar Patel, who was, in fact, himself behind indirect support to people in revolt. The insurgency was so quick and forceful, that the ruler became completely helpless.

The Nawab fled along with his family members to Karachi on October 25, 1947. The Indian armed forces took over the administration of Babariawad and Mangrol on November 1, 1947. The Prime Minister –the Dewan of Junagarh Shahnawaz Butto, was helpless now and also fled to Pakistan on November 7, 1947. He sent a telegram to the Sardar accepting his advice about the merger of Junagarh into the Indian Union.

On November 9, 1947, India took over the administration of Junagarh. On February 24, 1947, through the course of a plebiscite in which 99% people, predominantly Hindus, voted to join India. Hence, Junagarh became an integral part of India. This ensured security, safety and development, not only of Junagarh State, but the entire Kathiawar region and the whole of West and North India.

Whatever portion of Jammu & Kashmir is under the control of India now is, undoubtedly due to the commitment of Sardar Patel for national unity, safety and integrity. Documents related to a long series of events pertaining to Jammu-Kashmir’s joining the Indian Union, efforts made for years in this regard, Sardar Patel’s policy, plan and steps taken are available. Despite a vast majority of the people of India wanting him to become the first Prime Minister of the country, he remained Deputy Prime Minister of India, which is highly commendable.

Had he been the Chief of the Government and taken necessary and quick decisions with free will according to his wisdom, skill, intellect, experiences and own methods, the problems of Junagarh and Hyderabad would not have turned so critical. Further, the problem of Jammu-Kashmir would not have escalated. It is for this reason; so many say if the Sardar would have been the first Prime Minister of India, the situation would be different toady.   

Indianness expects that keeping the evolutionary and humane characteristics of Indian culture as nuclei through the cooperation and coordination of fellow beings, in an atmosphere of harmony, efforts for large-scale welfare should be made. Without spilling a single drop of blood, simply through the course of persuasion, he unified the Princely States. Today’s youth must learn about those events, because it is the best reflection of Indianness.

—  Dr. Ravindra Kumar is a Former Vice Chancellor of CCS University, Meerut; he is also the Editor-in-Chief of Global Peace International Journal

[The view expressed here are personal and don’t reflect those of the government]