Issued by India

Issued on Oct 30, 2025

Issued for : India Post is proud to release a commemorative stamp on the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, honouring his unmatched contributions to India’s unity and nation-building. This special issue stands as a tribute to the Iron Man of India, whose legacy continues to inspire generations. Through this stamp, India Post not only celebrates a national icon but also reaffirms its commitment to preserving and promoting the rich heritage and history of our nation.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Suresh Kumar

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 202800

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel

Born on 31 Oct, 1875 at Nadiad, Gujarat, India

Died on 15 Dec, 1950 at Mumbai, India

About : 

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat, was a pivotal figure in India’s struggle for independence and the country’s subsequent integration. Known as the “Iron Man of India,” Patel’s tenacity, leadership and vision played a crucial role in unifying a fragmented nation post-colonial rule.
• Patel’s political journey began in earnest during the Kheda Satyagraha of 1918, where he mobilised farmers against oppressive taxation during a famine. His successful leadership earned him respect and recognition among the masses, and he emerged as a key figure in the Indian National Congress.
• In the 1920s and 1930s, Patel worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi, participating in various movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement. He became known for his pragmatic approach, often balancing the ideals of non-violence with the harsh realities of colonial rule.
• Patel’s contributions to India’s independence were substantial. His organisational skills were instrumental in establishing the Indian National Congress as a formidable political force. As a leader, he worked tirelessly to unite different factions within the Congress and forge alliances with various groups.
• One of Patel’s significant achievements was the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928, where he successfully led farmers in a non-violent resistance against increased land revenue assessments. His leadership in this movement solidified his reputation as a champion of the agrarian community and demonstrated his ability to galvanise support among ordinary citizens.
• In 1942, Patel was imprisoned during the Quit India Movement, where he advocated for complete independence from British rule. His unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom made him one of the key architects of India’s liberation.
• After India gained independence on August 15, 1947, Patel faced the monumental task of unifying over 500 princely states into a single nation. His vision was clear: a united India was essential for stability and progress. As the first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, Patel employed a combination of diplomacy and firmness to persuade reluctant rulers to accede to India.
• His most notable achievement was the integration of states like Hyderabad and Jammu & Kashmir. Patel’s strategy often involved negotiations, but he was not afraid to use military action when necessary, exemplified by the police action in Hyderabad. His efforts culminated in the formation of a cohesive and united India, ensuring that the diverse states would coexist under a common national framework.
• Patel also championed social reforms, advocating for the upliftment of women and marginalised communities. He understood that a nation could only thrive if its citizens enjoyed equal rights and opportunities. His initiatives in education and rural development sought to empower the underprivileged and promote national integration.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel passed away on December 15, 1950, leaving behind a legacy of unity and resilience. His contributions to India’s independence and nation-building have made him a revered figure in Indian history. In recognition of his efforts, Patel was posthumously awarded the title “Sardar,” meaning leader or chief, which symbolises his leadership qualities and his role as a unifier.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel remains an enduring symbol of unity, determination, and visionary leadership. His life’s work not only contributed to India’s independence but also laid the foundations for a unified and progressive nation. As India continues to navigate the complexities of a diverse society, Patel’s principles of tolerance, unity, and resilience are more relevant than ever. His legacy as the Iron Man of India will forever inspire those who seek to create a better, more integrated world.
• Text : Based on information provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 31, 2016

Issued for : On the occasion of birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Department of Posts is pleased to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on “National Unity Day – Salute to the Unifier of India”.

Credits :
Stamp / FDC / Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1000 Paise

Stamps Printed : 410220

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Born on Oct 31, 1875 at Nadiad, Bombay Presidency, British India [now in Gujarat, India]

Died on Dec 15, 1950 at Bombay, Bombay State, India

About : 

• National Unity day (also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is celebrated on 31^st of October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The spirit behind observing the National Unity day is to foster and reinforce our dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of our nation. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day was introduced by the Government of India in 2014 with aim of paying tribute on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was instrumental in keeping the nation unified.
• A pledge taking ceremony called “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Pledge” is organised in all government offices, public sectors and public institutions every year on this occasion. The objective of pledge taking ceremony is to bring realization among Indian citizens of the importance of national integrity in defeating the threats to unity and security of the nation.
• As part of the various events proposed to be held during the celebrations, a “Run for Unity” is also being organised in the National Capital and other places of the country, involving people from all sections of the society to spread the message of national unity in every part of the nation and the society. In order to boost the sentiments that our nation will not countenance any force that seeks to threaten the unity, integrity and security of our nation, a ceremonial parade, including a March Past by Police and Para-Military Force personnel is also organised at various places in the country every year. The purpose of organizing such programs is to promote national integration among citizens of India as well as maintain unity and integrity of the country.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India was the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the country. He was born at 31^st October, 1875, in a small village in Nadiad, Gujarat. From his childhood itself, he was known for his indomitable courage.
• Inspired by the work and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel joined India’s struggle for Independence. He was one of the important social and political leaders of India who played an important role in India’s struggle for freedom. He was elected as Ahmedabad’s Municipal President in 1922, 1924 and 1927. He was elected as Congress President in 1931. He played key roles in organising peasant’s movements in Kheda, Borsad and Bardoli in Gujarat and promoted the Quit India Movement against the British regime. He organised relief camps for refugees in Punjab and Delhi.
• His strength of character, the sharpness of his mind, his organizing skills, and energy were instrumental in achieving the freedom of India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel worked hard to make India as Union of India (Ek Bharat). He also requested the people of India to live together by uniting in order to create Shresth Bharat (Foremost India). His dedication towards national integration was completely uncompromising in order to make a newly liberated united country. Because of his dedication towards the unity in country, and his political wisdom and foresight, he was able to integrate more than 500 independent princely states in 1947 to 1949 through the Independence Act 1947. Sardar Patel is also affectionately remembered as the “Patron saint of India’s civil servants” as he established the modern All-India Services system. For his services to the nation Sardar Patel was conferred with Bharat Ratna in 1991. He was a man of courage and determination and in the true sense the ‘Iron Man of India’.
• Text : Based on the material available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 27, 2008

Issued for : India Post is proud to issue a set of two commemorative postage stamps on the great institution, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy that shapes the characters of Police Officers in the country.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 & 2000 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each

Miniature sheet : 0.2 Million

Printing Process : Wet–offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, spread over 275 acres on a scenic landscape stands tall on the Hyderabad–Bangalore highway. The Academy is not only a premier police training institution of the country but one of the best police training institutions of the world.
  
• Until the country became independent, the officers of Indian Police (IP) received probationary training in their respective provinces. After independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Union Minister envisioned the need for a central training facility for imparting common induction training to all those joining the Indian Police Service. Thus came to be established, the Central Police Training College (CPTC) at Mount Abu (Rajasthan) on September 15, 1948, the institution was rechristened as National Police Academy in 1967, and finally named after its founder, as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), in 1974.
  
• The dream that was conceptualized by the Iron Man of India in the year 1948 took root in the quaint hills of Mount Abu and shifted to a dry and rocky terrain of Hyderabad in the year 1975.
  
• Watered with the hard work, sweat and toil of its alumni and every member of the NPA family, the Academy has today blossomed into an oasis of greenery and an institution of excellence in training.
  
• With the combined efforts of the visionary leadership the Academy along with their respective teams, the Central Police Training Centre at Abu took shape and slowly but surely acquired the character of an institution. On transfer to Hyderabad in the year 1975, it started functioning in its effective fullness giving due and desired attention, not only to achieving great heights in training but also improving the ambience and the infrastructure of the Academy premises.
  
• The campus, as it stands today, is the result of the tireless efforts of each member of the NPA family over the years that have cheerfully performed Shramdan, and contributed in ways big and small, to make this Academy better than the Best. The permanent abode of the Indian Police Service sprawls majestically astride the Hyderabad-Bangalore high-way. It is today a landmark in Asia’s fastest growing city, Hyderabad. The strength of this institution lies in its ability to change and to adapt itself in tune with changing times. The Academy has always stood up to meet the challenges posed by the dynamic and complex world of crime and criminals. Training has traveled a long way from the days when riding, shooting, law and drill was all that was considered necessary for an officer. Not only has the indoor training undergone radical changes to keep abreast with the latest but the outdoor training also has been moulded very scientifically so as to earn maximum gains and minimize injuries.
  
• The Academy deems it a primary responsibility to prepare leader for the Indian Police, who will lead the force with courage, uprightness, dedication and a strong sense of service to the people.
  
• The Academy remains in constant endeavour to equip the officer trainees with knowledge and skill needed for professional and efficient policing, and inculcate in them, such values as would help them serve the people better. In particular, the Academy tries to inculcate integrity of the highest order, sensitivity to aspirations of the people in a fast-changing social and economic milieu, respect for human dignity, and liberal perspective of law and justice.
  
• The Academy conducts over 30 need-based thematic and refresher courses every year, for senior officers of different ranks. Prominent amongst the courses conducted are programmes on National Security; Day-to-Day Policing and Internal Security; Cyber Crimes; Economic Crimes and Organised Crime etc.
  
• The Academy is also a centre for research studies on police subjects and has expanded its resource base through tie-ups with similar institutions within and outside the country.
  
• The Academy has state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities for training. The library of the Academy has a rich collection of nearly 1,00,000 books besides a valuable stocks of training films, video cassettes and CD-ROMs on police and related subjects like sociology, law, criminology, forensic science and medicine, managements etc.
  
• The Academy also has a well-equipped forensic science laboratory besides a computer forensic lab, having facility for acquisition and analysis of ambient data from all types of storage-media and recovery of passwords, etc. The Academy also has a phonetic language laboratory for teaching regional languages to the probationers. A Gymnasium, an Olympic size Swimming Pool, a Firing Range and a Riding ground are among other valuable infrastructural assets of the Academy.
  
• With a view to enabling all police training institutions to draw upon each other’s resources and specializations, the Academy has established a computerized network (POTNET) connecting all Police Training Colleges and Academies of the various States and Central Police Organisations with the NPA as its hub. This network acts as an effective means of communication between various police training institutions in the country, enabling them to share the course designs, teaching material, training calendars and all other information relating to training through online communication, with one another.
  
• More than 4000 leaders of the Indian Police have passed out of the portals of this great institution. The responsibility that the vision of Sardar Patel puts on the shoulder of each young IPS officer passing out of the Academy stands proud like a mother smiling inward with a sense of pride and valour. At the age of 60, the Academy stands proud like a mother smiling inward with a sense of pride and happiness of having sent brave and brilliant sons and daughters in the service of the nation that have done the service and the Academy proud. The Academy’s alumni are today leading all the state police and paramilitary forces of the country with clan.
  
• The Alma-Mater of the Indian Police Service has grown and prospered. In the year 1948, in a message sent to the CPTC, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel said of the CPTC “It has to build itself and build others. It has to create amongst its alumni that love and reverence for their alma-mater which are at once the pride and heritage of an educational institution”. He ended his message with a blessing that has ever since being with the academy saying “May it secure all this from the devotion and attention of its inmates”.
  
• The spirit of the Sardar’s Message reverberates through every corridor and lane of the Academy. These words have ever since been a source of inspiration for the Academy to constantly strive for excellence.
  
• In recognition of its outstanding services, the Academy was awarded the President’s Colours on its 40^th Anniversary on September 15, 1988.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 15, 1997

Issued for : The Department of Posts is privileged to issue a special commemorative stamp to mark the 47^th death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Design : The First Day Cover design depict Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel alongwith Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the All India Congress Committee meeting held in Bombay in July 1946.

Credits :
Stamp : Sankha Samanta
First Day Cover : Book on ‘Mahatma Gandhi & His Life in Picture‘
Cancellation : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Block of 4 Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Single Colour

Denomination : 200 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Indegenous un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in reels 47 cms.

Stamps Printing : 0.4 Million

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel

Born on Oct 31, 1875 at Nadiad, Gujarat, Bombay Presidency, British India

Died on Dec 15, 1950 at Bombay, Bombay State, India

About : 

• Sardar Patel became Chairman of the Congress Parliamentary Sub-Committee in 1936 and ably guided the functioning of the Congress ministries in various provinces. An active participant in the Individual Satyagraha in 1940, he joined the “Quit India” movement in 1942 and was detained in Ahmednagar Fort and Yeravada Jail. A very able negotiator, he played a vital role in the discussions with Cripps in 1942, in the Simla Conference in 1945 and during the Cabinet Mission talks in 1946.
• Joining the Interim Government in September 1946, Vallabhbhai became the Minister in charge of Home Affairs, Information and Broadcasting. In the disturbed months that followed it was his firm hand, more than anything else, that maintained order in the country. In Independent India, he became the Deputy Prime Minister and looked after the Home and the States Departments.
• The Sardar‘s finest hour was when he accomplished the integration of the Indian States with the Union. For him, integration meant not only accession by the rulers but also transfer of their power to the people. India has been unified as never before, and the saga of this achievement has passed into history.
• A stern realist and a great organiser, the Sardar was a man of iron will who never allowed personal sentiments to interfere with his duties to the nation. His country was his first love and in the words of his daughter, ‘To the last, he was thinking of the nation.‘

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 28, 1985

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to bring out a set of commemorative postage stamps on the Centenary of the Indian National Congress.

Description of Designs : The se-tenant set prepared by India Security Press, Nashik Road, based on a design by C.R. Pakrashi, presents a composite picture, depicting the portraits of A.O. Hume & 60 Congress Presidents starting from W.C. Bonnerjee, to the present President, Shri Rajiv Gandhi. The First Day Cover has been designed by C.R. Pakrashi. The cancellation has been designed by Nenu Bagga.

Type : Se–tenant Block of 4 Stamps, Postal Used

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 100 Paise each

Overall size : 9.66 x 8.12 cms.

Printing size : 9.66 x 8.12 cms.

Perforation : 14 x 14

Paper : Unwatermarked adhesive stamp paper

Number printed : 15,00,000 each

Number per issue sheet : 12

Printing process : Photogravure

Printed at : India Security Press

About : 

• The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 and in the same year, the first session was held in Bombay under the Presidentship of Shri W.C. Bonnerjee. The illustrious sons of India like Dadabai Naoroji, Surendra Nath Bannerjee and Madan Mohan Malaviya laid the foundation of this organisation.
  
• From the very beginning, the aim of the Congress was to establish Parliamentary institutions in the country. Renowned Constitutional experts like Dadabai Naoroji, Surender Nath Bannerjee and Gopal Krishan Gokhale, worked untiringly for setting up Parliamentary system of Government and for the growth of a secular, multilingual and multi-religious nationalism. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo Ghosh, Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Paul were the first to adopt the posture of radical nationalism and invoked their countrymen to adopt a more dynamic plan of action. Lok Manya Tilak was the first to declare “Swaraj is my birthright”. In 1929, Jawaharlal Nehru presided over the Lahore session of the Congress. In this Session, the Congress declared complete freedom as its ultimate goal. During the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930-31 and 1931-32, the Indians undertook agitations on the appeal from Congress and these movements shook the foundations of the foreign rule in India.
  
• The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi could feel the pulse of the nation. He asserted that to achieve freedom, it was essential to create political awakening among the masses and train them for a struggle through non–violence against the foreign domination. Thus, non-violence became the basic creed of the Congress. The historic Karachi Session of Congress in 1931 was held under the Chairmanship of Vallabh Bhai Patel in which the famous resolution of fundamental rights was adopted.
  
• In the Lucknow Session 1936, Nehru formulated the foreign policy for the country based on working for peace and freedom, support for freedom struggle elsewhere and raising our voice against colonialism.
  
• In the historic meeting of All India Congress Committee, held in Bombay in 1942, presided over by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan ‘Do or Die’ and people of India stood as one force to fight the British Rule. Their struggle bore fruit in 1947 and India attained the long cherished independence.
  
• Smt. Indira Gandhi as Congress President in 1959 and from 1978 to 1984 worked for the cherished goal of a socialistic society. Decisions of her Government like Nationalisation of Banks and insurance companies, abolition of privy purses etc. were all aimed at removing economic disparity and increasing social control over the means of production and distribution. Great leaders have nourished and contributed to its growth and maturity.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 31, 1975

Issued for : The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department feels honoured to issue a special commemorative stamp on 31 October, 1975 on the occasion of birth centenary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Grey

Denomination : 25 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 X 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.36 X 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Watermark : Unwatermarked paper

Number printed : 30,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing process : Photogravure

Designed and printed at : India Security Press

Name : Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel

Born on Oct 31, 1875 at Nadiad, Gujarat, Bombay Presidency, British India

Died on Dec 15, 1950 at Mumbai, India

About : 

• Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 at Nadiad in a typical peasant family of Gujarat. He passed the District Pleader’s Examination in 1900 and joined the legal profession at Godhra. Later, he became a barrister from the Middle Temple, practised at Ahmedabad bar and distinguished himself as a criminal lawyer. He made his debut in politics by joining in 1915 the Gujarat Sabha. The Godhra Session of Gujarat Sabha was presided over by Gandhiji in 1917. Vallabhbhai Patel was its Secretary. Thus began a long and fruitful association between the two.
  
• In 1918 Vallabhbhai came to the rescue of the sufferers of a devastating famine and, conducted, along with Gandhiji, the “no-tax” campaign in Kaira district for the suspension of the revenue assessment. In 1919, he organised demonstrations against the Rowlatt Bills, sold proscribed literature and published the Satyagraha Patrika. When Mahatma Gandhi gave the call for Non-cooperation, Vallabhbhai joined the movement by giving up his lucrative practice at the bar. In 1923, he, along-with his brother Vithalbhai, became involved in the Flag Satyagraha at Nagpur. The same year he resisted the Bombay Government’s levy of punitive tax on the people of Borsad and ultimately forced its withdrawal.
  
• Elected President of the Ahmedabad Municipality in 1924, Vallabhbhai introduced Gujarati as the official language and Khadi as the uniform in the municipal establishment. In 1928, he led the famous peasants’ agitation against an increase in land revenue at Bardoli and won a signal victory. Acknowledging his able leadership, Gandhiji described him as the “Sardar“. He later participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and suffered imprisonment. In 1931, at the Karachi session, the Sardar was elected President of the Congress.
  
• Declining the leadership of the Congress Ministry in Bombay, Sardar Patel became Chairman of the Congress Parliamentary Sub-committee in 1936 and ably guided the functioning of the Congress ministries in various provinces. An active participant, in the Individual Satyagraha in 1940, he joined the “Quit India” movement in 1942 and was detained in Ahmednagar Fort and Yeravada Jail. A very able negotiator, be played a vital role in the discussions with Cripps in 1942, in the Simla Conference in 1945 and during the Cabinet Mission talks in 1946.
  
• Joining the Interim Government in September 1946, Vallabhbhai became the Minister in charge of Home Affairs, Information and Broadcasting. In the disturbed months that followed it was his firm hand, more than anything else, that maintained order in the country. In Independent India, he became the Deputy Prime Minister and looked after the Home and the States Departments.
  
• The Sardar‘s finest hour was when he accomplished the integration of the Indian States with the Union. For him, integration meant not only accession by the rulers but also transfer of their power to the people. India has been unified as never before, and the saga of this achievement has passed into history.
  
• A stern realist and a great organiser, the Sardar was a man of iron will who never allowed personal sentiments to interfere with his duties to the nation. His country was his first love and in the words of his daughter, ‘To the last, he was thinking of the nation‘.

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Issued by India

Issued on Sunday, Oct 31, 1965

Issued for : The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department feels honoured to issue a special commemorative stamp on October 31, 1965, on which day the nation will observe the nineteenth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Suede Grey

Denomination : 0.15

Overall Size : 3.3 X 2.9 cms.

Printing Size : 2.99 X 2.52 cms.

Perforation : 13½ x 14

Watermark : Printed on unwatermarked paper

Number Printed : 2 million

Set : 42 Stamps per issue sheet

Printing Process : Photogravure

Designed and Printed at : India Security Press

Name : Vallabhbhai Patel 

Born on Oct 31, 1875 at Nadiad, Kheda, Gujarat, India

Died on Dec 15, 1950 at Mumbai, India

About : 

• Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 at Nadiad in a typical peasant family of Gujarat. He grew up as the fourth in a family of six children. As a boy, he went to the local school, but could also ‘plough the land straight and deep.’ Like his brother, Vithalbhai, he chose the legal profession, but practiced independently as a successful district pleader till 1910, when he left for England to qualify as a barrister-at-law. Married at 16, he lost his wife when he was barely 33, after she had born him a daughter and a son.
• On return from England, he built up a flourishing practice at Ahmedabad as a criminal lawyer. It so happened that Gandhiji, who returned from South Africa in 1915, was invited to preside over the Godhra Session of the Gujarat Sabha, in 1917. Vallabhbhai Patel was its Secretary. The two men met never to part again. Sardar Patel was elected President of the Ahmedabad Municipality in 1924 by which time he had given up his lucrative practice at the bar to devote his entire time to public service. He galvanised the Gujarat provincial Congress Committee into a powerful unit of the National Congress, to which he was from then on, a tower of strength. He was elected President of the Congress at the Karachi Session in 1931. He suffered incarceration on several occasions and spent long years in prison fighting for the freedom of the country. His health broke down but his spirit remained undaunted and when India became independent he tackled the many problems which beset the country with tremendous energy and zeal. Indeed he proved to be one of the most outstanding statesmen of the century. He died in harness as the Home Minister of free India on December 15, 1950.
• The ideal of a free, strong, united India ever remained a consuming passion with this practical realist. A man of unbending will, his thought and action revolved round the life and example of Mahatma Gandhi. A powerful organizer and an unerring judge of men, he never failed to inspire confidence in the people. Of inflexible purpose and endowed with a statesmanlike clarity of thought, he had a way with matters of the State. If he had an iron hand he used it to hammer out a new nation, to restore peace and to strengthen unity. His indomitable will was born out of intense self-discipline. Forthright and fearless, he always knew his mind. Above all, he was a man of action without whom the history of Modern India might well have been different. 
• His finest hour was when he accomplished the integration of the Indian States with the Union. For him, integration meant not only accession by the rulers but also transfer of their power to the people. India has been unified as never before, and the saga of this achievement has passed into history. 
• His country was his first love and in the words of his daughter, ‘To the last, he was thinking of the nation‘. For all the toughness of his spirit and the rock-like firmness of his decision, one could yet say :
  • His life was gentle; and the elements
    So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
    And say to all the world, ‘This was a man’.

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