The man who held India together

Roportaj with Mallika Ravikumar on Sardar Patel’s steel resolve, grassroots leadership, and the stories that shaped a nation.

 

By Daanish Bin Nabi

As India prepares to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31st October, Roportaj sits down with author Mallika Ravikumar to discuss her latest book, Sardar Patel: Man of Iron, Words of Steel, published by Hachette India. The book presents fifty inspiring stories from Patel’s life -- stories that reveal not just the statesman, but the man behind the mantle.

In this episode, Mallika reflects on Patel’s early leadership, his moral courage, and the civilisational clarity that shaped his politics. From schoolyard boycotts to municipal battles, from village feuds to national unity, Patel’s journey is traced with nuance and warmth.

Daanish Bin Nabi: Mallika, for this book on Sardar Patel, were there any particular sources you relied on -- perhaps narratives or archives that have been underexplored?

Mallika Ravikumar: Thank you, Daanish, for inviting me to Roportaj. It’s especially meaningful now, with Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary approaching later this year. Yes, I drew from a wide range of sources. One of the most important was Patel’s correspondence -- ten volumes edited by Durga Das Basu, which include letters written by and to him. His speeches were another rich source; many have been recorded and archived. Then there are biographies -- some in Gujarati, some in English. The three-volume Gujarati biography by Narhari Parikh, a close associate of Patel, was invaluable. It’s been translated into English as well. Rajmohan Gandhi’s biography is another authoritative account. These early sources helped me build a textured understanding of Patel’s life.

Daanish Bin Nabi: In the early chapters, you describe Patel’s childhood, where we already see signs of leadership. Could you talk a bit about that?

Mallika Ravikumar: Absolutely. Patel was born in 1875 into a peasant family in Gujarat. His father had fought in the 1857 uprising, but was primarily a farmer. Patel’s older brother, Vithalbhai, was sent to a bigger school to learn English, and that inspired Patel. He believed that mastering English was the key to becoming a lawyer -- and a “big man,” as he put it. He changed schools multiple times to pursue that goal, finishing his matriculation at nearly 20, older than most of his classmates. Even in school, he was fiercely determined. There was a teacher who ran a monopoly on books and stationery -- Patel exposed him. Another teacher was cruel to a student who hadn’t paid his fees. Patel led a boycott, organised the students, and refused to return until the teacher apologised. He was a natural organiser-even then. He arranged food, water, and shelter for the students during the protest. That ability to galvanise support and manage logistics stayed with him throughout his life. He was known as the Congress party’s fundraiser and organiser-in-chief.

Daanish Bin Nabi: And he even helped a teacher win an election while still in school?

Mallika Ravikumar: Yes, he did. One of his teachers wanted to contest an election against a powerful figure. Patel campaigned for him and helped him win. That grassroots instinct—to build movements from the ground up -- was already present in his youth and remained central to his leadership style.

Daanish Bin Nabi: You also mention a story where Patel defied social norms during his son’s marriage, especially amid a feud between two villages. Could you share that?

Mallika Ravikumar: Yes, that’s a powerful example of his moral clarity. There was a longstanding rivalry between two villages -- Karamsad and another nearby. Families refused to marry across the divide. But when Patel’s son was to be married, he insisted on choosing a bride from the rival village. He said, “If we can’t even speak to our neighbours, how will we fight the British?” He saw these feuds as distractions from the larger struggle. Later, when a nephew wanted to marry across the same divide, Patel again stood firm, even when others in the community opposed it. He believed in setting an example—breaking petty barriers to build unity.

Daanish Bin Nabi: There’s another story you mention -- about Patel challenging an English commissioner during the municipal elections in Ahmedabad. What happened there?

Mallika Ravikumar: Yes, like many leaders of his time -- Rajendra Prasad, Nehru, Patel began his political journey at the municipal level. In Ahmedabad, he served on the Municipal Council for years. During a plague and later during floods, he was at the forefront of relief efforts. At one point, the commissioner illegally allotted a plot of land belonging to the municipality to someone who had funded the First World War. Patel challenged this. He wasn’t yet a national figure, but he stood up for fairness and legality. That episode shows his commitment to public service and his refusal to bend before power-- qualities that defined his leadership at every level.

Daanish Bin Nabi: You mentioned Patel’s early political work in Ahmedabad. There’s a fascinating story about how he challenged a British commissioner -- can you walk us through that?

Mallika Ravikumar: Yes, during the First World War, the British were recruiting men, collecting materials, and demanding money. Many princely states and local elites supported the war effort, hoping for favours in return. One such supporter in Ahmedabad received special treatment from the commissioner. The bias was obvious. Areas where white officers lived received clean water and better services, while local neighbourhoods were neglected. Patel didn’t respond with protest or slogans -- he did his homework. He gathered documents, uncovered secret communications, and built a solid case against the commissioner. Eventually, he presented this evidence to the authorities and succeeded in having the officer removed. This was one of the first instances where a senior British official was dismissed purely through legal and procedural means -- not through violence or agitation. It gave people hope that Indians, if organised and prepared, could challenge colonial power effectively.

Daanish Bin Nabi: And here’s something many people don’t know -- Patel didn’t initially like Gandhi. In fact, he was quite dismissive. Could you shed light on that transformation?

Mallika Ravikumar: Absolutely. When Patel returned from England as a barrister, he was very much under British influence. He wore suits, smoked cigars, and played bridge daily at the Gujarat Club in Ahmedabad. He charged the highest legal fees in town and lived in one of the largest houses. He wanted his children to learn English and follow the same path. His life was headed in a very different direction. Then Gandhi came to speak at the Gujarat Club. Patel was unimpressed. He asked, “Who is this man?” and refused to interrupt his bridge game. Gandhi spoke of ahimsa, harmony, and moral resistance -- ideas Patel initially found irrelevant to the fight against the British. But slowly, Patel noticed that his friends -- fellow lawyers and club members -- were drawn to Gandhi’s message. Out of curiosity, he began attending Gandhi’s speeches. One moment stood out: Gandhi was expected to begin a speech by hailing the British monarch. Instead, he tore up the resolution. That act of defiance struck Patel deeply. He saw Gandhi as a man of action -- not just words. Until then, Congress had relied on petitions and appeals. Gandhi was taking the struggle to the streets, turning it into a mass movement. Patel was energised. He went from mocking Gandhi to becoming one of his most loyal followers. Later, people even called him a “blind follower” -- he would act on Gandhi’s word without question. It was a complete transformation.

Daanish Bin Nabi: Before we return to the Gandhi–Patel relationship, I want to ask about the Bardoli Satyagraha. How did Patel become attached to that movement?

Mallika Ravikumar: The Bardoli Satyagraha was one of Patel’s defining moments. It took place in 1928, in Gujarat, where the British had imposed an unfair tax on farmers. Patel led the resistance. He mobilised the entire taluka -- village by village -- urging people not to pay the tax. This wasn’t easy. There was no media or social platforms to spread the word. He had to travel, persuade, and organise. Government officers came to confiscate land, property, and cattle. But Patel held the line. He told villagers, “Whatever happens, we will not pay.” His leadership was strategic and deeply personal. He understood the stakes and the risks, but he also knew that collective resistance could succeed. The success of Bardoli earned him the title “Sardar” -- leader. It was a moment when his grassroots organising met national recognition.

Daanish Bin Nabi: During the Bardoli campaign, Patel mobilised volunteers, students and issued daily instructions. But what’s remarkable is how the title “Sardar” emerged. Could you tell us how that came about?

Mallika Ravikumar: Yes, the Bardoli Satyagraha was a massive campaign. Patel had a team of volunteers, students, and organisers distributing leaflets and pamphlets daily. He travelled from village to village, giving speeches and galvanising support. The title “Sardar” wasn’t conferred by the British or any formal authority. It came from the people. As he led the movement, villagers began calling him “Sardar” -- the chief, the leader. It was a rare case where a title rose from below, not bestowed from above. And it stuck. From that moment on, he was known as Sardar Patel.

Daanish Bin Nabi: Let’s return to the Gandhi–Patel relationship. Around 1917 or 1918, the Kheda Satyagraha brought them closer. What was that movement about?

Mallika Ravikumar: Kheda, in Gujarat, was the site of another campaign against an unfair tax. Gandhi led the movement, and Patel was still learning the ropes. Unlike Bardoli, where Patel was the main leader, in Kheda he was in the wings -- observing, assisting, and absorbing Gandhi’s methods. He didn’t speak much during the campaign but was deeply involved in organising. He learned how to be assertive without being aggressive, how to resist with dignity. Kheda was his schooling in satyagraha. It shaped his approach and deepened his bond with Gandhi.

Daanish Bin Nabi: So this was the turning point in their relationship?

Mallika Ravikumar: Absolutely. From Kheda onwards, Patel was always by Gandhi’s side. They spent time together during the freedom struggle and even in jail. They shared a unique camaraderie -- both were Gujaratis, and they often joked in Gujarati idioms. Patel was one of the few who could pull Gandhi’s leg.

Daanish Bin Nabi: Chapter 12 of your book is titled Quick on the Comeback: Harness the Power of Wit. Patel seems to have had a sharp sense of humour, especially with Gandhi. Could you talk about that?

Mallika Ravikumar: Yes, Patel was incredibly witty, especially in Gujarati. He used idioms, proverbs, and quick retorts. There’s a story in the book where Gandhi was spinning the charkha with his left hand. Cotton was flying everywhere, and Patel said, “Why are you doing this?” Gandhi replied, “One must learn to be ambidextrous.” Patel quipped, “Please don’t advertise this. If you do, the entire Ashram will start spinning with their left hand just because Gandhi does it.” He could say things to Gandhi that others wouldn’t dare. He wore his heart on his sleeve and spoke his mind—always. Liaquat Ali Khan once said of Patel: “He meant what he said, and he said what he meant.” His thoughts, words, and actions were always in sync. Even with Gandhi, he never held back.

Daanish Bin Nabi: One of the interesting features of your book is the cartoon illustrations. What inspired that choice?

Mallika Ravikumar: That’s a great question. The idea struck me around December last year -- Patel’s 150th birth anniversary was approaching, and I wanted to mark it meaningfully. I pitched the idea to my publisher, Vaishali Mathur at Hachette India. She said, “There’s very little time, but let’s make it happen.” We wanted the book to be accessible, especially to younger readers. So I worked closely with my editor, Sayali Banerjee, and we decided to include cartoons to make the stories more engaging. The illustrations help simplify complex moments and bring Patel’s personality to life -- his humour, his resolve, his leadership. It’s not just for students, but for anyone who wants to connect with history visually.

Daanish Bin Nabi: Mallika, the book includes cartoon illustrations and comic-style chapters. What inspired that format?

Mallika Ravikumar: When my editor, Sayali Banerjee and I were discussing how to present the book-- especially for younger readers -- we wanted Patel’s story to reach a wider audience. Many people enjoy history when it’s presented visually. Others get put off by dense, chronological narratives. So we thought: why not break the monotony with comic-style storytelling? We brought in Mohit Soni, a brilliant illustrator, to create cartoon strips for some of the more dramatic chapters. He did a fantastic job. Even the chapters that aren’t in comic format include illustrations to help readers visualise the characters and connect with their faces. The goal was to make the book accessible -- especially for young readers who enjoy learning through visuals.

Daanish Bin Nabi: Before we wrap up, what lessons from Patel’s life do you think are most relevant today?

Mallika Ravikumar: That’s a great question -- and it’s central to the book’s structure. Each of the 50 chapters is built around a takeaway. For example, one chapter is titled Step Out of Your Comfort Zone. It tells how Patel did exactly that -- and then invites readers to reflect on how they might do the same. So yes, the book is a biography, but it’s also a guide. It’s about applying Patel’s life to our own. If I had to distil it into two key lessons, first, nothing is impossible. Patel unified India’s map in just two months, at age 72, with serious health issues. That kind of resolve is extraordinary. Second, keep your mind open. Patel initially disagreed with Gandhi. He was sceptical, even dismissive. But he allowed himself to listen, to engage, and eventually to transform. That openness -- to change, to persuasion -- is something we all need. It can turn sceptics into believers, and individuals into leaders.

Daanish Bin Nabi: Mallika, I truly appreciate your time. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you. Let me hold up your book once again so viewers can see it -- Sardar Patel: Man of Iron, Words of Steel, published by Hachette India. I hope many will read it and reflect on Patel’s life and legacy. Thank you again.

Mallika Ravikumar: Thank you, Daanish. It’s been a pleasure.