From Hyderabad’s fall to Kashmir’s chaos: How Sardar Patel prevented India from falling apart
As India celebrates Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary on October 31, this piece first published in TOI in 1998, written by former J&K governor Jagmoha looks at Patel’s instrumental role in unifying India by integrating 561 princely states
The article ‘Steel of the Iron Man – Sardar Patel and Indian Integration’, written by former Jammu and Kashmir governor Jagmohan and published in The Times of India on November 6, 1998, reflects on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s pivotal role in unifying post-independence India. It emphasises Patel’s practical leadership in integrating 561 princely states into the Indian Union, contrasting his decisive approach with that of Jawaharlal Nehru. Patel’s strategic management of complex issues, such as Hyderabad and Kashmir, is highlighted as key to India’s political consolidation.
There are many "ifs" in history. No one can say with certainty what would have happened if a particular "if" had materialised. Hard evidence regarding the integration of 561 states indicates that Sardar Patel's approach would not have allowed the Kashmir problem to arise, and even if any problem had arisen, it would have been nipped in the bud.
Nehru was certainly a great leader, but in "resolute practicality", he was nowhere near Sardar Patel. Hudson, the author of Great Divide, quotes Lord Mountbatten as saying, "I am glad Nehru has not been put in charge of the new States' department, which would have wrecked everything." Gandhiji also shared this view, remarking, "The task of dealing with the princes was truly formidable, but I am convinced that the Sardar was the only person who could have coped with it."
There are many "ifs" in history. No one can say with certainty what would have happened if a particular "if" had materialised. Hard evidence regarding the integration of 561 states indicates that Sardar Patel's approach would not have allowed the Kashmir problem to arise, and even if any problem had arisen, it would have been nipped in the bud.
Nehru was certainly a great leader, but in "resolute practicality", he was nowhere near Sardar Patel. Hudson, the author of Great Divide, quotes Lord Mountbatten as saying, "I am glad Nehru has not been put in charge of the new States' department, which would have wrecked everything." Gandhiji also shared this view, remarking, "The task of dealing with the princes was truly formidable, but I am convinced that the Sardar was the only person who could have coped with it."