Sardar Patel death anniversary: Remembering India’s ‘Iron Man’

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel seen with Mahatma Gandhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to India's first home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on his 71st death anniversary on Wednesday. (Express Archive)

Patel is credited with efforts that led to the merger of a large number of princely states with the Union of India after independence. In this picture, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru seen with Sardar Patel. (Express Archive)

Some of the members of the central cabinet signing copies of the Constitution. (From left to right): Jairamdas, Daulatram, minister for food and Agriculture, Dr. John Matthai, Rajkumari Amrit kaur and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Behind Sardar Patel is seen Jagjivan Ram, the then Union Labour Minister. (Express Archive Photo)

President R Venkataraman conferred 'Bharat Ratna Award' posthumously on Late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to Vipin Dayabhai Patel, grandson of Sardar Patel at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on July 12, 1991. (Express Archive)

Often called the ‘Iron Man of India’, Patel served as India’s first home minister and deputy prime minister. (Express Archive)

Advocate Adhik Shrirodkar garlanding a statue of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. (Express Archive)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks at the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue, located in Gujarat. (Express Archive)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday paid rich tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary.

A political activist and lawyer, Patel was instrumental in unifying the country and helped bring together disjointed territories after the country’s painful partition. (Express Photo)