Mains Marathon

• Introduce by stating the contribution of Sadar Patel in Post-Independence India.
• Compare Sardar Patel’s contribution in uniting India with Bismark’s contribution by discussing the similarities and differences.
• Conclude suitably.

Answer

The Indian Independence Act of 1947 (based on the Mountbatten Plan) provided for the lapse of paramountcy of the British Crown over the Indian states. It also gave each of these rulers the option to accede to the newly born dominions India or Pakistan or continue as an independent sovereign state. Following the Partition, Sadar restructured the bureaucracy and integrated the princely States. Patel laid the foundation of political democracy by being an important member in the drafting of the Indian Constitution. Thus, he emerged an astute leader and a sagacious statesman acknowledged as the 'Iron Man' and a founder of modern India.

The reason why Sardar Patel is often compared with Bismark of Germany

Otto von Bismarck unified the many independent German states in 1871. Before its unification in 1871, Germany was not a nation; it was only a collection of about 300 states. Prussia was the only German state that could match the power and influence of the Austrian Empire. Otto Von Bismarck played a prominent role in the unification of the German states. Like Bismark did, Sardar Patel integrated 562 princely states with the Union of India and prevented the Balkanisation of the newly-independent country.

Similarities between Sadar Patel and Bismark in uniting their own country

Both were great leaders. Both worked for the unification of their respective countries, India and Germany. Both of them consolidated the disintegrated states in their countries. Bismark used political tactics and a famous policy called "Blood and Iron Policy". On the other hand, Patel used this Bismark's policy in the unification of Hyderabad and also used many tactics to unify Junagadh such as holding a plebiscite.

Difference between Sadar Patel’s policy and Bismark policy

Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) was the first Chancellor of unified Germany. Known as the 'Iron Chancellor', he unified small splinter German states to create a strong and prosperous nation. Bismark belived that the sheding of blood alone can unify these states and adopted the famous policy called "Iron and Blood". Bismark used all his tactics to create a war that he wanted to win and create a unified Germany. But Patel used his tactics by providing many offers to the kingdoms that ruled in those times so that they themselves became unified as India but when this did not work, he too went on war. Bismark didn't think more of peaceful means.

Sardar Vallavbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of free India, was different from the Bismarck because as against Bismarck's 36 states, Sardar unified 535 diverse princely States spread over an area at least ten times larger than Germany, integrating those into the newly formed Union of India smoothly within a least possible time frame. The geographical entity and identity of modern India which we are proud of today was possible largely because of him. He integrated India through nonviolence i.e., by peaceful methods.

Thus, although Sardar Patel and Bismark were great personalities, but Patel’s contribution was more significant than Bismark as India was and is still a very diverse country in terms of its religion, language, culture etc.