December 15 is the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the man who gave modern India its shape.As Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, Patel “dedicated his life to weaving the country into a single thread. The grateful nation can never forget his unparalleled contribution to the creation of an undivided and strong Bharatvarsha.”While Patel’s role in getting princely states to accede to India post-Independence is well-known, there are many inspiring instances from his illustrious life that are not as widely known. From early on in his life, as a student and then as a lawyer, Sardar Patel showed qualities that would define his political life — an iron will, an unwavering commitment to principles, and unparalleled organisational abilities.Unlike the other two tallest leaders of the Independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, the Sardar does not leave behind carefully preserved reams of eloquent correspondence and speeches. It is through his actions that we get the clearest picture of Patel, and here are three instances from his life that shed light on some of his key qualities.How Vallabhbhai Patel earned the title of ‘Sardar’In 1926, the British government raised taxes in Bardoli of Gujarat, despite the region witnessing poor crops for a few years. A satyagraha was planned, where peasants would refuse to pay the taxes. Patel was put in charge of the movement. True to his style, the satyagraha was efficiently organised, with the region divided into subregions and volunteers in charge of each. When the British government cracked down on the protesters and put up their properties for auction, very few bidders turned up.Eventually, the taxes were lowered. Patel’s leadership and organisation skills were greatly admired, and he was given the title of Sardar. While most accounts say it was Mahatma Gandhi who first called him Sardar, others credit lawyer KF Nariman for it.The Time cover on Sardar PatelIn January 1947, Time magazine ran a cover story on Sardar Patel, titled simply, ‘The Boss’.Story continues below this adThe article says, “Patel has no pretensions to saintliness or eloquence or fanaticism. He is, in American terms, the Political Boss. Wealthy Hindu and Parsi industrialists (like C. H. Bhabha, Patel’s son’s employer, who has just become Works, Mines and Power Minister) thrust huge campaign funds into his hands. With their money, Congress Party patronage, and ceaseless work, he has built a machine that touches every one of India’s conflicts. In every fight his objective is the same—power for India.” In January 1947, Time magazine ran a cover story on Sardar Patel. (Photo: X/@AmritMahotsav)The Time article also says, “The first movement Patel ever organized was a student revolt against a teacher he accused of profiteering in pencils and paper.”The incident is mentioned in historian Rajmohan Gandhi’s book, ‘Patel: A Life‘, where he states about Vallabhbhai’s time in school, “Another teacher had to cease his illicit selling of notebooks and pencils to the boys after Vallabh organized a boycott.”When he let his brother go to England instead of himStory continues below this adAs a young man, Vallabhbhai’s dream was to go to England to study law. When he started working as a lawyer, he saved every penny he could to achieve this dream. However, at the last moment, when all his papers were in order, his older brother, Vitthalbhai, also a lawyer and whose initials were also VJ Patel, expressed the desire to go abroad himself. Without hesitation, Vallabhbhai accepted his elder brother’s demand, and also decided to meet his expenses while he studied.Vallabhbhai spoke about the incident in 1921. “My elder brother said to me, “I am older than you. Let me go to England. After I return you will get the opportunity to go, but I will not be able to go to England after you.” I gave my brother fifteen days’ time. On the fifteenth day he proceeded to England.”The 15 days were for Vitthalbhai to make up his mind fully. Gandhi writes in his book that once Vitthalbhai went to England, he finished “his course in 30 rather than the usual 36 months, “in the final examination he stood in the first class, obtaining the first rank and a prize of £ 50 in addition to six months’ concession”.”