Vallabhai Patel

Patel, Vallabhai

 

(also Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel). Born Oct. 31, 1875, in Karamasad, Gujarat; died Dec. 15, 1950, in Bombay. A leader and right-wing representative of the Indian National Congress.

Patel was educated as a lawyer in Great Britain. He met M. K. Gandhi in 1916 and then joined the national liberation movement of India. Patel was president of the Indian National Congress in 1931. After India gained independence in 1947, he served as deputy prime minister, minister of home affairs, minister of information, and minister of states in the government of the Indian Union.