HT Archive: Sardar Patel dies aged 75

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel died on December 15, 1950, after suffering a heart attack in Bombay where he had gone on medical advice to escape the severe cold of Delhi.e)..

But, perhaps, to many of us here, he will be remembered as a great captain of our forces in the struggle for freedom and as one who gave us sound advice in times of trouble as well as in moments of victory, a friend and colleague and comrade on whom one could invariably rely, as a tower of strength which revived wavering hearts when we were in trouble..

During the 10 hours that Sardar Patels body remained with them, Bombays multitudes demonstrated the high esteem and great veneration in which the city in particular his second home and the country in general held Mahatma Gandhis right-hand man..

As the common people mournfully filed past in an endless stream the Sardars body as it lay in state, planes were arriving every few minutes from different parts of the country carrying a cross-section of the countrys leadership and condolence messages from far and near poured in..

Speaking with great emotion just before the pyre was lit, Rajagopalachari said it was his melancholic privilege to say a few words on the occasion as Sardar Patels oldest friend. ..

You might be interested in