Vallabhbhai Patel: The Limitations of AntiColonial Nationalism and Electoral Politics

With the passage of time, major players in Indias freedom struggle have been viewed from different perspectives to evaluate their lasting impact on our nations history. Of those who earned the privilege of being true statesmen, this book focuses on one such archetypical Indian leader-Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel-to re-examine aspects of Indias nationalist movement in its fight against colonial rule. In the fight for independence, marked by feverish efforts towards fostering nationalism and unity, nationalism mutated from a goal to a tool and even a weapon in the hands of leaders from divergent backgrounds and ideologies. In examining the tensions between umbrella-nationalisms and mini-nationalisms, this book suggests why the problem of unity in diversity was and still remains unanswered. Patels idea of nationalism was defined both by his antecedents and the overpowering atmosphere of anti-colonialism then prevailing. Patel single-mindedly, often singlehandedly, and sometimes manipulatively, achieved a much-needed political unity for India. There were oversights: an inability to recognise the limitations of anti-colonial nationalism in fostering the kind of unity that Patel desired from a highly diverse India; or sometimes fostering unity at the expense of diversity. Nevertheless, the consolidated territorial map that emerged as India that is Bharat was by all accounts a monumental achievement. To assess Patels invaluable direction to Indian politics the author suggests that much more is revealed about Patel as politician and statesman by observing other leaders around him; for the story of Indias nationhood is the story of many-not one, or a few. Their biggest asset was that they could work in tandem, despite their differences.