Synopsis Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel consolidated the Country into one united whole in a unique manner after independence. He was a man of iron will and absolute fearlessness. He tackled the question of more than 500 State territories and principalities in a masterly strategic manner. He was a great statesman and humanitarian administrator who did social work by not spending tones of money in relief work but by a sense of thrift. The history of India would have been differently written had Sardar Patel not been the Deputy Prime Minister when India became independent in 1947. The triumvirate, Gandhiji, Nehru and Sardar Patel – The benevolent triumvirate it has been often called-was responsible for giving direction to the destiny of the country. Gandhiji won the independence for the country, Pandit Nehru gave foreign policy a shape and strength and Sardar Patel set about the task as Home Minister without fear or favour. He was one of those few men who knew what he wanted and knew also how to get it.