Vadodara: He is credited with integrating 562 princely states in the Union of India. But, for Sardar Patel in whose memory world’s tallest statue - the ‘Statue of Unity’ – is being unveiled at Kevadiya Colony on October 31, this was a Herculean task.The popular version of history suggests that annexation of princely states like Junagadh and Hyderabad, which were ruled by Nawabs and Nizams, had faced major hiccups while the others like Bhavnagar and Baroda merged with the Union of India smoothly.But in 1939, India’s Iron Man had faced two major attacks in Baroda and Bhavnagar. Were this attacks state sponsored? A soon-to-be released book penned by historian Rizwan Kadri will dig out these little known facts. The attack in Baroda is said to be the fall-out of Praja Mandal movement, started by Sardar Patel against the ruler’s mismanagement of the state.“In 1921, Sardar had become president of Gujarat Provincial Congress Committee and was trying to infuse nationalist activity in Baroda state. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, although was pro-British, shared a good rapport with Sardar saheb. But as Sayajirao Gaekwad was ailing, the reins of the state were in control of Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, who later succeeded Sayajirao on February 7, 1939,” said Kadri.By then, on October 29, 1938, the Baroda State Prajamandal had organized its session at Bhadran (in present day Anand) which was part of Baroda state. It was presided over by Sardar. “Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad did not share his grandfather Sayajirao’s views about Sardar Patel,” said Kadri, adding that in 1939 clashes had started between people and rulers of the princely states.“In those princely states, where there was mismanagement, Sardar had started Prajamandal movement so that people take over the reins of the state,” said Kadri.“On January 20, 1939, Sardar was coming to Baroda and there was excitement everywhere. Students of Baroda College had decided to raise funds and gift him a purse. But the college principal dissuaded them from gathering funds, collecting and gifting it to Sardar Patel,” he said.When Sardar stepped down from train at Vadodara railway station at around 5pm along with Darbar Gopaldas, Mridula Sarabhai and Mahadev Desai, the air was filled with chants of ‘Sardar ni jay ho’ while volunteers of Praja Mandal gave him a grand welcome.“But when Sardar’s procession was reaching Mandvi, some notorious elements raised black flags and raised slogans ‘Sardar go back’. Soon, heavy stone pelting started and glasses of the vehicle in which Sardar was travelling were damaged. Cushions inside the vehicle were used to save Sardar and Mahadev Desai from this heinous attack while a group of nearly 200 notorious youth had already burnt down banners welcoming Sardar and that of the Congress,” he said.“The state police had remained inactive even as the mandap where Sardar was going to address the gathering was burnt down. The situation got out of control. On the second day, the city was handed over to the military,” he said, adding that riots had continued in Baroda state on January 21 and January 22 as well.Interestingly, the then Baroda state on April 7, 1939 had issued an official notification informing about appointment of a committee to conduct a judicial inquiry into the disturbances in connection to Sardar’s visit. “Although this inquiry commission was formed, it’s functioning and report are not known,” he said.Ironically, statements of individuals who were witness to this incidents, were recorded. “We find this record of statements in K M Munshi’s papers,” said Kadri.Death penalty for attacker: In princely state Bhavnagar too,, Sardar Patel had escaped a heinous attack on him in the same year when he had come under attack in Baroda.“This assault on Sardar Patel is known as Nagina Masjid case,” said historian Rizwan Kadri, who recently received the judgement passed by the then district judge of Bhavnagar state with the help of charity commissioner of Gujarat and former principal district judge of Bhavnagar Y S Shukla.“The judgement of the then district judge of Bhavnagar state reveals that one person, who was part of the mob that attacked Sardar Patel, was sentenced death penalty. But there is no evidence whether this order was finally implemented and the accused was hanged,” he said.Sardar slammed opulence of royals : “If kings have forgotten Rajdharma, we will have to teach them,” this is what Sardar Patel had said addressing a gathering at Rajpipla town on December 30, 1939. “Now, darkness cannot continue to prevail,” he continued while criticizing the “opulent and uncontrolled” expenses of the state treasuries by the rulers of some erstwhile princely states.Sardar had studied in Vadodara briefly: Sardar Patel’s Vadodara connection starts when after completing his primary education at Nadiad, he was sent to Baroda for higher studies.He studied at Baroda High School (Experimental School) but here he faced undue pressure of teachers with whom he entered into arguments after which he left the school in few days.After returning to Nadiad, Sardar completed his matriculation with second trial in 1897. In 1913, when he turned barrister and returned from England and started his practice in Ahmedabad after which he entered active politics in 1917.

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