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Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950) – Letter - an important letter, handwritten in Gujerati with an official Nasik Road Central Prison stamp to top, written whilst Patel was imprisoned. The letter mentions Gandhi (Bapu) and hints at the important friendship between the two; Nasik Road, Central Prison Date: 2.8.33 Dear Sister, Yesterday, we have been brought here to visit Nasik at 3 or 4 o’clock. Lacs of people from remote places came here to do the Shraddh rites spending their own money. And the government has brought me here on their own money. The tour of [illegible] completed and now the tour of Nasik started. If you ask me why they brought us here, then I am unable to answer anything about that. But I can just guess that they have me brought here to separate from Bapu as he might be coming here. There is no other reason. If I had been together, I would have been able to take care of Bapu. But nothing happens as per our wish. The weather here is able to cure the ill people also. Bapu is at Ashram, so it might be very terrible there. But what can be done, after all he is Bapu. The rain is not stopping since we came here. Already 21 hours passed. I have sent your letter to Maniben. Now I hope her letter should come in this week. [Illegible] will be able to meet you after he gets out in few days. My health is fine. Do not worry about anything. Sincerely, Vallabhbhai’s greetings. Written in black ink to both sides of the folded sheet, with some corrections. Small area of loss to the lower right corner. Measures (when folded) 17.5cm x 11.5cm, approx. Upon the failure of the Round Table Conference in London, Gandhi and Patel were arrested in January 1932 when the struggle re-opened, and imprisoned in the Yeravda Central Jail. During this term of imprisonment, Patel and Gandhi grew close to each other, and the two developed a close bond of affection, trust, and frankness. Their mutual relationship could be described as that of an elder brother (Gandhi) and his younger brother (Patel). Despite having arguments with Gandhi, Patel respected his instincts and leadership. In prison, the two discussed national and social issues, read Hindu epics, and cracked jokes. Gandhi taught Patel Sanskrit. Gandhi's secretary, Mahadev Desai, kept detailed records of conversations between Gandhi and Patel. When Gandhi embarked on a fast-unto-death protesting the separate electorates allocated for untouchables, Patel looked after Gandhi closely and himself refrained from partaking of food. Patel was later moved to a jail in Nasik, and refused a British offer for a brief release to attend the cremation of his brother Vithalbhai, who had died in October 1933. He was finally released in July 1934 Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), endeared as Sardar, was an Indian statesman. He served as the first Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1950. He was a barrister and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, who played a leading role in the country's struggle for independence, guiding its integration into a united, independent nation. He was one of the conservative members of the Indian National Congress. In India and elsewhere, he was often called Sardar, meaning "chief" in Hindi, Urdu, and Persian. He acted as the Home Minister during the political integration of India and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. One of Mahatma Gandhi's earliest political lieutenants, he organised peasants from Kheda, Borsad, and Bardoli in Gujarat in non-violent civil disobedience against the British Raj, becoming one of the most influential leaders in Gujarat. He was appointed as the 49th President of Indian National Congress, organising the party for elections in 1934 and 1937 while promoting the Quit India Movement.