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Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950) – Letter - a letter, handwritten in Gujerati whilst Patel is imprisoned in Yeravda Central Jail: Parwada temple Date: 30.11.32 Dear brother Balvant Rai, I received your letter. You did it good that you visited. We had a great satisfaction from your letter and we became worry-free. No matter even fever goes after the completion of the term, but nothing to worry as there is no other actions. We get many letters everyday from Mumbai but they are not giving all the details to keep us far from worry. We can believe and that’s why I felt that when you will write, the true facts will come out. And also if anything remains for the treatment or medicines then it can also be done. So due to your going we and Dahyabhai both might have felt satisfaction. Thus we have got benefit both the ways. And I have written a letter to Nanduben yesterday and I received a letter from Maniben. It will come to them via Mumbai in a couple of days. Her health is good. We all the three are well. Yours, Vallabhbhai’s salutation. Stamped to top 'Superintendent - Yeravda Central Jail (Poona)' with an official's signature in blue. Written in black ink to both sides of paper. Some folds. 16.5cm x 10cm, 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.