Beschreibung:

Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950) – Letter - a handwritten letter in Gujerati, written whilst Patel was imprisoned in Yeravda Central Prison. The letter makes mention of Gandhi (Bapu), and reads: Parwada temple Date: 24.02.33 Dear brother Balvant Rai, I received the letter of you all of dated 19. I feel worried by knowing the news of Nanduben’s eye. Isn’t there any measure so that it can be released from being in the bed for more time? Isn’t there any medicine that can heal the eye and make it as it was before? Don’t you feel the need to see an eye specialist in Mumbai? If you have [illegible] of Bapu with this on Nanduben, then give it to me. It can be said that Dahyabhai is now okay. Still it has 20 pound less than the original, but it will be found, it seems so. Yesterday he came here brining Baba. Both of them came here to meet. They visited Maniben. Now Maniben is fully recovered and she is fine. She asks the updates of Nanduben frequently. She even did not know about the pain of eye. Now it seems you are having more accompanies so you must not be feeling lonely now. Master too will return in some time. We all the three are well. The service to Harijan is going on. Keep giving updates frequently. I am going to write a separate letter to Balubhai. Sincerely, Vallabhbhai’s salutation. Stamped to top 'Superintendent - Yeravda Central Jail (Poona)' with an official's signature in red pencil. 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.