On Vallabhbhai Patel's death anniversary, tributes pour in for 'India's Iron Man'

After suffering a massive heart attack (his second), Patel died on 15 December 1950 at Birla House in Bombay. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel the "Iron man of India" was the first deputy Prime Minister of India. Patel played an important role in the Indian Freedom Movement. Sardar Patel was backbone in India's independence struggle, and then was an instrumental for the integration of over 500 princely state into the union of India. Sardar Patel was one of the most important political figures of India.

Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31 1875. He hailed from Nadiad, Kheda district and belonged to the Leva Patel Patidar community of Central Gujarat.

Paying tribute to Sardar Patel on his death anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Remembering Sardar Patel on his Punya Tithi. India will always be grateful to him for his monumental service, his administrative skills and the untiring efforts to unite our nation."

Patel also served as independent India's first home minister.