Editing Vallabhbhai Patel (section)

== Early life and background ==
Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel,<ref>{{Cite web|date=1970–1979|title=Vallabhai Patel|url=https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Vallabhai+Patel|website=TheFreeDictionary.com|publisher=[[The Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]|edition=3rd|access-date=9 August 2019|archive-date=22 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822022827/https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Vallabhai+Patel|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Britannica|446269|Vallabhbhai Patel|David Argov}}</ref> one of the six children of Jhaverbhai Patel and Ladba, was born in [[Nadiad]], Gujarat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |url=https://www.inc.in/en/our-inspiration/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel |access-date=7 October 2019 |website=Indian National Congress |archive-date=7 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007232739/https://www.inc.in/en/our-inspiration/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel |url-status=dead }}</ref> Patel's date of birth was never officially recorded; Patel entered it as 31 October on his [[matriculation]] examination papers.{{sfn|Rajmohan Gandhi|1990|p=3}} He belonged to the [[Patidar]]s, specifically the [[Leva Patel]] community of Central Gujarat; although after his fame, both Leva Patel and [[Kadava Patidar]] have claimed him as one of their own.<ref>{{cite news |title=Community power: how the Patels hold sway over Gujarat |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/community-power-how-the-patels-hold-sway-over-gujarat/story-WejgSajNL5YcxA3rUf8ajK.html |access-date=20 April 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=1 December 2012 |language=en |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806200958/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/community-power-how-the-patels-hold-sway-over-gujarat/story-WejgSajNL5YcxA3rUf8ajK.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Patel travelled to attend schools in [[Nadiad]], [[Petlad]], and [[Borsad]], living self-sufficiently with other boys. He reputedly cultivated a [[Stoicism|stoic]] character. A popular anecdote recounts that he lanced his own painful [[boil]] without hesitation, even as the barber charged with doing it trembled.{{sfn|Rajmohan Gandhi|1990|p=14}} When Patel passed his matriculation at the relatively late age of 22, he was generally regarded by his elders as an unambitious man destined for a commonplace job. Patel himself, though, harboured a plan to study to become a lawyer, work and save funds, travel to England, and become a [[barrister]].{{sfn|Rajmohan Gandhi|1990|p=13}} Patel spent years away from his family, studying on his own with books borrowed from other lawyers, passing his examinations within two years. Fetching his wife Jhaverba from her parents' home, Patel set up his household in [[Godhra]] and was [[Call to the bar|called to the bar]]. During the many years it took him to save money, Patel&nbsp;– now an advocate&nbsp;– earned a reputation as a fierce and skilled lawyer. The couple had a daughter, [[Maniben Patel|Maniben]], in 1903 and a son, [[Dahyabhai Patel|Dahyabhai]], in 1905. Patel also cared for a friend suffering from the [[Bubonic plague]] when it swept across Gujarat. When Patel himself came down with the disease, he immediately sent his family to safety, left his home, and moved into an isolated house in Nadiad (by other accounts, Patel spent this time in a dilapidated temple); there, he recovered slowly.{{sfn|Rajmohan Gandhi|1990|p=16}}

[[File:Vallabhbhai Patel as a district pleader in Borsad.jpg|thumb|Patel as a district pleader in [[Borsad]], 1903 CE.]]
Patel practised law in [[Godhra]], Borsad, and [[Anand, Gujarat|Anand]] while taking on the financial burdens of his homestead in [[Karamsad]]. Patel was the first chairman and founder of "Edward Memorial High School" Borsad, today known as Jhaverbhai Dajibhai Patel High School. When he had saved enough for his trip to England and applied for a pass and a ticket, they were addressed to "V. J. Patel", at the home of his elder brother [[Vithalbhai Patel|Vithalbhai]], who had the same initials as Vallabhai. Having once nurtured a similar hope to study in England, Vithalbhai remonstrated his younger brother, saying that it would be disreputable for an older brother to follow his younger brother. In keeping with concerns for his family's honour, Patel allowed Vithalbhai to go in his place.{{sfn|Rajmohan Gandhi|1990|p=21}}

In 1909 Patel's wife Jhaverba was hospitalised in Bombay (present-day [[Mumbai]]) to undergo major surgery for cancer. Her health suddenly worsened and, despite successful emergency surgery, she died in the hospital. Patel was given a note informing him of his wife's demise as he was cross-examining a witness in court. According to witnesses, Patel read the note, pocketed it, and continued his cross-examination and won the case. He broke the news to others only after the proceedings had ended.{{sfn|Rajmohan Gandhi|1990|p=23}} Patel decided against marrying again. He raised his children with the help of his family and sent them to English-language schools in Bombay. At the age of 36, he journeyed to England and enrolled at the [[Middle Temple]] in London. Completing a 36-month course in 30 months, Patel finished at the top of his class despite having had no previous college background.<ref>{{Citation |title=Education profiles of India's topfreedom fighters |date=12 May 2014 |url=http://indianexpress.com/photos/education-gallery/education-profiles-of-indias-top-freedom-fighters/3 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=31 October 2016 |archive-date=15 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015210909/https://indianexpress.com/photos/education-gallery/education-profiles-of-indias-top-freedom-fighters/3/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Returning to India, Patel settled in [[Ahmedabad]] and became one of the city's most successful barristers. Wearing European-style clothes and sporting urbane mannerisms, he became a skilled [[Contract bridge|bridge]] player. Patel nurtured ambitions to expand his practice and accumulate great wealth and to provide his children with modern education. He had made a pact with his brother Vithalbhai to support his entry into politics in the [[Bombay Presidency]], while Patel remained in Ahmedabad to provide for the family.{{sfn|Rajmohan Gandhi|1990|p=33}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Famous Vegetarians – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |url=http://www.ivu.org/people/politics/patel.html |publisher=International Vegetarian Union |access-date=31 May 2012 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019214244/https://ivu.org/people/politics/patel.html |url-status=live }}</ref>