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Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950) – Letter - a handwritten letter in Gujerati, written whilst Patel was imprisoned in Yeravda Central Prison. The letter reads: Parwada (Yeravda) Temple Date: 10.01.33 Dear Sister, Received your letter of date 06-01-33. Dahyabhai is well now and it is hoped that he will arrive here by the end of this month. We have thought to keep them here for one or two months to change the atmosphere. He is going to bring the Bava also with him. I am getting letters of Maniben. She was getting a new tooth (old-age) and she had a fever from that pain. Now she is well. Elder brother and his family left and now again you will be lonely after Jitu goes. But as you have the river and God, you will not feel so much lonely. Balubhai must also be coming at the evening and the other people will also start coming after getting released. I will send you the letter of Maniben. Hope Jitu has not become sad as he failed. He has yet to travel a long journey, so he must not be sad by such incidences of failing. Try to convince him to leave this useless hard work if he could still be convinced. And if he wants to study then it is not possible to get knowledge keeping burden on mind. Health should be cared. Hope the health of Sumitraben is well, no? I wish Hansa is now all fine to run and jump. We all are well and happy. Yours, Salutations from Vallabhbhai. 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.