Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in 1875 in Gujarat and became a lawyer. He was a prominent leader in India's independence movement as a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the Indian National Congress. After independence, he became Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, helping to integrate hundreds of princely states into the Indian union with his leadership and political skills. He is remembered for his honesty, empathy, motivation and courage. A large Statue of Unity was built in his honor.