Vallabhbhai Patel

Patel established the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) as the successor to the Indian Civil Service, ensuring a unified administrative framework for independent India. This reform created a professional bureaucracy.

Vallabhbhai Patel oversaw the integration of Junagadh, a princely state whose Muslim ruler had acceded to Pakistan. Through a combination of diplomatic pressure and military action, he secured Junagadh's accession to India.

As Home Minister, Patel negotiated the accession of 565 princely states into the Indian Union through diplomacy and pressure. This process unified India politically and territorially, preventing fragmentation.

Patel played a key role in the partition of India, serving on the Partition Council and overseeing the division of assets and territories. He also managed the resettlement of millions of refugees from Pakistan.

Patel authorized Operation Polo, the military annexation of Hyderabad, the largest princely state, whose Nizam had refused to join India. The operation succeeded in three days, integrating Hyderabad into the Indian Union.