SIMULATION AND UPLIFTMENT: SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL'S IDEALS ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND ADVOCACY FOR EDUCATION

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, sobriquet “The Iron Man of India” is remarkable for his pioneering role in contemporary political unification and he is one of the visionary thinkers of modern India for the upliftment of woman status in society through the advocacy of proper education. Patel understood the critical importance of women's development as a foundation for the Nation’s future progress. He realised that freedom, socio-political development, and economic prosperity of the nation could not be achieved without the women empowerment. In the then Indian society, women were treated as mere commodities; lived as second class citizen and remained under the control of patriarchal domination. As a political leader and a national figure, Patel advocated women education to eradicate their outcast situation in the patriarchal society. Patel established different educational institutions for girls, abolished child marriage and encouraged women's active participation in every sphere of society. He promoted few policies for the upliftment of women. Patel envisioned a harmonious society where women would be educated and empowered to lead in the future prospect of nation’s building. This research paper entitled “Simulation and Upliftment: Sardar Patel’s Ideals on Women Empowerment and advocacy for Education” critically analyses the significant contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for women empowerment forging education as their basic strength. This paper also aims to study Patel’s ideals and insights for gender equality, feminine leadership, and access to the mainstream political movement of India. Keywords: Empowerment, Simulation, Education, Upliftment, Equality.