What's on your mug?

Originally, the Patidars were a brotherhood of village landholders, and despite the changes that have occurred in modern times, they have retained many of the underlying values of old village patriotism, caste-patriotism, and caste solidarity, and have also retained the personality traits of personal independence and domination over others. Moreover, by the time of Independence, with caste heroes such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the helm of Congress Party politics (indeed, a serious contender to Nehru for the post of Prime Minister), Patels had become a national force and the undisputed power-holders in Gujarat. Their mental and cultural make-up is a curious mixture of feudal mentality and capitalist outlook, marking them out as a very aggressive, patronising, ruthless and achieving caste or class in Gujarat.

Oh god, where do we even start with those wily Patels?

By jai shri krishna

The caste has several subdivisions, and these subdivisions differ from each other in terms of their origin and in terms of rank and of social structure. The Lewa Patels of central Gujarat are a global diaspora and one of the most visible and affluent caste groups in India, and some of India’s wealthiest families, such as the Premjis, carry the patidari lineage. Mukesh and Anil Ambani's mother, although not a Lewa, is of patidari origin, and the daughter of Karsanbhai Patel of Nirma (a Kadva) has married a Lewa. Azim Premji's son Rishad Premji’s mother-in-law is a Lewa, and his father-in-law, a Mehta, is most likely an Anavil Brahmin. Anavil Brahmins in fact are comparable to the Patidars and are to be bracketed with them. Mental work comes to be seen as, both, more cultured (sabhya) and more intellectually exacting (buddhishaali). Hence, in Patel discourse, as the proper undertaking of a genetically superior caste, and they commonly cite their mobility across occupations and borders as evidence of this entrepreneurial drive (saahas). Their mental and cultural make-up is a curious mixture of feudal mentality and capitalist outlook, marking them out as a very aggressive, patronising, ruthless and achieving class in Gujarat or elsewhere.

Ranjit: There are some problems in philosophy I can solve, but I can't solve this one. Rajesh: Mr. Patel will be able to solve this problem.

By jai shri rama-krishna