Patel

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.