Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s last letter to Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan dated December 1, 1950. He had sent a walking stick to Sardar Patel after seeing him walk with difficulty on his trip to Hyderabad. The walking stick with an ivory handle was a half century old family heirloom. This letter throws new light on their relationship.
Sardar Patel Resigned After Gandhiji’s Murder and Nehru Did Not Accept
New Delhi
1 December 1950
My dear Friend,
Thank you for Your Exalted Highness’ letter of 25 November 1950 and for the very kind and warm sentiments which you have expressed therein.
In dealing with the States, my aim has been to secure the interests of India with the maximum amount of goodwill and in a spirit of full accord and understanding. I am very glad to find that this has been fully reciprocated by the rulers of Indian States and it has given me real pleasure to know that Your Exalted Highness shares that response.
I am most grateful to you for the consideration and kind thought which has prompted you to send me the walking stick.
When Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel appealed people not to attack defenceless Muslims
I am afraid my health has not been satisfactory recently, but it is improving as much as it can having regard to the circumstances in which I have to carry on. These are difficult times and one must subordinate one’s own interests to the larger interests of the country.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
Vallabhbhai Patel
His Exalted Highness
Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan
Raj Pramukh of Hyderabad
Hyderabad (Dn.)
Note: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel died fourteen days later on December 15, 1950.
