Who is called the 'Bismarck of India'?

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950) is called the "Bismarck of India" because he united India by integrating the princely states after independence, just as Otto von Bismarck unified the German states in 1871.

About the integration of the princely states:

At independence in 1947, there were more than 560 princely states, which were free to join India or Pakistan or to remain independent.

As Minister of Home Affairs and of the States Department, Patel, with his secretary V. P. Menon, persuaded almost all of them to sign the "Instrument of Accession" before 15 August 1947.

Three states created problems:

• Junagadh: its Nawab acceded to Pakistan, but after a popular revolt and a plebiscite (February 1948), it joined India.
• Hyderabad: the Nizam wanted independence; the Indian Army took control in "Operation Polo" (September 1948).
• Jammu and Kashmir: Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession in October 1947 after an invasion by tribal raiders from Pakistan.

About Sardar Patel:

• He was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat.
• He received the title "Sardar" from the women of Bardoli after leading the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) against an increase in land revenue.
• He also led the Kheda Satyagraha (1918) with Gandhi.
• He was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India.
• He is called the "Iron Man of India" and the "Patron Saint of the Indian civil services", whom he called the "steel frame" of India.
• His birthday, 31 October, is celebrated as "Rashtriya Ekta Diwas" (National Unity Day) since 2014.
• The "Statue of Unity" (182 metres), the world's tallest statue, was unveiled at Kevadia, Gujarat, on 31 October 2018.
• He received the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India.
• ✗Bal Gangadhar Tilak was called "Lokmanya".
• ✗Subhas Chandra Bose was called "Netaji".