Dr. Madan Mohan Shukla
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Defence & Strategic Studies, Hindu College, Moradabad
E-mail: srimmshukla@gmail.com
Issue: Volume 2 No. 1 (March 2026) Anubodhan
Received: 10 March 2026 / Accepted: 13 March 2026 / Published: 31 March 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n1.2026.009
Abstract
Today, national security and unity are the foundation of the stability and development of a country. In the contemporary scenario, challenges like border disputes, terrorism, cyber threats, and regional separatism make national unity even more important. Only a united and secure nation can play an effective role in economic growth, social congruence, and globalization. In this situation, the role of the historical contribution made by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to the unity and national security of India becomes even more important. The integration of 562 princely states of dependent India into the Union of India was the result of his diplomacy and determination. His vision was based on robust unified governance, social synchronization, and the protection of national interests. His views are pertinent in today’s India in the context of territorial integrity, international relations, anti-terrorism strategies, national security, and India’s position on global forums. His strategies on issues like national security and the union of Hyderabad (1948) and Junagadh (1947) into independent India deliver inspiration and an ideological basis for dealing with India’s current border disputes and internal security challenges. His prominence on national unity is important for founding congruence in India’s cultural and religious diversity. Therefore, this research paper has been divided into three parts. The first part designates the historical contributions of Sardar Patel. The second part remarks his views on national unity and security and the third part deliberates the current relevance of his views. In general, this research paper is an attempt to build a bridge between historical analysis and today’s policy challenges, in which an attempt has been made to find out whether his views are still relevant for India’s national security and unity.
Key Words: Sardar Patel, India, national security, unity, integration
How to cite: Shukla, M. M. (2026). Sardar Patel’s Conceptualisations of National Security and Unity: Implications for the Modern Milieu. Anubodhan, 2(1), 76–84. https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n1.2026.009