Sardar Patel; an outstanding leader, popularly characterised as 'NCR' in Indian Political History.

'Nationalist', 'Catalyst' and 'Realist'

***The correct answer is Option 1: 'Nationalist', Catalyst' and 'Realist'***

Sardar Patel faced key challenges of integration from three states, viz., Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir. It was under his leadership that Indian forces compelled Hyderabad and Junagarh to merge with India. Keeping well- versed with Pakistan’s intentions from Jinnah’s divisive ‘Two Nation Theory’, Sardar Patel's opinion on Kashmir was different from other leaders. Like Hyderabad, he also wanted Kashmir’s integration with India through military operations. But due to various reasons, Sardar could not succeed in integrating Kashmir fully with India. However, Sardar will always remain as an astounding leader who combined in himself the features of a true ‘Nationalist’, ‘Catalyst’ and ‘Realist’ – popularly characterised as NCR in Indian political history.