<P> Patel supported Gandhi's Non-Cooperation movement and toured the state to recruit more than 300,000 members and raise over Rs. 1.5 million in funds . Helping organise bonfires of British goods in Ahmedabad, Patel threw in all his English - style clothes . Along with his daughter Mani and son Dahya, he switched completely to wearing khadi. Patel also supported Gandhi's controversial suspension of resistance in the wake of the Chauri Chaura incident . In Gujarat he worked extensively in the following years against alcoholism, untouchability, and caste discrimination, as well as for the empowerment of women . In the Congress, he was a resolute supporter of Gandhi against his Swarajist critics . Patel was elected Ahmedabad's municipal president in 1922, 1924, and 1927; during his terms, he oversaw improvements in infrastructure: the supply of electricity was increased, and drainage and sanitation systems were extended throughout the city . The school system underwent major reforms . He fought for the recognition and payment of teachers employed in schools established by nationalists (out of British control) and even took on sensitive Hindu--Muslim issues . Patel personally led relief efforts in the aftermath of the intense torrential rainfall of 1927 that caused major floods in the city and in the Kheda district, and great destruction of life and property . He established refuge centres across the district, raised volunteers, and arranged for supplies of food, medicines, and clothing, as well as emergency funds from the government and the public . </P> <P> When Gandhi was in prison, Patel was asked by Members of Congress to lead the satyagraha in Nagpur in 1923 against a law banning the raising of the Indian flag . He organised thousands of volunteers from all over the country to take part in processions of people hoisting the flag . Patel negotiated a settlement obtaining the release of all prisoners and allowing nationalists to hoist the flag in public . Later that year, Patel and his allies uncovered evidence suggesting that the police were in league with local dacoits (Devar Baba) in the Borsad taluka even as the government prepared to levy a major tax for fighting dacoits in the area . More than 6,000 villagers assembled to hear Patel speak in support of proposed agitation against the tax, which was deemed immoral and unnecessary . He organised hundreds of Congressmen, sent instructions, and received information from across the district . Every village in the taluka resisted payment of the tax, and through cohesion, also prevented the seizure of property and land . After a protracted struggle, the government withdrew the tax . Historians believe that one of Patel's key achievements was the building of cohesion and trust amongst the different castes and communities, which had been divided along socio - economic lines . </P> <P> In April 1928 Patel returned to the independence struggle from his municipal duties in Ahmedabad when Bardoli suffered from a serious double predicament of a famine and a steep tax hike . The revenue hike was steeper than it had been in Kheda even though the famine covered a large portion of Gujarat . After cross-examining and talking to village representatives, emphasising the potential hardship and need for non-violence and cohesion, Patel initiated the struggle with a complete denial of taxes . Patel organised volunteers, camps, and an information network across affected areas . The revenue refusal was stronger than in Kheda, and many sympathy satyagrahas were undertaken across Gujarat . Despite arrests and seizures of property and land, the struggle intensified . The situation came to a head in August, when, through sympathetic intermediaries, he negotiated a settlement that included repealing the tax hike, reinstating village officials who had resigned in protest, and returning seized property and land . It was during the struggle and after the victory in Bardoli that Patel was increasingly addressed by his colleagues and followers as Sardar . </P> <P> As Gandhi embarked on the Dandi Salt March, Patel was arrested in the village of Ras and was put on trial without witnesses, with no lawyer or pressman allowed to attend . Patel's arrest and Gandhi's subsequent arrest caused the Salt Satyagraha to greatly intensify in Gujarat--districts across Gujarat launched an anti-tax rebellion until and unless Patel and Gandhi were released . Once released, Patel served as interim Congress president, but was re-arrested while leading a procession in Mumbai . After the signing of the Gandhi--Irwin Pact, Patel was elected president of Congress for its 1931 session in Karachi--here the Congress ratified the pact and committed itself to the defence of fundamental rights and human freedoms, and a vision of a secular nation with a minimum wage and the abolition of untouchability and serfdom. Patel used his position as Congress president to organise the return of confiscated land to farmers in Gujarat . Upon the failure of the Round Table Conference in London, Gandhi and Patel were arrested in January 1932 when the struggle re-opened, and imprisoned in the Yeravda Central Jail . During this term of imprisonment, Patel and Gandhi grew close to each other, and the two developed a close bond of affection, trust, and frankness . Their mutual relationship could be described as that of an elder brother (Gandhi) and his younger brother (Patel). Despite having arguments with Gandhi, Patel respected his instincts and leadership . During imprisonment, the two discussed national and social issues, read Hindu epics, and cracked jokes . Gandhi also taught Patel Sanskrit . Gandhi's secretary, Mahadev Desai, kept detailed records of conversations between Gandhi and Patel . When Gandhi embarked on a fast - unto - death protesting the separate electorates allocated for untouchables, Patel looked after Gandhi closely and himself refrained from partaking of food . Patel was later moved to a jail in Nasik, and refused a British offer for a brief release to attend the cremation of his brother Vithalbhai, who had died in 1934 . He was finally released in July of the same year . </P>

Who called patel as sardar vallabhai patel for the first time