A. D. Patel
| Ambalal Dahyabhai Patel | |
|---|---|
| Member of Legislative Council (Fiji) North Western Indian Division |
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In office 1944–1950 |
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| Preceded by | B. D. Lakshman |
| Succeeded by | Tulsi Ram Sharma |
| Member of Legislative Council (Fiji) Western Indian Constituency |
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In office 1963–1969 |
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| Preceded by | B.D. Lakshman |
| Succeeded by | C.S. Pillay |
| Member for Social Services | |
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In office 1964–1966 |
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| Succeeded by | Vijay R. Singh |
| Leader of Opposition (Fiji) | |
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In office 1966–1969 |
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| Succeeded by | Sidiq Koya |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 March 1905 Kheda, Gujarat, India |
| Died | 1 October 1969 Suva, Fiji |
| Political party | National Federation Party |
| Spouse(s) | Leela Ben |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Hindu |
Ambalal Dahyabhai Patel, better known as A.D. Patel (also sometimes referred to as AD) (1905–1969), was a Fiji Indian politician, farmers' leader and founder and leader of the National Federation Party. Patel was uncompromisingly committed to a vision of an independent Fiji, with full racial integration. He was one of the first to advocate a republic, an ideal not realized in his lifetime. He also advocated a common voters' roll and opposed the communal franchise that characterized Fijian politics.
Patel was born in the Kheda district of Gujarat, India, on 13 March 1905. He had three brothers and a sister. Ambalal and his younger brother, R. D. Patel, became barristers in Fiji (hence they were known as A.D. and R.D.). Ambalal received his primary and secondary education in Nadiad, which was the site used by Gandhi when he began his non-violent protest in India. He developed a habit of reading very early in his school days and excelled in secondary school. He then entered the prestigious Gujarat College in Ahmedabad and studied economics, politics and history. He graduated with Bachelor of Arts with honours in 1925 at the age of 20.
Following his early academic success, she was sent to prepare to sit for the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination. He enrolled in the London School of Economics to improve his chances of success in the exam by gaining direct experience of the English intellectual, social and political scene. In London he rubbed shoulders with other intellectuals from the sub-continent and became aware of the plight of Indians living in the other colonies. He changed his original plan for an ICS career without conferring with his parents joined the Middle Temple to qualify as a barrister, graduating in 1928 at the age of 23.
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