Indira Gandhi: The First Woman Prime Minister of India

Introduction

Indira Gandhi is considered as one of the prime leaders in Indian history and the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister of India. Her service to the office of the Prime Minister amounts to 15 continuous years, making her the second-longest-serving prime minister in the history of the country. She is remembered for her strong leadership, bold decisions, and her deep connection with the people of India. Indeed, she played a very important role in shaping modern India and left behind a legacy that is remembered even today.

Indira Gandhi Biography

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad, India. She was the only daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, later to become the first Prime Minister of India, and Kamala Nehru. Indira Gandhi grew up in the typical political family surrounded by political leaders and fighters who were deeply engulfed in the struggle for India's independence from British rule.

Ever since her childhood, Indira became a victim of nationalist ideas, struggles of freedom, and issues relating to social justice. She studied in several schools in India and abroad, such as Switzerland and England. Later, she joined Somerville College at the University of Oxford to study history, political science, and economics.

The early life of Indira was filled with the struggle that was happening for the independence of India, when she often joined her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, in political meetings and rallies. Besides that, she herself joined the Indian National Congress, which is the party that had a significant role in fighting for independence.

Indira Gandhi Father

She was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, a key player in the movement for the independence of India, who would later become independent India's first Prime Minister. Nehru had been a close colleague of Mahatma Gandhi and played an important, almost dominating role in Indian politics.

The influence of Nehru upon Indira was profound. He was not only Indira Gandhi’s  father but also her mentor and guiding star. Nehru's ideals of secularism, democracy, and social equality deeply influenced Indira's political beliefs and actions. Under Nehru's tutelage, Indira developed a strong sense of responsibility toward the nation and a commitment to serving the people.

Indira was very attached to her father, and since he was imprisoned by the British during the independence movement of the country, he could still manage to write regularly to Indira and wrote many letters full of wisdom, advice, and encouragement. Later these letters were published in a book named "Letters from a Father to His Daughter" and are really something that reflects the relationship between Nehru and Indira.

Indira Gandhi Husband

In 1942, Indira Gandhi married Feroze Gandhi, a relationship that developed to have a huge influence on her personal and political life. Feroze Gandhi was both a journalist and politician, also being actively involved in the struggle for the independence of India, just like Indira.

Indira met Feroze when both of them were engaged in the freedom movement. After a bit of family opposition from her family, especially from Mahatma Gandhi-who, though unrelated to them, was like an elder member of the family and mentor-Indira married Feroze in a rather quiet ceremony in Allahabad.

Feroze was an honest man and had integrity. He belonged to the Indian National Congress Party and was an MP. Feroze involved himself in the unmasking of corruption in the then-government. It is said that this man's effort in the "Mundhra Scandal" brought some major reforms within the Indian financial sector.

The couple had two sons, Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi. Feroze Gandhi died in 1960, so the children had to be brought up by Indira alone. Yet, Indira remained very active in politics and worked for her father's and husband's ideals continuously.

Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister

Indira Gandhi was elected Prime Minister of India in 1966, following the unprecedented death of the then-Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. When many critical problems were burdening India economically, such as uncertainty and food problems, and in unrest politically, many had doubts whether Indira could cope with all this. She very soon turned the tables.

The most acclaimed works done by Indira Gandhi as a Prime Minister include the Green Revolution, which transformed the face of India's agriculture and led to its self-sufficiency in the production of food. She had a major role in the nationalization of banks, thereby facilitating financial services even to the rural and backward areas of India.

Her leadership abilities were put to the real test in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, which eventually led to the independence of Bangladesh. It was as a result of this war that she came to be regarded with great honor and respect as a strong and bold leader of immense caliber. She was acclaimed as a heroine for her support for the independence of Bangladesh.

However, Indira Gandhi's prime ministership was also no less eventful in terms of controversies. In 1975, she had declared a state of emergency in India, which meant that wide powers could be possessed by her government to suppress dissent in people and also operate on the media of the country. The Emergency, characterized by censorship of media, arrest of political opponents, and gross violation of human rights, was a dark chapter in the history of India. The general elections of 1977 saw her defeat due to the widespread criticism that followed her decision to impose the Emergency policies.

Nevertheless, and notwithstanding the circumstances, Indira Gandhi made a political comeback and won the general election of 1980, after which she resumed the office of the prime minister for the second time. During this second term in office as Prime Minister, she sought to implement economic reforms and strengthen India's defense capabilities.

Indira Gandhi Death

Indira Gandhi's life had a tragic end on October 31, 1984. She was assassinated by her own bodyguards at her residence in New Delhi. The assassination was due to the consequence of Operation Blue Star, a military action ordered by Indira Gandhi to remove armed militants from the Golden Temple, a sacred Sikh shrine in Amritsar.

Operation Blue Star was a very unpopular decision; the widespread anger it caused in the Sikh community was immense. Her bodyguards, Sikhs themselves, attempted to get even with her for the operation through an assassination plot. Indira Gandhi’s death, being quite a shock to the people, brought on riots and violence en masse throughout the country against the Sikhs especially.

Indira Gandhi's death had been a huge loss to India. She was a leader who lived only for the service of her country, and the nation paid a heavy price while avenging her assassination - an assassination that indeed marked the closure of an era in Indian politics. Her legacy was carried on by her son, Rajiv Gandhi, who was sworn in as Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s death. He too, however, fell victim to an assassination attempt in 1991.

Legacy of Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi's legacy is not very straightforward; she was a strong leader who took bold decisions. Some of those decisions later took deeper roots in the country.

The contribution she made toward the development of India in agriculture and industries is well-acclaimed. She was totally a fighter for women's rights, working toward improving the status of women in India.

However, Indira Gandhi's reign was also no less consumed by controversy, not least for the imposition of the Emergency and the human rights abuses then committed. Her leadership style is often characterized as authoritarian, with criticism mentioning suppression of dissention and consolidation of power.

Despite these controversies too, Indira Gandhi remains a colossal personality in Indian history. She was a leader in whom people could glimpse a part of themselves; she was the toiled leader of the state. Her life and career keep on inspiring people at large and, most particularly, women, who see her as a symbol of strength and resilience.

Conclusion

Indira Gandhi was one such leader who left an indelible mark on the country. With more reasons to be called courageous, determined, and full of vision, she faced challenges galore in her life. From the early days as the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru till the days in service as Prime Minister, the life of Indira Gandhi has always been tagged with the stamp of great service and a sense of duty towards the nation.

Indira Gandhi’s death was a tragedy for the nation of India, but her legacy lives on. Indira Gandhi's contribution to the development of India, her strong leadership, and the unstirred commitment towards the welfare of her people continue to be talked about and celebrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Indira Gandhi marry Feroze Gandhi?

Over the next several years, Indira and Feroze drew closer in England. They married in March 1942 under Adi Dharma Hindu rites. No more than six months into marriage later, in August 1942 during the Quit India Movement, the two were arrested and imprisoned.

Her supporters point to her leadership in victories against geopolitical rivals China and Pakistan, the Green Revolution, an economy in the early 1980s, and her anti-poverty campaign that earned her the nickname of "Mother Indira" amongst the country's poor and rural classes.

Whose daughter was Indira Gandhi?

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi, also known as "the Iron Lady of India"‎ was an Indian politician. She was elected as The Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977. She was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, who was also The Prime Minister of India.

Why did Feroze Khan change his name to Gandhi?

As for his name, there are contradictions on this basis, too; some say that Feroze Gandhi was originally Feroze Jehangir Ghandy, with a 'y' in the family name, and that he took up the name of Gandhi after being inspired by Gandhi's leadership.

Share the blog in your community and let everyone know the Indira Gandhi biography.

Related Blogs

Narendra Modi: Get to know about The Current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi along with interesting facts in our latest article!