First Prime Minister Of India: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru was an Indian freedom fighter, nationalist leader and also the 1st Prime Minister of Independent India. Nehru was an influential leader in the Indian independence movement and was seen as the political heir of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru became the nation’s first prime minister in 1947. Jawaharlal Nehru was a great leader. He overcame the challenges of uniting a vast population diverse in culture, language and religion. He was a person of great love for the country.

Early Years

He was born in a Kashmiri Brahman family in Allahabad on November 14, 1889. Until the age of 15, he was tutored at home, Nehru subsequently attended Harrow in England and, later, Trinity College, Cambridge. After studying law at London’s Inner Temple, at the age of 22 Nehru returned to India where he practiced law with his father and prominent barrister, Motilal Nehru. In 1916, Nehru married 17-year-old Kamala Kaul. The following year, their only child, Indira was born.

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Political Awakening

In April 1919, British troops opened fire on thousands of unarmed civilians who had been protesting recently passed legislation that permitted the detainment of suspected political foes without trial. 379 Indians were killed in the Massacre of Amritsar and many more were wounded, this outraged Nehru and further solidified his resolve to win India’s independence.

During the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) led by Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru was imprisoned for the first time for activities against the British government and, over the course of the next two and a half decades, spent a total of nine years in jail.

In 1929, Jawaharlal Nehru was elected as the president of the Indian National Congress. This was his first leadership role in politics. In response to Britain’s declaration of India’s participation in the war against Germany at the onset of World War II without consulting Indian leaders, Indian National Congress passed the Quit India movement on August 8, 1942, demanding political freedom from Britain in exchange for support in the war effort. Next day, British government arrested all the INC leaders, including Nehru and Gandhi.

Challenges and Legacy as Prime Minister

On August 15, 1947, India finally gained its independence and Jawaharlal Nehru was elected as the nation’s first prime minister. Amid all the celebration of freshly acquired freedom, there was also considerable turmoil. The mass displacement that followed due to the partition of separate nations of Pakistan and India, along with the disputes over control of Kashmir, resulted in the loss of lives for several hundred thousand Muslims and Hindus.

Throughout his 17-years of leadership, he promoted socialism, secularism, democratic government and encouraged India’s industrialization beginning with the implementation of the first of his five-year plans in 1951. The plan emphasized on the importance of increasing agricultural production. He also promoted scientific and technological advancements through the establishment of higher learning, and passed numerous social reforms such as free public education and meals for Indian children, legal rights for women including the ability to inherit property and divorce their husbands—and laws to prohibit discrimination based on caste. His was truly a full life lived for India and there is hardly any public institution or aspect of the republic that Nehru did not shape or influence.

Lesser Known Facts 

• Jawaharlal Nehru was nominated 11 times for Noble Prize mostly for Peace during 1950-1955.
• His birth anniversary is celebrated as 'Children's Day' in India due to his love and affection for the cause of children's education. He was popularly called Chacha Nehru by children.
•  Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru belonged to a Kashmiri Pandit family.
• It was during his imprisonment in the mid-1930’s that Pandit Nehru penned his autobiography, “Toward Freedom”. The book was published in USA the following year.
• Nehru survived four recorded assassination attempts in 1947, 1955, 1956, 1961.
• Nehru passed away after a massive heart attack on May 27, 1964. 1.5 million people had gathered in the streets of Delhi on the following day to mourn Nehru.