Indira Gandhi was India’s first woman Prime Minister. Indira is known as one of the strongest leaders in the country’s history. Her leadership style was fierce, and she made some bold choices that helped shape modern India. As the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, who was the first Prime Minister of India, she grew up with a strong sense of duty and love for her country. But her rise to power was not just because of her family. It was her hard work, smart thinking, and determination that made her a great leader.
This biography takes a closer look at Indira Gandhi’s life. It covers her childhood, political career, the struggles she faced, key achievements, and how she is remembered today.
Early Life and Education
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad, India. She was the only child of Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru. Growing up in a home that cared about politics, she was influenced by the fight for India’s independence.
She studied at Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal and then went to Oxford University in the UK. Her studies were cut short by World War II, so she returned to India.
In 1942, she married Feroze Gandhi, who was involved in the fight for India’s freedom and worked as a journalist. Together, they had two sons: Rajiv and Sanjay.
Entry into Politics
Getting into politics was a natural step for Indira. She joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and worked closely with her father while he served as Prime Minister until 1964. She gained important experience as his personal assistant.
In 1959, she became the President of the Indian National Congress, marking her rise in politics.
Becoming India’s First Female Prime Minister
When Nehru died in 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri became Prime Minister. Indira was made Minister of Information and Broadcasting, helping modernize India’s media.
After Shastri’s sudden death in 1966, the Congress party chose Indira as India’s first female Prime Minister. People initially saw her as weak, but she quickly showed her strength.
Major Achievements and Policies
Indira Gandhi served as Prime Minister twice (1966–1977 and 1980–1984). Her time in office saw some major changes.
1. Green Revolution and Economic Policies
She was a big part of the Green Revolution. This program helped India grow enough food to be self-sufficient. Indira supported farmers and improved irrigation, cutting down on food imports.
She also nationalized banks to help farmers get loans, which boosted the economy.
2. Bangladesh Liberation War (1971)
Indira played a key role in the Bangladesh Liberation War. When many refugees fled to India due to violence in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), she backed their struggle for freedom.
Under her leadership, India’s military defeated Pakistan in December 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. This made her a strong global leader.
3. Emergency (1975–1977)
One of the most debated times in her rule was the Emergency. After being found guilty of election cheating, she declared an emergency. This meant suspending civil rights, jailing opponents, and controlling the press.
While she said it was for stability, many people protested. In the elections of 1977, she lost, and the Janata Party took over.
4. Return to Power and Operation Blue Star
Indira made a comeback in 1980 and became Prime Minister again. However, her time was troubled by rising tensions in Punjab.
In 1984, she ordered Operation Blue Star, a military operation to clear out Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was successful but angered many Sikhs.
Assassination and Legacy
On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards as revenge for Operation Blue Star. Her death caused riots against Sikhs in India, leading to much violence.
Despite the controversies, she is still remembered as one of India’s most important leaders. She represented strength and determination. Her work in the economy, defence, and India’s place in the world continues to matter today.
Conclusion
Indira Gandhi was more than just the first female Prime Minister of India. She was a leader with vision. Through tough times and bold choices, she made a lasting impact on the country.
