Indira Gandhi

Indian National Congress Flag

Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi in 1924

John Gorton and Indira Gandhi

Indira and Nixon

Face detail, Premier Indira Gandhi (Congrespartij), Bestanddeelnr 929-0811 (cropped)

Indira Gandhi (19 November 1917 – 31 October 1984) was an Indian politician and a central figure of the Indian National Congress. She was the first and, to date, the only female Prime Minister of India. Indira Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister was notable for her declaration of the Emergency in India, and her efforts to lead India into the era of self-sufficiency through the Green Revolution. She was known for her political ruthlessness and unprecedented centralization of power.

Early Life

Indira Gandhi was born as Indira Nehru in a Kashmiri Pandit family on 19 November 1917 in Allahabad. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a leading figure in India's political struggle for independence from British rule, and became the first Prime Minister of independent India. Her mother, Kamala Nehru, was a national activist. Indira grew up with her mother's constant illness and her father's absences due to his political work. She had a lonely childhood and was educated at various schools in India and Europe.

Political Career

Indira Gandhi entered the political fray in the late 1950s, serving her father unofficially as a personal assistant during his tenure as Prime Minister. After her father's death in 1964, she was appointed as a member of the Rajya Sabha and served as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting in Lal Bahadur Shastri's government. Following Shastri's death in 1966, Gandhi became the leader of the Congress Party and thus, the Prime Minister of India.

Her first term as Prime Minister (1966–1977) was marked by efforts to combat food shortages and promote agricultural self-sufficiency, leading to the Green Revolution. She also led India to victory in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. However, her tenure was also marred by political unrest, leading to her controversial decision to declare a state of emergency in 1975, during which civil liberties were suspended, and the press was censored.

After losing the 1977 general election, she returned to power in 1980 and served until her assassination in 1984. Her second term was focused on improving India's economy and strengthening its position as a regional power. However, her decision to order the storming of the Golden Temple in Operation Blue Star, a military action aimed at flushing out Sikh militants holed up in the temple complex, led to her assassination by her own Sikh bodyguards.

Legacy

Indira Gandhi's legacy is a subject of considerable debate. She is remembered for her role in shaping modern India, particularly through her contributions to India's agricultural sector and her assertive foreign policy. However, her tenure is also criticized for her authoritarian tendencies, particularly during the Emergency.

Assassination

On 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star. Her death led to widespread anti-Sikh riots, particularly in Delhi, resulting in thousands of Sikh deaths.

See Also

• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Rajiv Gandhi
• Sonia Gandhi
• Emergency in India
• Green Revolution
• Indo-Pakistani War of 1971