10 questions · Society & Everyday
Indira Gandhi is born in 1917 into one of India's most important political families. Her father Jawaharlal Nehru is a key figure in the struggle for independence from British colonial rule and, in 1947, becomes the first prime minister of free India. Despite the famous surname, Indira is not related to the freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi: "Gandhi" is the name of her husband. From childhood she grows up surrounded by politics and becomes, early on, her father's close confidante and assistant. In 1966 Indira Gandhi herself becomes prime minister: the first and, so far, only woman to lead the Indian government. Across two terms she profoundly shapes the country. She drives the "Green Revolution", which turns India from a famine-stricken land into a country largely self-sufficient in agriculture, and leads the country through a 1971 war with Pakistan from which the new state of Bangladesh emerges. Her rule is also controversial, however. In 1975 she declares a nearly two-year state of emergency, during which basic rights are curtailed and political opponents imprisoned: a dark chapter for Indian democracy. After an electoral defeat she nonetheless returns to power in 1980. In 1984 Indira Gandhi is shot dead by her own bodyguards: an act rooted in a religious-political conflict in the state of Punjab. Her violent death shakes India. Despite all the contradictions, she remains one of the most influential and powerful politicians of the 20th century: a woman who led one of the world's largest nations for years.
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first female Prime Minister of India
She governed across two terms and profoundly shaped India.
💡 Did you know? In 1966 Indira Gandhi became the first (and to this day only) female prime minister of India.
India
From 1966 she led one of the most populous nations in the world.
💡 Did you know? Gandhi led the world's most populous democracy for over 15 years.
Jawaharlal Nehru
She was his close confidante and assistant from early on.
💡 Did you know? Her father Jawaharlal Nehru was India's first prime minister: Indira grew up in the thick of the independence movement.
no (her husband's name)
Despite the name, Indira Gandhi was not related to Mahatma Gandhi: „Gandhi“ was the name of her husband Feroze.
💡 Did you know? Her husband was called Feroze Gandhi and was not related to Mahatma Gandhi.
Green Revolution
A famine-stricken country became one largely self-sufficient in agriculture.
💡 Did you know? Under Gandhi the „Green Revolution“ turned India from a land of famine into one that could feed itself with grain.
war with Pakistan (Bangladesh was created)
India's military success strengthened Gandhi's standing at home.
💡 Did you know? After the 1971 war with Pakistan the new state of Bangladesh was born: a foreign-policy triumph for Gandhi.
the Emergency
In 1975 Gandhi declared a state of emergency, jailed opponents and curbed press freedom: a dark chapter for India's democracy.
💡 Did you know? Political opponents were imprisoned: a dark chapter for Indian democracy.
shot by bodyguards
The act was rooted in a religious-political conflict in Punjab.
💡 Did you know? In 1984 Gandhi was shot dead by her own bodyguards: revenge for a military operation against a Sikh temple.
1917
Born: 19 November 1917 in Allahabad, India
1984
Died: 31 October 1984 (assassinated), aged 66
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