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Indira Gandhi: A Personal and Political Biography

Jean Blair

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Indira Gandhi, the daughter of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was born in 1917. She became a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress, and was elected Prime Minister in 1966. She served three terms as Prime Minister, from 1966 to 1977, and from 1980 to 1984.

Gandhi was a controversial figure, but there is no doubt that she was one of the most important leaders in Indian history. She was a strong advocate for India's poor, and she worked to improve the lives of women and minorities. She also played a key role in India's victory in the 1965 war with Pakistan.

Indira Gandhi: A Personal and Political Biography

by Inder Malhotra

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	507 pages

However, Gandhi's time in office was also marked by controversy. She imposed a state of emergency in 1975, which gave her sweeping powers. She also cracked down on the Sikh separatist movement in Punjab, which led to a military operation that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Sikhs.

Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards. Her death shocked India and the world, and she remains a revered figure in Indian history.

Personal life

Indira Gandhi was born into a wealthy and privileged family. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress, and served as India's first prime minister from 1947 to 1964. Her mother, Kamala Nehru, was a social activist and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi was educated at home and in England. She was a brilliant student, and excelled in mathematics and science. She also developed a strong interest in politics and social justice.

In 1942, Gandhi married Feroze Gandhi, a journalist and politician. The couple had two sons, Rajiv and Sanjay. Feroze Gandhi died in 1960, and Indira Gandhi never remarried.

Gandhi was a complex and contradictory figure. She was a strong and determined leader, but she could also be ruthless and authoritarian. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, but she also had a difficult relationship with her sons.

Political career

Gandhi began her political career in the Indian National Congress. She was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament, in 1957. She served as Minister of Information and Broadcasting from 1964 to 1966.

In 1966, Gandhi was elected Prime Minister of India. She was the first woman to hold the position. Gandhi's time in office was marked by both progress and controversy.

Gandhi led India to victory in the 1965 war with Pakistan. She also nationalized the country's banks and insurance companies, and introduced a number of social welfare programs. However, she also imposed a state of emergency in 1975, which gave her sweeping powers.

Gandhi's state of emergency was unpopular with the Indian people, and she was defeated in the 1977 elections. She returned to power in 1980, but her second term was overshadowed by the Sikh separatist movement in Punjab.

In 1984, Gandhi Free Downloaded the Indian Army to storm the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest shrine of the Sikhs. The operation resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Sikhs, and led to widespread anger and resentment.

Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984. Her death shocked India and the world, and she remains a revered figure in Indian history.

Legacy

Indira Gandhi was a complex and controversial figure. She was a strong and determined leader, but she could also be ruthless and authoritarian. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, but she also had a difficult relationship with her sons.

Gandhi's legacy is mixed. She is credited with leading India to victory in the 1965 war with Pakistan, and with introducing a number of social welfare programs. However, she is also criticized for her authoritarian rule and for her handling of the Sikh separatist movement.

Despite the controversy, there is no doubt that Indira Gandhi was one of the most important figures in Indian history. She was the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of India, and she played a key role in shaping the country's destiny.

Reviews

"Indira Gandhi: A Personal and Political Biography is a fascinating and insightful account of the life and career of one of the most important figures in Indian history. Jane Doe has done a masterful job of research and writing, and the result is a book that is both informative and engaging."

"This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history of India in the 20th century. Jane Doe has written a definitive biography of Indira Gandhi, a complex and fascinating woman who left an indelible mark on her country."

Indira Gandhi: A Personal and Political Biography

by Inder Malhotra

4.5 out of 5