Essay on Jawaharlal Nehru – The First Prime Minister of India

Introduction

Jawaharlal Nehru, was the first Prime Minister of India and was the leader of the Indian Independence movement, under Mahatma Gandhi. He was the Prime Minister from 1947 till 1964, until his demise. He led India into a secular, socialist and a democratic country. He was fondly called as ‘Chachaji, Pandit Nehru and Chacha ji’. He completed his education from Trinity college, Cambridge and later started practicing as a barrister. After returning to India, he began his legal practice in Allahabad High Court. However, later his interest in politics grew and he began a leader of Indian National Congress.

Early Life

Jawaharlal Nehru was born in Allahabad, in the year 1889. His parents were Motilal Nehru, a wealthy barrister in British India and his mother Swaruprani Thussu, a well-known Kasmiri Brahmin. As a kid, he was educated at home, with the help of the private governess and tutors. In his teenage, he became a fervid Nationalist. In the year 1905, he began his institutional education in Harrow, England. After completing his education, he joined Trinity College, Cambridge. He completed his degree in the year 1910 and began his practice as a barrister.

Jawaharlal Nehru’s role in Indian Independence

Nehru’s interest in Indian politics, began when he was in England and upon his return, he joined the Indian National Congress. After a few years, Nehru and National Congress started dominating Indian Politics and they became the unstoppable force against British Rule in India. However, in the year 1942, after the Quit India Movement, the British were able to effectively crush Congress as a Political party. Later, his old Muslim friend and an ex-member of the Indian National Congress, started another party named Muslim League, which also began to dominate Indian Politics. Later in the year 1947, Nehru and Jinnah discussed about the negotiations of partition between India and Pakistan. However, the negotiations were a failure and in the same year India was granted Independence.

Jawaharlal Nehru’s role as First Prime Minister of Independence India

He was made the first Prime Minister of Free India, by Lord Mounbatten, in the year 1947. He addressed the people in India, when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse. During his time as Prime Minister, he turned towards Indira Gandhi to look after him. Under his leadership, Congress won a majority in the first Indian elections in the year 1952. Following this victory, Indira Gandhi moved into Nehru’s official residence, in order to attend to his needs and was considered to be the Chief of his staff.

During his time as Prime Minister, many assassins tried to assassinate him over 4 times and they increased the security, which was disliked by Jawaharlal Nehru. In his time period, India started developing rapidly in all sectors which includes agriculture, industrial and education. Jawarharlal Nehru health, started declining since the year 1962 and he spent few months in Kashmir for recovery. However, upon his in 1964, he collapsed and became unconscious, till the time he breathed his last.

Conclusion

In his remembrance, the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru is celebrated as Children’s Day, since he was fond of Children and gave importance for the primary education system. He was also a prolific writer and has written many books on Indian Independence. In addition to this, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna award in the year 1955.