Movement, he was also an important figure in the international politics of the post-war era.
He is frequently referred to as Pandit Nehru (“pandit” being a Sanskrit and Hindi honorific
meaning scholar” or “teacher”) and, specifically in India, as Panditji (with “-ji” being a
honorific suffix).Nehru was a charismatic and radical leader, advocating complete
independence from the British Empire.
Personal life and education
Jawaharlal Nehru was born to Motilal Nehru (1861*1931) and Swaroop Rani (1863*1954)
in a Kashmiri Pandit family. Nehru was educated in India and Britain. In England, he
attended the independent boys school, Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge. During his
time in Britain, Nehru was also known as Joe Nehru.
On 8 February, 1916, Nehru married seventeen year old Kamala Kaul. In the first year of
the marriage, Kamala gave birth to their only child, Indira Priyadarshini.
Life and career
Nehru raised the flag of independent India in New Delhi on 15 August 1947, the day India
gained Independence. Nehrus appreciation of the virtues of parliamentary democracy,
secularism and liberalism, coupled with his concerns for the poor and underprivileged, are
recognised to have guided him in formulating socialist policies that influence India to this
day.. He is sometimes referred to as the “Architect of Modern India.His daughter, Indira
Gandhi, and grandson, Rajiv Gandhi, also served as Prime Ministers of India.
Successor to Gandhi
On 15 January 1941 Gandhiji said, “Some say Pandit Nehru and I were estranged. It will
require much more than difference of opinion to estrange us. We had differences from the
time we became co-workers and yet I have said for some years and say so now that not
Rajaji but Jawaharlal will be my successor.”
Economic policies