Jawaharlal Nehru: The Architect of Modern India | National Personalities
Jawaharlal Nehru was the first prime minister of independent India and one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. He played a key role in the Indian freedom struggle, the shaping of the Indian constitution, the development of the Indian economy and society, and the promotion of India’s foreign policy and international relations. He was also a prolific writer, a visionary thinker, and a passionate humanist. In this blog post, we will explore his background, career, greatness, impact, literary works, titles and appreciations, contributions, and legacy.
Background
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad, in the North-Western Provinces of British India (now Uttar Pradesh). He belonged to a wealthy and influential Kashmiri Brahmin family that had migrated to Delhi in the 18th century. His father, Motilal Nehru, was a prominent lawyer and a leader of the Indian National Congress (INC), the main political party that fought for India’s independence from British rule.
His mother, Swarup Rani Nehru, was a devout Hindu and a devoted wife and mother. Jawaharlal was the eldest of four children, two of whom were girls. His sister, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, later became the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly.
Jawaharlal received his early education at home from English governesses and tutors, as well as an Indian tutor who taught him Hindi and Sanskrit. He developed a keen interest in history, literature, science, and philosophy. He also enjoyed sports, music, and nature. In 1905, he went to Harrow School in England, where he studied for two years.
He then proceeded to Trinity College, Cambridge University, where he earned an honours degree in natural science in 1910. He also joined the Fabian Society, a socialist group that advocated social reforms and democratic socialism. He then studied law at the Inner Temple in London and became a barrister in 1912.
Career
Jawaharlal returned to India in 1912 and joined his father’s law practice at the Allahabad High Court. However, he soon realized that his true calling was politics and social service. He was deeply influenced by the nationalist movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated non-violent resistance against British colonialism.
Jawaharlal Nehru’s role in Indian Independence:
Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian freedom struggle. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1919 and became a close associate and follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He participated in various campaigns and movements organised by Gandhi, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Civil Disobedience Movement, and the Quit India Movement. He was arrested several times by the British authorities and spent a total of nine years in prison.
Nehru also emerged as a leader of the youth and the intellectuals of the country. He advocated for complete self-rule or Purna Swaraj for India and opposed any compromise or cooperation with the British government. He also championed the cause of secularism, democracy, socialism, and national unity among India’s diverse religious and ethnic groups. He opposed the demand for a separate Muslim state of Pakistan by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his Muslim League party.
Nehru was also actively involved in international affairs and supported the cause of anti-colonialism and anti-fascism around the world. He visited several countries and established friendly relations with many world leaders. He also attended several international conferences such as the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement Summit.
Nehru achieved his greatest glory when he became the first prime minister of independent India on August 15, 1947. He delivered his famous speech “Tryst with Destiny” on this occasion, in which he declared that India will awaken to life and freedom.
As prime minister, Nehru faced many challenges such as partition violence, communal riots, refugee crisis, poverty, illiteracy, famine, disease, corruption, and external aggression. He tackled these challenges with courage, wisdom, and determination. He laid the foundations of a modern, democratic, secular, socialist, and progressive India.
Jawaharlal was also actively involved in international affairs and supported the cause of anti-colonialism and anti-fascism around the world. He visited several countries such as China, Japan, Germany, Italy, Soviet Union, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Burma (now Myanmar), Indonesia, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), Nepal, Afghanistan, France, Britain, and the United States. He established friendly relations with many world leaders such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Chiang Kai-shek, Sukarno, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Ho Chi Minh. He also attended several international conferences such as the Bandung Conference (1955) and the Non-Aligned Movement Summit (1961).
Greatness
Jawaharlal achieved his greatest glory when he became the first prime minister of independent India on August 15, 1947. He delivered his famous speech “Tryst with Destiny” on this occasion, in which he declared:
“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now that time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”
As prime minister, Jawaharlal faced many challenges such as partition violence, communal riots, refugee crisis, poverty, illiteracy, famine, disease, corruption, and external aggression. He tackled these challenges with courage, wisdom, and determination. He laid the foundations of a modern, democratic, secular, socialist, and progressive India. He introduced various reforms and policies in the fields of education, health, agriculture, industry, science and technology, planning and development, social welfare, and human rights. He also strengthened India’s defense and foreign policy and maintained India’s sovereignty and dignity in the world.
Impact
Jawaharlal had a profound impact on India and the world. He inspired millions of Indians with his vision, leadership, and charisma. He shaped the destiny of India and influenced its culture, society, and politics. He also contributed to global peace, security, and cooperation. He was respected and admired by many world leaders and intellectuals. He was awarded several honours and accolades such as the Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award) in 1955, the Lenin Peace Prize (Soviet Union’s highest civilian award) in 1956, and the honorary doctorates from several universities around the world.
Literary Works
Jawaharlal was also a prolific writer and a brilliant orator. He wrote several books, articles, essays, speeches, and letters on various topics such as history, philosophy, culture, politics, economics, and international affairs. Some of his most famous works are:
- Letters from a Father to His Daughter (1929): A collection of letters that he wrote to his daughter Indira Gandhi when she was a child, in which he explained various aspects of Indian and world history, culture, and civilization.
- An Autobiography (1936): A memoir that he wrote while he was in prison, in which he narrated his personal life, political career, and ideological views.
- The Discovery of India (1946): A book that he wrote while he was in prison, in which he explored the rich and diverse heritage of India and its contribution to human civilization.
- Glimpses of World History (1934): A book that he wrote while he was in prison, in which he gave a panoramic overview of the history of the world from ancient times to the present day.
- The Unity of India (1948): A collection of essays that he wrote after independence, in which he defended the idea of a united and secular India against the forces of communalism and separatism.
Titles and Appreciations
Jawaharlal was given various titles and appreciations by his admirers and supporters. Some of them are:
- Pandit: A Sanskrit term meaning “scholar” or “teacher”, which was used as a mark of respect for his learning and wisdom.
- Chacha: A Hindi term meaning “uncle”, which was used as a term of affection by the children of India for his love and care for them.
- Bharat Kesari: A Hindi term meaning “Lion of India”, which was used as a symbol of his courage and strength.
- Bharat Mata ka Laal: A Hindi term meaning “Son of Mother India”, which was used as a sign of his patriotism and devotion to his country.
- Jawahar: A Persian term meaning “jewel”, which was used as a nickname for his brilliance and charisma.
Contributions
Jawaharlal Nehru was the first prime minister of independent India and one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. He made many contributions to the Indian economy, society, and polity. Here are some of his major contributions:
- He established a parliamentary democracy based on universal suffrage, federal structure, secular ethos, and socialist principles. He also integrated more than 500 princely states into the Indian Union through persuasion, negotiation, and diplomacy.
- He implemented five-year plans for economic development and social welfare based on a mixed economy model, public sector enterprises, cooperative movement, land reforms, community development projects, green revolution, white revolution, etc.
- He established various institutions of excellence such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), etc.
- He promoted scientific temper, rational thinking, secular values, human rights, social justice, gender equality, cultural diversity, national integration, international cooperation, etc.
- He played a leading role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which aimed at maintaining neutrality and independence from the two superpowers during the Cold War era. He also signed various treaties and agreements such as Panchsheel Agreement with China, Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, Treaty of Friendship with Soviet Union, etc.
Nehru’s Legacy:
- Nation-building: Nehru was committed to the establishment of a strong Indian nation where the concept of equal rights of citizens would override all societal divisions. He steered the Constituent Assembly to draw up a working constitution that gave a tremendous leg up to the country’s historically discriminated sections like Dalits and religious minorities. He also integrated more than 500 princely states into the Indian Union through persuasion, negotiation, and diplomacy.
- Democratic institution-building: Nehru established a robust tradition of parliamentary supremacy over the military that prevented India from becoming another junta-ruled Third World autocracy. He also instilled the habits of democracy in his people — a disdain for dictators, a respect for parliamentary procedures, an abiding faith in the constitutional system.
- Secularism: Nehru believed that India belonged to all who had contributed to its history and civilization, and that the majority community had a special obligation to protect the rights, and promote the well-being, of the minorities. He defended the idea of a united and secular India against the forces of communalism and separatism.
- Democratic Socialist economics: Nehru envisaged that in a land of extreme poverty and inequality, the objective of government policy must be the welfare of the poorest, most deprived and most marginalized of the people. He implemented five-year plans for economic development and social welfare based on a mixed economy model, public sector enterprises, cooperative movement, land reforms, community development projects, green revolution, white revolution, etc. He also established various institutions of excellence such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), etc.
- A Novel foreign policy: Nehru played a leading role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which aimed at maintaining neutrality and independence from the two superpowers during the Cold War era. He also advocated for peaceful coexistence, cooperation, and solidarity among the newly independent Asian and African countries. He signed various treaties and agreements with other countries, such as the Panchsheel Agreement with China, which was based on five principles of mutual respect, non-interference, non-aggression, equality, and peaceful coexistence. He also promoted India’s cultural and civilizational heritage and values in the world.
In conclusion, Jawaharlal Nehru’s legacy is a complex and contested one. He was undoubtedly a great leader who made many contributions to India’s freedom, democracy, development, and diplomacy. However, he was also a human being who made some errors of judgment and faced some challenges beyond his control. His legacy should be evaluated in a balanced and objective manner, without either idolising or demonising him
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