Essay on Indira Gandhi biography for kids
Essay on Indira Gandhi biography – Indira Gandhi was an Indian politician who served as the Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She was the first and only female Prime Minister of India.
Born in Allahabad in the Jawaharlal Nehru family, Indira Gandhi was a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress party throughout her life.

After serving as a member of the Congress Working Committee and as President of the Congress Party, she was appointed Prime Minister of India by President Zakir Hussain after the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Gandhi faced several challenges during her time in office, including the 1967 war with Pakistan, economic difficulties, and separatist movements. Despite these challenges, she is remembered as one of India’s most effective leaders. What did Indira Gandhi do that made her an effective leader? Read on to learn more about Indira Gandhi’s biography and accomplishments.
Birth and Family
Indira Gandhi was born in Allahabad, India, on November 19, 1917. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a leader of the Indian National Congress (INC) and became the first prime minister of independent India in 1947. Her mother, Kamala Nehru, was a freedom fighter and social worker. Indira Gandhi had two sisters: Vijayalakshmi Pandit and Krishna Hutheesingh.
Vijayalakshmi Pandit was the first woman president of the UN General Assembly and served as Indian ambassador to the Soviet Union and the United States. Krishna Hutheesingh was a writer and social worker.
She spent her early life in Anand Bhawan, her family’s home in Allahabad. She attended primary school in Santiniketan and secondary school in Poona. In 1934, she went to England to study at Somerville College, Oxford.
While in England, her father became seriously ill, and she returned to India in early 1941. After he died in 1946, she became active in the INC under the guidance of her father’s friend Maulana Azad. She also joined the Indian Socialist Party (ISP).
Indira Gandhi Vanar Sena
Indira Gandhi Vanar Sena was a youth militia founded by Indira Gandhi in the early 1970s. The Vanar Sena was intended to instill discipline and patriotism in young Indians. Membership was open to all Indian citizens between the ages of 14 and 18.
The Vanar Sena conducted military-style training camps and marchings. Its members were expected to participate in patriotic activities such as singing the national anthem and raising the national flag. The group was dissolved after Indira Gandhi’s death in 1984.
Indira Gandhi Education
Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. As a child, Gandhi attended school in Switzerland and later in India. She enrolled at Somerville College at the University of Oxford in England in 1936. Still, she left without finishing her degree to return to India and participate in the struggle for independence.
After India achieved independence from British rule in 1947, Gandhi married Feroze Gandhi and had two sons. She remained politically active and was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s parliament, in 1952. When her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, died in 1964, She became a Prime Minister of India and served until 1977. During her time as Prime Minister, she faced several challenges, including leading the country during a war with Pakistan over the control of Bangladesh and coping with rampant inflation. After being defeated in parliamentary elections by Morarji Desai’s Janata Party coalition government, she returned to power again following fresh elections in 1980.
During her second term as Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Her legacy continues to be controversial; while she is revered by
Marriage & Family Life
Indira Gandhi was born in Allahabad, India, on November 19, 1917. She was the only child of Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru. Indira’s father was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement and became the first Prime Minister of India after the country’s independence in 1947. Her mother passed away when Indira was just 13 years old.
Indira Gandhi married Feroze Gandhi in 1942. The couple had two sons, Rajiv and Sanjay. Rajiv served as Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989 following his mother’s assassination. Sanjay died in an airplane crash in 1980.
During her husband’s tenure as Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi served as his primary political advisor. She also held several important governmental positions, including Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Minister of Home Affairs.
In 1966, Indira Gandhi was elected Prime Minister of India following her father’s death. She would serve three terms as Prime Minister, making her the longest-serving Prime Minister in Indian history.
During her time as Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi oversaw several important projects, including the Green Revolution and the nationalization of banks. She also played a key role in shaping India’s foreign policy, particularly during its war with Pakistan in 1971.
Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Her son Rajiv succeeded her as Prime Minister and continued many of her policies
Political Career
Indira Gandhi was born in 1917 to Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru. She spent much of her childhood traveling with her father, India’s first Prime Minister. After schooling in India, she went to England to study at the prestigious Oxford University.
Upon her return to India, she got actively involved in politics and worked closely with her father. After he died in 1964, she became the Prime Minister of India and served for three consecutive terms. During her tenure, she faced many challenges, both internal and external.
She was a strong leader and made tough decisions that were not always popular. However, she always had the best interests of her country and its people at heart. She was assassinated by two of her bodyguards in 1984.
Indira as Congress President
Indira Gandhi was elected as the third President of the Indian National Congress in 1959. She served in this role until she died in 1966. During her tenure as Congress President, Indira Gandhi oversaw the party’s transition from a secular, left-of-center party to a more Hindu nationalist party.
Reflected this change in the Congress Party’s new slogan of “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty), which replaced the previous slogan of “Jai Hind” (Victory to India). Under Indira Gandhi’s leadership, the Congress Party won a landslide victory in the 1962 general election on the back of this new slogan.
The party went on to win another landslide victory in the 1967 general election. However, Indira Gandhi’s time as Congress President was not without controversy. In 1964, she was expelled from the party for allegedly violating its constitution. She was later re-admitted to the party and continued to serve as its President until her death.
First Term as Prime Minister of India
Indira Gandhi was elected as the Prime Minister of India in 1966 and served three consecutive terms. During her first term, she faced several challenges, including the 1967 war with Pakistan, the 1971 war with Pakistan, and the 1974 nuclear test. Despite these challenges, she maintained a strong hold on power and continued her policies of socialism and nationalization. She also supported the Soviet Union, despite its invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. In 1971, she launched a successful campaign to liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan. This victory increased her popularity at home and abroad.
Indo-Pakistan War in 1971
The Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 was a conflict between India and Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The war began on December 3, 1971, when the Pakistani army launched Operation Searchlight against Bengali civilians, students, and intellectuals in East Pakistan. India responded by entering the war on Bangladesh’s side on December 4, 1971.
The war resulted in the surrender of the Pakistani army on December 16, 1971, and the independence of Bangladesh. More than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken as prisoners of war by India; approximately three million Bengalis fled to India to escape the violence.
The war was a significant victory for India and a humiliation for Pakistan; it is widely seen as the beginning and end of Pakistan’s status as a regional power.
Imposition of Emergency
Indira Gandhi was the only child of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister. She spent much of her childhood in Allahabad and attended schools in Switzerland and India. In September 1946, at 18, she married Feroze Gandhi, a politician from Uttar Pradesh. The couple had two children, Rahul and Priyanka.
In 1966, Indira Gandhi was elected as the leader of the Congress party, replacing her father. Two years later, she became prime minister after leading her party to victory in the general election. As prime minister, she nationalized several industries and launched programs to improve the lives of rural Indians.
In 1975, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in India after widespread protests against her government. During the emergency, she suspended civil liberties, and political opponents were jailed.
The emergency ended in 1977, but Indira Gandhi continued to rule as prime minister until 1979, when she defeated her in a general election. In 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her bodyguards. Her son Rajiv Gandhi succeeded her as prime minister.
Second Term as Prime Minister of India
In 1966, after a landslide victory in the general elections, Indira Gandhi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for the second time. She continued her social and economic reforms and implemented several infrastructure development projects. She strengthened India’s relations with the Soviet Union and other communist countries.
Under her leadership, India successfully fought off a Pakistani military invasion in 1971, resulting in Bangladesh’s creation. For her role in the war, she was hailed as a national hero and became known as the “Iron Lady of India.”
However, Indira Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister was not without controversy. In 1975, she declared a state of emergency, resulting in widespread human rights abuses. She was later ousted from office in 1977 but returned to power in 1980 after a massive electoral victory.
Indira Gandhi served as Prime Minister of India until her assassination in 1984 by two of her bodyguards. Many still revered her as one of the most influential leaders in Indian history.
Assassination
Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India for almost 15 years, from 1966 to 1977 and then again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She was the only child of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Indira Gandhi was a very controversial leader who made many enemies during her time in office. In October 1984, she was assassinated by two of her bodyguards.
Facts about Indira Gandhi
- Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India and one of the most influential political leaders of the 20th century.
- She was born in 1917 into a wealthy family with strong ties to the Indian independence movement.
- Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a leading figure in the Congress party and would go on to become India’s first Prime Minister.
- Indira was educated in India and abroad and became involved in her father’s work after returning to India in the early 1940s.
- During her time as Prime Minister, Indira oversaw some of India’s most significant moments, including the country’s transition to a republic and the expansion of its nuclear program.
- She also led India through two wars with Pakistan and is credited with helping to preserve the unity of the country.
- Her bodyguards assassinated Indira in 1984, but her legacy still shapes Indian politics today.