Jawaharlal Nehru's Biography

Jawaharlal Nehru was a prominent Indian politician, freedom fighter, and the first Prime Minister of independent India. Born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad, Nehru hailed from a distinguished family and received an elite education in England at Harrow, Eton, and Trinity College, Cambridge, before qualifying as a barrister at Inner Temple, London. Deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, he became a key leader in India's struggle for independence and played a significant role in shaping modern India. Known affectionately as 'Chacha Nehru,' he had a deep affection for children and is celebrated annually on Children's Day in India. Nehru was instrumental in laying the foundations for a secular, socialist, and democratic republic. His vision for India focused on scientific progress, industrialization, and education, for which he established many institutions of national importance. Despite facing controversies such as the 1962 Sino-Indian War and criticism for centralized governance, his legacy endures in Indian politics and society. His famous speech at the dawn of independence, 'At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom,' remains iconic. Nehru was also a prolific writer, noted for works like 'The Discovery of India.' His estimated net worth at the time of his death was around $90,000, primarily from his official salary and family inheritance. Nehru passed away on May 27, 1964, but his contributions continue to influence India’s path to this day.