Question

Write a short biography of Jawaharlal Nehru under the following headings.

a)His parentage and education
b)His contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
c)Jawaharlal Nehru as a Prime Minister.

Answer 1

Hint: You may proceed in the following manner:
1)Year of birth and parents
2)Basic education
3)Chronological order of important roles in the freedom struggle
4)Important reforms and events during position as Prime Minister
5)Death

Complete step by step answer:

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14th November, 1889 in Allahabad. His parents were Motilal Nehru, a lawyer, activist and politician and played a major role in the Indian National Congress and Swarup Rani Nehru. He did not attend school in his early age and received education at home from private teachers. At the age of fifteen, he went to Harrow in England to get his formal education, after which he went to Cambridge University to obtain a degree in Natural Sciences. From his student life, he showed deep interest in the freedom struggles of different countries.

He joined India’s struggle for independence when he returned from abroad in 1912. Inspired by Gandhiji, he organized the first Kisan march in Pratapgarh, UP in 1920. He also became a part of the Non-Cooperation Movement and went behind bars twice between 1920-22 for his role in it. In September, 1923 he was elected as the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee. In the year 1926, he played a key role in the Madras Congress in committing the party towards the goal of independence. Thereafter, he became one of the signatories to the Nehru Report on Indian Constitutional Reform. He also founded the ‘Independence for India League’ for advocating the idea of complete independence from British rule. In 1929, he was elected as the President of the Lahore Session of the Congress, where the goal of ‘Poorna Swaraj’ was finally adopted. He was also instrumental in the salt Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement resolution of Bombay Session of the Congress.

He was the first Prime Minister of India, elected in 1947 after India got independence. As the Prime Minister, he initiated several economic, social and political reforms and played a role in formation of the Non-Aligned Movement. He also faced the Sino-India war of 1962 during his reign. He held this position till his death in 1964.


Note: Only mention the important events in his life.