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Home / IAS Preparation / Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru: Architect of Modern India and Visionary Leader!

Last Updated on Apr 30, 2025
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Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India. He had very strong ideals and principles that guided his life and work. 

This article on Nehru will be helpful for UPSC IAS exam and UPSC History Optional Aspirant.

Jawaharlal Nehru Personal History

Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad. His father's name was Motilal Nehru, and his mother's name was Swarup Rani.

  • Nehru grew up in a rich and educated family. His father, Motilal Nehru, was a successful barrister and a prominent member of the Indian National Congress.
  • Nehru received his early education at home by private tutors. In 1905, he went to England to study sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge. He enjoyed studying science subjects like physics, chemistry and mathematics.
  • Jawaharlal Nehru returned to India in 1912 after completing his education. He started working as a lawyer like his father in the Allahabad High Court.

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Jawaharlal Nehru's Role In India's Independence Struggle

Jawaharlal Nehru played an important role in India's freedom movement. With Gandhi, he led India to independence from British rule. He was firm in his belief that India should gain complete independence from British rule.

Jawaharlal Nehru's Contribution

Nehru joined the Indian National Congress in 1919. In 1929, Gandhi made him the Congress President. 

  • Gandhi and Nehru formed a deep bond and worked closely together for India's Swaraj. Nehru organized protests and demonstrations against the British rule.
  • In 1928, Nehru gave a historic speech where he said that India's independence was inevitable. He encouraged other Indians to join the freedom movement.
  • When Gandhi launched the civil disobedience movement in 1930, Jawaharlal Nehru fully supported it. He went to jail many times during the struggle.
  • Jawaharlal Nehru motivated the youth to join the freedom movement. He inspired thousands of young people to work for India's independence. The youth saw Nehru as their ideal leader.
  • Jawaharlal Nehru stayed in jail for almost 10 years. While in jail, he wrote letters to his daughter Indira and also wrote his famous book, The Discovery of India.
  • After Gandhi, Nehru became the most prominent leader of the Indian National Congress. Indians saw him as the first Prime Minister of free India.
  • Even when Nehru and Gandhi had disagreements, they remained close. Their partnership to achieve India's swaraj remained strong till the end.

Nehru's Ideas

Jawaharlal Nehru advocated complete freedom for India. He opposed any type of compromise with the British, like Dominion Status.

  • Nehru supported socialism and secularism. He dreamt of an India which would be free of poverty, illiteracy and communal divisions.
  • Nehru encouraged the spread of science and rational thinking in India. He believed this would help build a modern India.
  • Jawaharlal Nehru popularized the slogan of 'Purna Swaraj', or complete independence for India. He spread this message among Indians through his speeches.

Nehru And The Quit India Movement

In 1942, when Gandhi launched the Quit India movement, Nehru fully supported it. He gave powerful speeches motivating Indians to fight for complete freedom.

  • On August 8 1942, Nehru gave a historic speech in Bombay.
  • Nehru was again arrested by the British and remained in jail until 1945. Even from jail, Nehru led the freedom movement and spread the message of Quit India.
  • India achieved independence on August 15 1947. By then, Nehru had become the symbol of India's freedom struggle and the inevitable first Prime Minister of independent India. His ideas shaped the democratic and secular foundations of modern India.

Jawaharlal Nehru And Indian National Congress

Jawaharlal Nehru played an important part in the Indian National Congress during India's freedom fight.

  • Nehru joined Congress in 1919 at age 37. At that time, the Congress was becoming more powerful under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership. Nehru quickly became one of the Congress's most popular leaders.
  • Nehru supported Gandhi's strategy of peaceful protest against the British. He took part in many demonstrations and campaigns and was jailed many times by the British. Nehru became Gandhi's closest helper.
  • In 1929, Nehru became Congress president. As president, Nehru traveled all over India to spread Gandhi's message of peace and freedom from British rule. He convinced many people to join the freedom movement.
  • As president, Nehru tried to reduce the differences between Hindus and Muslims. He wanted both groups to be united in the movement. But religious tensions kept rising.
  • In 1946, Nehru again became Congress president. Under his leadership, Congress demanded complete freedom for India and launched the Quit India Movement against the British. Many leaders, including Nehru, were jailed during the movement.
  • After India became free in 1947, Nehru became India's first Prime Minister. But he stayed active in Congress.
  • As Prime Minister, Nehru worked to strengthen Congress and make it the major political party. He travelled all over India for party meetings.
  • Nehru spread the idea of "secular India" through Congress. He said India must give equal rights to people of all religions. This idea of secularism became one of the Constitution's main principles.
  • As prime minister and Congress leader, Nehru worked to end poverty in India and build a modern nation. He focused on developing industries, science, and technology education in India.
  • Nehru's death in 1964 was a big blow to Congress. After Nehru, Congress could not find another charismatic leader to lead the party for many decades.
  • Nehru played an important role in Congress as a charismatic leader, effective organizer and main strategist. He strengthened Congress and made it the major political party after India became free. Nehru spread secular and socialist ideals through Congress, which formed the basis of the Indian Constitution and policies.

Philosophy of Jawaharlal Nehru 

Now we will discuss the main aspects of Nehru's philosophy of life and governance.

Democracy and Secularism

Nehru was a firm believer in democracy. He said that democracy gives equal rights and freedom to all citizens to develop themselves fully. 

  • Nehru worked hard to establish India as a democratic and secular nation where people of all religions get equal rights and respect.
  • He believed that religion is a personal matter and the state should not interfere in it. He said Indian people follow many religions, and the government has to remain equidistant from all religions. This idea of secularism became part of the Indian Constitution.

Socialism

Nehru's economic ideology was socialism. He wanted the government to control major industries and services to make sure that the benefits reach all people equally.

  • Nehru nationalized many private companies related to basic necessities like banks, insurance, airlines etc. He also started many public sector companies in key industries like steel, mining, energy, transportation etc.
  • Through the Five Year Plans, Nehru focused on developing heavy industries, dams and irrigation facilities to build a self-reliant economy.

Non-Violence

Nehru deeply respected Mahatma Gandhi's principle of non-violence. 

  • He said that non-violence is not just a political strategy but an ideal way of living.
  • Nehru believed one should meet violence with a spirit of forgiveness and goodwill. He also said violence often breeds more violence and hatred.

Secular Humanism

Nehru's philosophy was inspired by secular humanism. 

  • He emphasized the importance of scientific temper, rational thinking and humanistic values like love, compassion and Service to humanity.
  • Nehru believed human values are more important than religious dogmas. He wanted to build an India based on human equality, reason and universal brotherhood.

Unity in Diversity

The Indian subcontinent has a lot of diversity in terms of languages, cultures, religions and ethnicities. 

  • Nehru said our diversity can become our strength if we promote unity and mutual respect between all groups.
  • He wanted to build an Indian identity that transcends religious and regional identities. He stressed that, at the core, Indians share the same destiny and goals of progress and freedom.

Education and Science

Nehru considered education as the most powerful tool for social change and progress. 

  • He focused on expanding educational institutions and improving the quality of education in India.
  • Nehru had great faith in science and reason. He said scientific temper would help people get rid of superstitions and dogmas. 
  • He established many scientific research institutions and invested heavily in science and technology education.

Questions to Ace Your Exams

Q1.Who Was Jawaharlal Nehru?
The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, was born in Allahabad on November 14, 1889. He became the first prime minister of India after the country gained independence. Nehru served the country as a Prime Minister from 1947 till 1964. Nehru was regarded as a key figure in Indian politics. He was formerly a well-known figure in the Indian National Congress. He drew young people and intellectuals throughout the nation into the core of the movement. The Indian children called him Chacha Nehru, but he was also known as Pandit Nehru because of his affiliation with the Kashmiri Pandit community. Many people observe Jawahar Lal Nehru's birthday as Children's Day.

Q2.What Did Jawaharlal Nehru Do?
Nehru enjoyed diplomacy as well. He traveled to a number of nations where comparable democratic rights movements were taking place, even back in the days of the independence fight. Additionally, he recognized the significance of uniting the citizens of the princely kingdoms in the national cause. In 1923, he was appointed General Secretary of the INC. When the Poorna Swaraj proclamation was initially made in 1929, he was the party president during the Lahore session. In 1946, he led the Interim Government. 

Q3.How Did Jawaharlal Nehru Become Prime Minister?
Nehru was appointed as the first prime minister of the Republic of India on August 15, 1947, the day India became independent. He started a program of social, political, and economic changes. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first and longest-serving prime minister of India, was a visionary. The Congress party leaders proposed Sardar Patel to be prime minister when India gained independence in 1947. Nevertheless, after Gandhi asked Patel to withdraw his candidacy, which he did, Gandhiji nominated Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru for prime minister.

Q4.How Did Jawaharlal Nehru Die?
The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, passed away from a heart attack in the afternoon on May 27, 1964, at the age of 75. On May 26, 1964, after arriving back from Dehradun, he felt at ease and went to bed at around 11 as normal. After returning from the washroom in the morning at approx. 6, Nehru complained of back discomfort. After a brief conversation with the medical staff, Nehru passed out almost instantly. He was unconscious the entire time he was dead. With 17 years in power, he was the Prime Minister with the longest tenure in the nation.

Conclusion

Nehru's philosophy emphasized the principles of democracy, secularism, socialism, non-violence, humanism, unity in diversity and the importance of education and science. His ideals and principles shaped the governance of independent India in its early decades and influenced the making of the Indian Constitution.

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Jawaharlal Nehru FAQs

Nehru became very committed to India's freedom movement after Kamala's death. He worked closely with Gandhi and participated in movements against the British rule.

Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889 in Allahabad, India.

Nehru went to England in 1905 to study science at Trinity College, Cambridge. He liked studying subjects like physics, chemistry and math.

Nehru married Kamala Kaul in 1916. They had two children - a daughter Indira and a son Feroze.

Sadly, Kamala's health got worse and she died from tuberculosis at the young age of 34 in 1928. Nehru was devastated.
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