Jawaharlal Nehru, Freedom Fighter, First Prime Minister of India
Freedom Fighter, First Prime Minister of India

Jawaharlal Nehru

Born 14 November 1889 · Uttar Pradesh — Died 27 May 1964

Served as India's first Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964, shaping its early democratic institutions.

Jawaharlal Nehru was an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, secular humanist, social democrat, and statesman who was a central figure in India during the middle of the 20th century. Nehru was a principal leader of the Indian nationalist movement in the 1930s and 1940s. Upon India's independence in 1947, he served as the country's first prime minister for 16 years. Nehru promoted parliamentary democracy, secularism, and science and technology during the 1950s, powerfully influencing India's arc as a modern nation.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Nehru wrote 'Letters from a Father to His Daughter' in 1929 while imprisoned, a book still widely read worldwide.

The Story

1
🌍 Born in Allahabad in 1889, Jawaharlal Nehru was educated at Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge, before returning to India in 1912 to practice law at Allahabad High Court, where his interest in politics took root.
2
✊ In 1929, as president of the Indian National Congress, Nehru shocked many by demanding complete independence from British rule, marking a decisive shift in the freedom movement's aims.
3🚩 During the Quit India Movement of 1942, Nehru was imprisoned for nearly three years, emerging in 1945 to a drastically changed political landscape shaped by growing communal tensions.
4🇮🇳 On 15 August 1947, Nehru delivered his iconic "Tryst with Destiny" speech at the stroke of midnight and raised the Indian flag at the Red Fort, officially becoming the first prime minister of independent India.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Bharat Ratna

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Nehru spent over nine years in British prisons across multiple incarcerations during the 1930s and 40s, often using this time to write influential books and letters.

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Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Jawaharlal Nehru visiting Congress Seva Dal in 1932
Jawaharlal Nehru visiting Congress Seva Dal in 1932
1932
Jawaharlal Nehru with Congress leaders after a meeting in Calcutta in 1938
Jawaharlal Nehru presenting an award to Col. HS Sodhi

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Allahabad
Jawaharlal Nehru was born to Motilal Nehru, a prominent lawyer and nationalist, in Allahabad, British India.
1889
⚡
Career
Returned to India
After education at Harrow and Cambridge, Nehru returned to India, enrolled at Allahabad High Court to practice law.
1912
⚡
Career
Congress Presidency & Independence Call
Nehru was elected president of the Indian National Congress and called for full independence from British rule.
1929
⚡
Career
Quit India Resolution
Congress adopted the Quit India resolution, leading to mass arrests including Nehru’s imprisonment.
1942
⚡
Career
India's Independence
Nehru became the first prime minister of independent India and delivered his 'Tryst with Destiny' speech.
1947
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Career
India Becomes Republic
Under Nehru's leadership, India adopted its constitution and became a republic within the Commonwealth.
1950
🕊️
Death
Death in New Delhi
Nehru died in office after 17 years as prime minister, succeeded by his daughter Indira Gandhi.
1964
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

His sister Vijaya Lakshmi Nehru became the first female president of the United Nations General Assembly in 1953, highlighting the family's political prominence.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite being trained as a barrister in London, Nehru never completed his qualifying exams to practice law in England, returning instead to India to join the nationalist movement.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

The Indian National Congress ministries resigned in 1939, protesting the British decision to involve India in World War II without consulting Indian leaders, a move led by Nehru.

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"Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge."

— Jawaharlal Nehru

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Jawaharlal Nehru’s first TV appearance | Archives | BBC News India
More from this archive
Jawaharlal Nehru’s first TV appearance | Archives | BBC News India
01
Jawaharlal Nehru’s first TV appearance | Archives | BBC News India
The Untold Pressure of Being Prime Minister – Jawaharlal Nehru Speaks
02
The Untold Pressure of Being Prime Minister – Jawaharlal Nehru Speaks
Tryst with Destiny | Jawaharlal Nehru
03
Tryst with Destiny | Jawaharlal Nehru
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Very RARE Film
04
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Very RARE Film
Jawaharlal Nehru - the first Prime Minister of independent India
05
Jawaharlal Nehru - the first Prime Minister of independent India
15 August 1947 : Speech by Jawaharlal Nehru | India's Independence Day Speech by Jawaharlal Nehru
06
15 August 1947 : Speech by Jawaharlal Nehru | India's Independence Day Speech by Jawaharlal Nehru
Documentary of Jawaharlal Nehru !
07
Documentary of Jawaharlal Nehru !
1964 Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Last TV Interview
08
1964 Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Last TV Interview
Indian Premier Nehru At Inauguration Of First Panchajati Raj (1961)
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Indian Premier Nehru At Inauguration Of First Panchajati Raj (1961)
When John F Kennedy welcomed Jawaharlal Nehru to the White House…
10
When John F Kennedy welcomed Jawaharlal Nehru to the White House…

🌱 What changed because of them

Nehru’s leadership established the foundations of India’s parliamentary democracy and secular state, influencing the creation of key institutions like the Planning Commission and the establishment of premier scientific institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology. His foreign policy of nonalignment positioned India as an independent voice during the Cold War, shaping its diplomatic identity for decades.

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