Morarji Desai, Former Prime Minister of India
Former Prime Minister of India

Morarji Desai

Born 29 February 1896 · Gujarat — Died 10 April 1995

Led India as prime minister from 1977 to 1979 heading the Janata Party government.

Morarji Ranchhodji Desai was an Indian politician and independence activist who served as the prime minister of India between 1977 and 1979 leading the government formed by the Janata Party. During his long career in politics, he held many important posts in government such as the chief minister of Bombay State, the home minister, the finance minister, and the deputy prime minister.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Morarji Desai was one of the few world leaders known to practice urine therapy, believing it benefited his health.

The Story

1
🌱 Born on 29 February 1896 in Bhadeli village, Gujarat, Morarji Desai entered a world ruled by British India, beginning life in a teacher’s household that prized education and discipline.
2
🏛️ In 1930, Morarji resigned as Deputy Collector of Godhra after being deemed lenient during communal riots, a rare case of a civil servant stepping down under such circumstances.
3✊ By 1937, he was Revenue Minister in Bombay State and soon jailed multiple times for joining Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience and Quit India movements, spending years behind bars between 1941 and 1945.
4💼 From 1952 to 1956, Morarji was Chief Minister of Bombay State, overseeing a region that would later become Maharashtra and Gujarat, before moving to the Union Cabinet as Minister for Commerce and Industry in 1956.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Bharat Ratna

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Morarji Desai was born on leap day, 29 February 1896, making his official birthday rare and a symbolic marker of his unique political journey.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Morarji Desai with Dr. Nand Kishore Sharma in 1990.
Morarji Desai with Dr. Nand Kishore Sharma in 1990.
1990

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Bhadeli, Gujarat
Morarji Desai was born in a Gujarati Anavil Brahmin family in British-ruled India, eldest of eight children.
1896
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Career
Resigned Deputy Collector post
Resigned as Deputy Collector of Godhra after the 1927-28 communal riots, found lenient towards Hindus.
1930
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Career
Revenue Minister of Bombay State
Appointed Revenue Minister in Bombay State government before independence.
1937
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Career
Imprisoned during Quit India Movement
Spent several years in jail for active participation in Gandhi-led Quit India Movement.
1941
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Career
Became Chief Minister of Bombay State
Led Bombay State, which later split into Maharashtra and Gujarat.
1952
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Career
Finance Minister of India
Implemented economic reforms including abolition of gold control laws under Nehru's cabinet.
1958
⚡
Career
Sworn in as Prime Minister
Became India’s first non-Congress Prime Minister, leading Janata Party government after Emergency.
1977
🏅
Award
Received Nishan-e-Pakistan
Awarded Pakistan's highest civilian honor for efforts to improve bilateral ties.
1990
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Mumbai
Died at the age of 99 after a long life in public service and politics.
1995
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He resigned from his post as Deputy Collector in 1930 due to accusations of leniency during communal riots in Godhra, a rare instance of administrative resignation linked to communal tensions.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Despite leading India as Prime Minister at age 81, Morarji Desai was the oldest to hold the office in Indian history, defying norms about political leadership and age.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1990, Morarji Desai became the first Indian to receive Pakistan’s highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, highlighting his role in peace diplomacy despite historical conflicts.

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"One should act in life according to truth and one's faith."

— Morarji Desai

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Morarji Desai interview | Prime Minister of India | India |1977
More from this archive
Morarji Desai interview | Prime Minister of India | India |1977
01
Morarji Desai interview | Prime Minister of India | India |1977
Documentary on Former PM Morarji Desai's political journey
02
Documentary on Former PM Morarji Desai's political journey
03
Iconic Speeches, Ft. Morarji Desai.
Morarji Desai | A Life of Discipline and Leadership
04
Morarji Desai | A Life of Discipline and Leadership
Biography of Morarji Desai, 4th Prime Minister of India, Bharat Ratna & Nishan e Pakistan laureate
05
Biography of Morarji Desai, 4th Prime Minister of India, Bharat Ratna & Nishan e Pakistan laureate
"Morarji Desai was a true Gandhian" - Chandra Shekhar
06
"Morarji Desai was a true Gandhian" - Chandra Shekhar
Morarji Desai | पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री | संगठन की स्थापना पर बोलते हुए...
07
Morarji Desai | पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री | संगठन की स्थापना पर बोलते हुए...
morarji desai biography
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morarji desai biography

🌱 What changed because of them

Morarji Desai’s government was instrumental in rolling back Emergency-era laws, reinforcing democratic safeguards against future authoritarianism. His outreach to Pakistan and China helped thaw decades-long hostilities, setting precedents for diplomatic engagement despite nuclear and war scars. His leadership as India’s oldest Prime Minister also challenged norms about age and political vitality in Indian governance.

💬 Social Buzz

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