Indira Gandhi
Born 1917 · Age 108
Indian politician; first and (to date) only female prime minister of India (1966–1977, 1980–1984). Central figure of the Indian National Congress; daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru and mother of Rajiv Gandhi.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Allahabad
Born Indira Nehru into the Nehru family at Anand Bhavan, Allahabad (Prayagraj).
Infant brother born and died
A baby brother was born in November 1924 but died after two days.
Anand Bhavan donated to Congress
The Nehru family donated the original Anand Bhavan to the Indian National Congress and renamed it Swaraj Bhavan.
Matriculation
Completed matriculation (school-leaving) in India after intermittent schooling and tutoring.
Enrolled at Somerville College, Oxford
Enrolled at Somerville College to study history (did not complete degree due to health and wartime disruptions).
Joined Indian National Congress
Formally joined the Indian National Congress (INC).
Returned to India from Europe
Left England and returned to India amidst wartime difficulties; did not complete studies at Oxford.
Married Feroze Gandhi
Married Feroze Gandhi in Allahabad according to Adi Dharm rituals; couple later had two sons, Rajiv and Sanjay.
Arrested during Quit India Movement
Arrested in September 1942 for participating in the Quit India Movement; imprisoned ~243 days and released in April/May 1943.
Birth of Rajiv Gandhi
First son Rajiv Gandhi was born (became later Prime Minister of India).
Birth of Sanjay Gandhi
Second son Sanjay Gandhi was born (became a prominent political figure and adviser).
Received Mothers' Award (USA)
Received the Mothers' Award in the United States (one of several international recognitions in her career).
Elected to Congress Working Committee
Became a member of the Congress Party's Working Committee, gaining a central party role.
Elected President of Indian National Congress
Elected to the largely ceremonial post of INC President and used the role to press political influence (including help dismiss Kerala's communist government).
Helped dissolve Kerala communist government
As INC President, played a part in the dissolution of the communist-led Kerala state government (1959 dismissal).
Death of husband Feroze Gandhi
Feroze Gandhi died in 1960 (heart attack), affecting Indira's personal life and political engagement.
Appointed to Rajya Sabha
Named a member of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament) after Jawaharlal Nehru's death and as Shastri formed government.
Minister of Information & Broadcasting
Appointed Minister of Information & Broadcasting in Lal Bahadur Shastri's government (served 9 June 1964–24 Jan 1966).
Served as Minister for Atomic Energy and Space (from 1967)
Held concurrent portfolios over atomic energy and space at various times during her premiership (notably from Sep 1967 through 1977 for space & atomic portfolios at points).
Crushed Mizo National Front uprising
Directed operations to suppress the Mizo insurgency in Mizoram (1966).
Chairman, Planning Commission (first period)
Assumed the chairmanship of the Planning Commission during her premiership (1966–1977) in parallel to her PM role (central planning responsibilities).
Became Prime Minister of India (1st time)
Elected leader of the Congress parliamentary party after Lal Bahadur Shastri's sudden death and sworn in as Prime Minister (24 Jan 1966).
Elected to Lok Sabha (1967 general election)
Contested and won a seat in the Lok Sabha (first elected to the lower house during the 1967 elections; Raebareli constituency referenced in many sources).
Border clashes with China (Nathu La / Cho La)
Military conflicts with China in the Himalayas where India repelled Chinese incursions (1967 clashes).
Green Revolution gains (food self-sufficiency)
Policies and programs during the late 1960s spurred the Green Revolution and moved India toward self-sufficiency in food grains.
Split from old Congress; formed 'New' / Congress (R)
After disputes with party elders (over bank nationalisation and presidential support issues) she was effectively expelled from the old guard and formed a new faction (Congress (R) / 'New' Congress).
Published 'The Years of Challenge'
Authored/published political writings including 'The Years of Challenge' covering 1966–69 (and later works such as 'The Years of Endeavour').
Nationalisation of 14 major banks
Announced and carried out the nationalization of fourteen largest commercial banks (policy introduced July 1969).
Abolition of the Privy Purse (26th Constitutional Amendment)
Instituted constitutional amendment eliminating privy purses and privileges of former princely rulers (1971).
1971 general election landslide (Garibi Hatao)
Led Congress (her faction) to a massive electoral victory in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections on the slogan 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove poverty).
Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship (1971)
Signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation with the Soviet Union in 1971, strengthening bilateral ties before the Pakistan war.
Indo-Pak War and creation of Bangladesh
Directed Indian support for the liberation movement in East Pakistan; Indian military victory in December 1971 led to independence of Bangladesh.
States elections landslide (March 1972)
After the 1971 victory and the Bangladesh war, her party won a large number of state legislative assembly elections in 1972.
Awarded Bharat Ratna (approx.)
Received India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna (sources list early 1970s; commonly referenced during/after Bangladesh victory period).
Awarded FAO 2nd Annual Medal (1973)
Received the FAO 2nd Annual Medal (recognition related to food/agriculture contributions).
India's first successful nuclear test (Smiling Buddha)
Initiated and presided over India's first successful underground nuclear device test in 1974 (codename 'Smiling Buddha').
Launched the Twenty Point Programme
Launched the Twenty Point Programme in 1975 aimed at poverty alleviation and social welfare (later revised and continued after her tenure).
Incorporation of Sikkim into India after referendum
Following a 1975 referendum a majority in Sikkim voted to join India and Gandhi incorporated Sikkim into the Indian Union.
Allahabad High Court election verdict (Raj Narain case)
High Court ruled she had violated election laws in 1971; verdict (June 1975) threatened to disqualify her from Parliament and bar her from holding office.
Declared national Emergency (June 25, 1975)
Advised President to declare a nationwide state of Emergency; civil liberties suspended; over 100,000 opponents detained; Emergency lasted 21 months (June 1975–March 1977).
Large-scale sterilization campaign
Government implemented a mass sterilization drive as part of population control during the Emergency (1976); widely controversial.
Defeat in 1977 general election
After the Emergency ended, national elections in 1977 resulted in a historic defeat for Gandhi and the Congress; she lost her own seat and resigned as PM (Janata Party came to power).
Brief imprisonment (Oct 1977)
Imprisoned briefly in October 1977 on charges related to official corruption after losing power.
Formed Congress (I)
Formally split from other Congress factions and founded Congress (I) (the 'I' denoting Indira) to rebuild political base.
Elected to Lok Sabha (Nov 1978)
Won a new seat in the Lok Sabha in November 1978 as she rebuilt her political base (sources reference elections to Parliament at this time).
Imprisoned again (Dec 1978)
Briefly imprisoned again in December 1978 on corruption-related charges; later released and politically active.
Fall of Janata Party government
Dissension within the Janata Party led to the government's collapse in August 1979, paving the way for fresh elections.
Chair of Planning Commission (1980)
Assumed chairmanship of the Planning Commission in January 1980 (central economic/industrial planning role).
Became Union Minister of Defence
Assumed the portfolio of Union Defence Minister in her cabinet (14 Jan 1980–15 Jan 1982).
Returned as Prime Minister (14 Jan 1980)
Led Congress (I) to a landslide victory in January 1980 and was sworn in again as Prime Minister on 14 January 1980.
Death of Sanjay Gandhi (June 1980)
Sanjay Gandhi, her younger son and close political adviser, died in an airplane crash in June 1980; this removed her chosen successor and led her to groom Rajiv Gandhi.
Faced rising separatist unrest in Punjab
During early 1980s, Sikh separatist movement grew; Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and others fortified Golden Temple precincts, leading to escalating tensions.
Delivered last public speech (Bhubaneswar parade ground)
On 30 October 1984 (day before assassination) she delivered a speech in Bhubaneswar; noted she might not be there tomorrow. (See also final public appearances in 1984.)
Succeeded by Rajiv Gandhi
Following her assassination, Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister and led the country until 1989.
Operation Meghdoot (Karakoram heights)
During 1984 Indian forces launched Operation Meghdoot, expanding control in the disputed Siachen/Kashmir region (operation occurred in 1984 under her government).
Ordered Operation Blue Star (June 1984)
Authorized Indian Army operation to evict Sikh militants from the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar; heavy casualties and major damage to the shrine occurred.
Assumed External Affairs portfolio (19 July 1984)
Took on the role of Union Minister of External Affairs (19 July 1984–31 Oct 1984) while serving as Prime Minister.
Assassination (31 Oct 1984)
Assassinated in New Delhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star; succeeded as Prime Minister by her son Rajiv Gandhi.
BBC 'Woman of the Millennium' (posthumous)
Named 'Woman of the Millennium' in an online poll organised by the BBC (1999) — a posthumous recognition of influence.
Named among Time's 100 women who defined the past century (posthumous)
Included by Time magazine among the 100 women who defined the past century (posthumous recognition, 2020).
Key Achievement Ages
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