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Top 10 sensational facts about Jawaharlal Nehru

Born on November 14th 1889, Jawaharlal Nehru was an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, secular humanist, social democrat and author. He was a central figure in India in the middle of the 20th century

1. Nehru became a nationalist while young

He became an avid nationalist during his youth when the second Boer war; also known as the South African war and the Russo- Japanese War intensified his feelings.

He was a principal leader of the in the 1930s and 1940s and upon India’s independence in 1947, he served as the for 17 years. 

2. Received Education in England

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

Jawaharlal Nehru was educated in England—at Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He trained in the law at the Inner Temple.

He became a barrister, returned to India, enrolled at the Allahabad High Court and gradually began to take an interest in national politics, which eventually became his full-time occupation.

3. He wasn’t an exceptionally bright student

Image by Olya Adamovich from Pixabay

Jawaharlal Nehru’s gradual rise to power is quite fascinating seeing that he wasn’t quite known to be an exceptionally bright student during his academic years and wasn’t particularly passionate about his career.

However, it was his sense of nationalism that gave him a defining purpose and led him to become the most significant politician in Independent India. 

4. Jawaharlal Nehru renounced western wear

Jawaharlal Nehru- Author; Photodivision.gov.in- Wikimedia

Despite having studied in Europe and obtaining westernised education, Nehru renounced western wear during the freedom movement and instead donned traditional Indian wear such as long kurta, sherwanis and churidars.

The style of caps and jackets he wore during this time has become synonymous with his name. 

5. He promoted parliamentary democracy

Nehru in 1957- Author; Unknown- Wikimedia

Nehru promoted parliamentary democracy, secularism, and science and technology during the 1950s and this powerfully influenced India’s arc as a modern nation.

Secularism in India was enacted in 1976 and it asserted that India is a secular nation.  The judgement established that there is a separation of state and religion.

It stated “In matters of State,” that religion has no place and if the Constitution requires the State to be secular in thought and action, the same requirement attaches to political parties as well.

In the 1930s, Nehru and the Congress dominated Indian politics and he promoted the idea of the secular nation-state in the 1937 Indian provincial elections. This allowed Congress to sweep the elections, and to form governments in several provinces.

6. His birth anniversary is celebrated every year

Photo by Himanshu Choudhary on Unsplash

Nehru’s birth anniversary is observed every year in the country as Children’s day. This is in recognition of his dedication and advocacy toward educating the younger age groups. The children would lovingly refer to him as “Chacha Nehru.”

7. Nehru survived four assassination attempts in his lifetime

Nehru at a procession- Wikimedia

Reportedly, Nehru reportedly survived four assassination attempts in his lifetime. Historians believe that there were four attempts to kill Nehru, the first of which was in 1947 during the partition, then in 1955 by a rickshaw puller and the other two in 1956 and 1961. 

It was alleged that Nehru was targeted to be assassinated by the same people who murdered Mahatma Gandhi.

8. Nehru was Nominated for Nobel Prize 13 times but didn’t receive it

Nobel Prize plinth and medal replica unveiling – Flickr

Jawaharlal Nehru was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 13 times but never received the honour.  He was considered several times for the award in the 1950s, because of laying the foundations of a modern India.

Interesting enough, this is similar to Gandhi’s situation who was nominated five times for the Nobel prize but never got conferred with the prize.

9. 1.5 million people gathered to mourn his death

10. Jawaharlal was the very first prime minister of India

Nehru in 1950- Author; Unknown- Wikimedia

In 1946, elections were held for the provincial assemblies. The members of the assemblies elected members of the Constituent Assembly.

Congress managed to win the majority of seats in the assembly and headed the interim government, with Nehru as the prime minister. He became the first prime minister of India after independence and also the longest-serving prime minister.