54 Interesting Facts about Jawaharlal Nehru

Dan April 27, 2023

Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India and one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian independence movement. He was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad, India, and was the son of a wealthy lawyer and politician. Nehru was educated in England and returned to India to practice law. However, he soon became involved in the Indian nationalist movement and became a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.

Nehru was a charismatic leader who played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. He was a strong advocate of non-violent resistance and played a key role in the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India movements. In 1947, India gained its independence, and Nehru became the country’s first Prime Minister. He led India through the early years of independence, focusing on economic development, social justice, and democratic institutions.

Nehru’s vision for India was of a secular, socialist, and democratic nation. He was a strong advocate of modernization and industrialization and implemented policies to promote these goals. He also championed the cause of education and founded a number of institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management.

Nehru’s legacy continues to be felt in India today. He is widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest leaders and his ideas continue to shape Indian politics and society. His birthday, November 14, is celebrated as Children’s Day in India in recognition of his love for children and his commitment to their welfare.

To know more about Jawaharlal Nehru, let’s take a look at these 54 interesting facts about Jawaharlal Nehru.

1. Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad, India.
2. His father, Motilal Nehru, was a prominent lawyer and politician.
3. Nehru was the eldest of four children.
4. He was educated in England, at Harrow and Cambridge University.
5. Nehru was called “Pandit” because of his proficiency in Sanskrit.
6. He was a vegetarian and enjoyed reading books on philosophy and history.
7. Nehru married Kamala Kaul in 1916.
8. They had one daughter, Indira Gandhi, who later became India’s third Prime Minister.
9. Nehru practiced law for a short time before becoming involved in politics.
10. He was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence.
11. Nehru was a leading figure in the Indian National Congress.
12. He was jailed several times for his political activities.
13. Nehru was a strong advocate of Indian independence from British rule.
14. He was instrumental in the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India movements.
15. Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister on August 15, 1947, when India gained its independence from Britain.
16. He was re-elected to the post four times and served as Prime Minister until his death in 1964.
17. Nehru was a champion of democracy and socialism.
18. He was committed to economic development and social justice.
19. Nehru believed in modernization and industrialization.
20. He implemented policies to promote these goals, such as the establishment of the Planning Commission.
21. Nehru was a strong advocate of education and founded a number of institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management.
22. He was also a supporter of science and technology.
23. Nehru was a prolific writer and wrote several books, including “The Discovery of India” and “Glimpses of World History.”
24. He was a skilled orator and gave many speeches on a variety of topics.
25. Nehru was a supporter of internationalism and played a key role in the Non-Aligned Movement.
26. He was a friend of many world leaders, including Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, US President John F. Kennedy, and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.
27. Nehru was a lover of nature and enjoyed spending time outdoors.
28. He was a skilled mountaineer and climbed several peaks in the Himalayas.
29. Nehru was a patron of the arts and supported artists and writers.
30. He was a supporter of gender equality and women’s rights.
31. Nehru was also a supporter of religious tolerance and secularism.
32. He was a critic of the caste system and worked to eradicate it.
33. Nehru was a sports enthusiast and encouraged sports in India.
34. He was a patron of Indian classical music and dance.
35. Nehru was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1955.
36. He was a founder member of the UNESCO Executive Board.
37. Nehru was a member of the Royal Society of Literature.
38. He was a member of the Order of Merit.
39. Nehru was a member of the Fabian Society.
40. He was a member of the Freemasons.
41. Nehru was a member of the Indian Society of Oriental Art.
42. He was a member of the India House in London.
43. Nehru was a member of the Indian Historical Records Commission.
44. He was a member of the Indian Institute of Science.
45. Nehru was a patron of the Indian National Theatre.
46. He was a supporter of the Indian film industry and helped to establish the Film and Television Institute of India.
47. Nehru was a lover of nature and wildlife conservation. He established several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.
48. He was a patron of the Indian National Congress and served as its President several times.
49. Nehru was a supporter of the Indian armed forces and played a key role in the establishment of the Indian Air Force and the National Defence Academy.
50. He was a supporter of international peace and played a key role in the establishment of the United Nations.
51. Nehru was a supporter of socialism and advocated for land reform and the redistribution of wealth.
52. He was a critic of colonialism and imperialism and spoke out against them on the international stage.
53. Nehru was a lover of children and his birthday, November 14, is celebrated as Children’s Day in India in his honor.
54. He was a beloved leader of India and continues to be remembered as one of the country’s greatest leaders.

Jawaharlal Nehru was a towering figure in Indian politics and a key architect of India’s independence from British rule. As India’s first Prime Minister, he played a crucial role in shaping the country’s political, economic, and social landscape. Nehru was a man of many talents, including writing, mountaineering, and diplomacy. He was also a strong advocate of democracy, socialism, and internationalism. Nehru’s vision for India was one of progress, modernization, and social justice, and his legacy continues to influence Indian politics and society today. He is remembered as a beloved leader and a true champion of the Indian people.