Who is Indira Gandhi

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Indira Gandhi - First Woman Prime Minister of India

Indira Gandhi was India's first female prime minister and part of a family political dynasty that included her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, who was India's first prime minister after the country gained independence from the British in 1947. She served four terms before being assassinated by one of her own bodyguards. Her son, Rajiv Gandhi, and her daugher-in-law, Sonia Gandhi also later served as prime minsters.

Indira Gandhi Timeline

A quick look at Indira's Gandhi's life

1917 - born to Jawaharlal and Kamala Nehru
1938 - joined the National Congress party
1942 - married Feroze Gandhi
1947 - India gains independence and Jawaharlal Nehru becomes prime minister
1959 - became president of the Congress party
1964 - became Minister of Information and Broadcasting
1966 - elected Prime Minister
1975 - convicted of election illegal campaign practices; declared a state of emergency
1977 - voted out of office
1980 - re-elected Prime Minister
1984 - ordered the Army to storm the Golden Temple, Sikhism's holiest temple, to get separatist militants
1984 - assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards

Indira Gandhi's Home in Allahabad

Now a museum

Ananad Bhavan, Allahabad, India

Indira Gandhi spent her childhood in Allahabad, home to the famous Allahabad Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious pilgrimage that is held every 12 years on the banks of the Ganges River in Allahabad. The family home, Ananad Bhavan, is now open to the public.

Photo copyright Lisa Howard

Books About Indian History

Read more about this fascinating country and its people

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“You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. - Indira Gandhi”

Indira Gandhi Quotes

Quotations from India's first female prime minister.

- My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those who work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was less competition there.

- You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.

- I don't mind if my life goes in the service of the nation. If I die today every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation.

- Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.

Indira Gandhi Photo with Nehru

A photo of the father and daughter

Indira Gandhi Collectibles

Find Indira Gandhi photos, coins and more on eBay

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The Latest Google News on India

News from the land Indira Gandhi ruled

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  • Reply
    Edutopia Feb 14, 2012 @ 5:25 am | delete
    Symbolically she was tops for pushing the envelope of the accepted for women in not just India but the world over.
  • Reply
    RomeSal Apr 11, 2011 @ 5:46 pm | delete
    Indira Gandha came from a colorful family of politicians who were inspired to lead India. Today, her Italian daughter-in-law takes that role seriously and seems to be grooming her son for his eventual entry into politics. She will be forever remembered.
  • Reply
    ajgodinho Sep 17, 2010 @ 8:08 pm | delete
    Indira Gandhi was one of India's great PMs. I was in India when she was PM and when she was assassinated. It was a sad day in history and political world. The legacy continues and we'll see where it leads. Well done lens!
  • Reply
    shaida sayed Aug 2, 2010 @ 4:45 am | delete
    from my child hood she had became a great inspiration tone. she was a woman were every woman wants to be.
  • Reply
    JoyfulPamela May 19, 2010 @ 6:47 am | delete
    Thank you for sharing this wonderful information about such an awesome woman!
  • Reply
    Rajays Sep 19, 2008 @ 12:47 pm | delete
    Indira Gandhi was a woman of many talents. Her legacy leads on in India in the Gandhi family with her Italian born daughter-in-law as the Congress Party Leader. It should be noted that India is the only country that has a Sikh Prime Minister, A Muslim President and an Italian-born governing party leader. Indira Gandhi's grandchildren Rahul and Priya are also into politics and are senators. Great lens. *****
  • Reply
    spirituality May 19, 2008 @ 1:25 am | delete
    Great lens. ***** and favored.

Indira Gandhi on Flickr

Indira Gandhi photos

Martin Luther King, Jr. by U.S. Embassy New Delhi
Fly the Good Times by Ashok666
The Terminal by Ashok666
India on the road, Motilal Nehru Road devoted to Rahul Gandhi's great great grand father, New Delhi, India, 2001 by rahuldlucca
Nehru’s three visits to the United States of America by U.S. Embassy New Delhi
Vice President Lyndon Johnson in India by U.S. Embassy New Delhi
Photo of Gandhi with Indira Gandhi at the Gandhi Museum by hartjeff12
#107 the gall of bitterness by romana klee
Indira Gandhi Memorial by paulswansen
Indira by Shashwat_Nagpal
automatically generated by Flickr

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