Jawaharlal Nehru: Architect of Modern India and Visionary Leader

Jawaharlal Nehru, born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad, India, was a pivotal figure in Indian history. As the first Prime Minister of independent India, he served from 1947 until his death in 1964, guiding the nation through its formative years after gaining independence from British colonial rule. His role in shaping modern India was not only as a political leader but also as a visionary statesman who deeply influenced the nation's socio-political fabric.

Nehru’s involvement in the Indian independence movement was integral to its success. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru played a key role in organizing protests, civil disobedience movements, and negotiations with the British government. Though he shared Gandhi's commitment to nonviolence, Nehru's outlook was more secular and progressive, which laid the groundwork for the future development of India’s democratic and pluralistic society.

Educated in England, Nehru attended Harrow School and later Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied law. His time abroad significantly shaped his worldview, exposing him to liberal and socialist ideas that influenced his later policies. After returning to India, Nehru practiced law but soon turned his attention fully to politics, joining the Indian National Congress and rising through its ranks to become a key leader in the fight for independence.

As Prime Minister, Nehru's domestic policies focused on social and economic reform. He was instrumental in implementing a mixed economy model that balanced private enterprise with state control over key industries, which was pivotal in India's industrialization. Nehru emphasized education, science, and technology, founding institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to advance India’s development. His belief in secularism was foundational in creating a unified yet diverse nation.

Internationally, Nehru was a leading voice in the Non-Aligned Movement, which sought to keep India neutral in the Cold War, maintaining relationships with both the Eastern and Western blocs. His diplomacy laid the foundation for India’s modern foreign policy.

Nehru’s literary contributions, including “The Discovery of India” and “An Autobiography,” remain key texts for understanding his philosophy and vision for India. His legacy continues to shape Indian politics and society today.
Jawaharlal Nehru: Architect of Modern India and Visionary Leader

Jahangir (31 August 1569 – 28 October 1627)

Mirza Nur-ud-din Beig Mohammad Khan Salim or Jahangir was born in 1569 A.D, from Akbar's Rajput wife Mariyam-uz-Zamani. As the prince was born with the blessings of Sheikh Salim Chishti so Akbar named him Salim after the name of the saint.

The prince was given the best possible education. Expert tutors taught the prince Persian, Turki, Arabic, Hindi, arithmetic, history, and geography, but he was most influenced by Abdur Rahim Khan Khana, a versatile genius, soldier, and successful diplomat.

In 1583 Akbar offers his sons first experience of running the Mughal Empire. He was a capable general who could plan and lead military campaigns. He successfully suppressed the revolts and conquered Mewar, Kangra and Ahmanagar, etc. Civil war marked the opening and close of the reign of Jahangir.

Jahangir continued his father’s traditions. A war with the Rajput principality of Mewar was ended in 1614 on generous terms. Campaigns against Ahmadnagar, initiated under Akbar’s rule, were continued fitfully, with Mughal arms and diplomacy often thwarted by the able Ḥabshī (slave), Malik ʿAmbār.

Prince Khurram, the future Emperor Shah Jahan, rebelled in the last years of his reign. The efforts of Nur Jahan, Jahangir’s wife, to marginalize him were unsuccessful. Civil war divided the empire for three years until a truce was called in 1625. Jahangir died in Kashmir in 1666. His son Khurram (Shah Jahan) succeeded him.
Jahangir (31 August 1569 – 28 October 1627)

Ashoka the Great

Ashoka Maurya commonly known as Ashoka and Ashoka the Great, was born on 304 BC in Pataliputra. He was the son of Bindusara by Subhadrangi, the daughter of a Brahmin from the city of Champa.

Against his father’s wish (wanted his son Susima to succeed him), Ashoka finally succeeded him, but it took another four years until his coronation around 269 BCE. A ruler of the Mauryan Empire, Ashoka ruled over the country from 273 BC to 232 BC. The empire that Ashoka ruled was founded by his grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya, more than 2300 years ago.

The reign of Emperor Asoka covered most of India, South Asia and beyond, stretching from present day Afghanistan and parts of Persia in the west, to Bengal and Assam in the east, and Mysore in the south.

However, the Battle of Kalinga changed King Asoka completely. Ashoka fought a war to conquer Kalinga. However, he was so horrified when he saw the violence and bloodshed that he decided not to fight any more wars. He is the only king in the history of the world who gave up conquest after winning a war.

Asoka goes to Buddhism which helped to transform it from local into a world religion. He recalls his empire and to some extent in the method of his administration to while his edicts rugged uncouth involved full of repetition. He patronized art and architectures including installation many Dharmastambhas or pillar of morality.

After his death in 232, his empire lasted for just fifty more years.
Ashoka the Great

Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a leader of India’s independence movement. He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a town in the state of Gujarat, India.

Mohandas was the youngest child of Karamchand Gandhi, the local prime minster. His mother, Putlibai, was deeply religious. He was mediocre student, shy and easily scared. Mohandas was just thirteen years old when he was wed to Kasturbai, also thirteen in an arranged marriage.

In September 1888, at age 18, Gandhi left India, without his wife and newborn son, to study to become a barrister (lawyer) in London.

In 1893 Gandhi took a job in South Africa. At the time it was also a British colony. There he saw Europeans mistreating Indian settlers. He got into politics to fight for Indian right. Gandhi returned to India in 1915.

In 1921, Gandhi was made the leader of the INC. He began a series of programs to teach Indians discipline and national pride. He reorganized the constitution around some principle of Swaraj or the so called complete political independence from Britain.

In 1929, he convinced the INC to demand that the British government grant India its independence within one year. The British government responded by levying a high tax on salt. Gandhi organized what is now known as the Salt March, a protest against the salt tax.

On the 30th of January, 1948, Gandhi was on his way for a prayer meeting at Birla House, Delhi. As he rose to speak, a man who disagreed with his politics shot him. Gandhi died that day.
Mahatma Gandhi