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Indira Gandhi: Early Life and Education
1917: Born on November 19 in Allahabad, India, to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister.
1934–1937: Studied at Visva-Bharati University, later moved to Oxford University, England.
1942: Married Feroze Gandhi, a fellow freedom fighter.
1947: India gained independence; her father became Prime Minister, and she assisted in his political work. -
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Rise in Politics
1955: Became a key member of the Indian National Congress.
1959: Elected President of the Congress Party.
1964: After Nehru’s death, became Minister of Information Broadcasting.
1966: Became India’s first female Prime Minister, after the sudden death of Lal Bahadur Shastri. -
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Economic & Social Reforms
1967: Launched the Green Revolution, making India self-sufficient in food production.
1969: Nationalized 14 major banks to boost rural development.
1971: Led India in the Indo-Pakistani War, helping Bangladesh gain independence.
1971: Re-elected with a landslide victory, launching welfare programs for the poor. -
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Controversy & Emergency Rule
1975: Declared a State of Emergency, suspending elections civil liberties due to political unrest.
1977: Lost elections after 21 months of Emergency, but remained active in politics. -
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Return to Power & Assassination
1980: Re-elected as Prime Minister, focused on economic revival.
1984: Ordered Operation Blue Star, a military action against Sikh militants in the Golden Temple.
October 31, 1984: Assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, leading to nationwide riots.