INDIRA GANDHI: An Intimate Biography

by Pupul Jayakar

An intimate of Gandhi describes how she grew from the shy daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru to political leader and reveals her thoughts, feelings, prejudices, insiights, flaws, strengths, loves, and emotional entanglements

Genres: History, India, Biography

410 pages, Hardcover

Published November 9, 1993

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indira Gandhi: An Intimate Biography by Pupul Jayakar- Popul Jayakar (1915-1997) The book written in 8- parts. (a) year 1919-1934, (b) 1935-45, (c) 1946-66, (d) 1966-71, (e) 1971-74, (f) 1975-77, (g) 1977-80, (h) 1981-84. Chapter 1 & 2 bring to light facts about Kamala Nehru. (1) Motilal’s family was affluent and lived in British style but his wife Swarup kumari lived Hindu style with her elder sister. Before her marriage was settled with Jawahar lal, Kamala came to Allahabad stayed with her relatives and learnt western manners and style. She was unable to speak in English. Both her sisters-in-law found that they were different from Kamala and did not endeavor to familiarize with her bring to the mainstream of the family. In 1917, Indira was born and later one son was born who expired within a month. Kamala was weak. (2) from the age three years, Indira understood that all her relatives were sucking her parents and grandparents of their wealth and it was her responsibility to protect them, (3) after plunging into freedom struggle, from 1929 onwards, Jawahar Lal, his father were in jail and proper medical care was not provided to Kamala. (4) Indira resided in a separate room and was afraid of the dark, still she had none to share, (5) Braj Kumar Nehru son of Brajlal Nehru and other relatives also resided in Anand Bhawan, Alahabad. Braj was student of Allahabad University but he felt that there was a difference between Jawahar and his sisters. Allahabad High Court had large geographical jurisdiction. Lahore Bench of High Court was under Allahabad High Court. Motilal’s nephews took up the cases of Lahore Bench because they were able to travel. They constructerd a house in George Town, a new developed residential colony for the Nehru family Advocates took up cases (6) in 1928/29, Kamala was bed ridden and Braj kumar Nehru read stories from Turganev to her. (7) I have read the following books on Nehru (i) Nice Guys Finish Second by Braj kumar Nehru, (ii) Autobiography- Jawaharlal Nehru, (iii) Discovery of India Jawaharlal Nehru, (iv) Jawaharlal Nehru by Hansraj Rehbar, (v) Nice Guys Finish Second by B K Nehru, (vi) With no regrets an autobiography by Krishna Nehru HutheeSing, (vii) The Shadow of her smile- - a love story by Ajit HutheeSing, (viii) We Nehru’ Krishna Nehru Hatheesing, (ix) An Indian Freedom Fighter Recalls her life by Manmohini Zutshi Sehgal, (x) Beyond the lines- an autobiography by Kuldip Nayyar (xi) Prison Diary by Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, (8) Kamala was reaction was that she did not show any interest towards jewelry and rich saris. (9) Kamala did not respond to medical treatment at Allahabad and Lucknow, (10) in March 1926, Jawaharlal and family left for Geneva, Switzerland for her medical treatment. (11) Indira was eight and a half -year old. She was admitted to bilingual L’Ecol Internationale. Jawahar took Indira by train and tram but later when Jawahar was busy, Indira managed to dress up for school and travel this journey on her own. (12) Incidents in 1929/30- Salt Satyagraha, Burning of British/ foreign clothes, picketing on wine/alcohol shops, declaring Nehru’s residence as Swaraj Bhawan and opening it for all, construction of Anand Bhawan for Nehru’s living. Whole Nehru family, all women actively leaving the house and participating rallies, helping the volunteers injured by police lathi charge, Entry of Feroz Gandhi. Feroz Gandhi was witnessing a demonstration lead by Kamala Nehru. When Police attacked Kamala Nehru, Feroz Gandhi jumped, protected her and in turn was arrested, beaten but released by night on the recommendation of his relatives. Thus Feroz Gandhi got entry in to Swaraj Bhawan and Anand Bhawan. (13) In 1930, after the death of Motilal Nehru, Vijaylakshmi said “She (Indira) ugly and stupid.” Indira overheard these words but never forgot them throughout her life. (14) In 1931, author’s father was posted a Commissioner of Allahabad Division. Her parents knew Motilal since his earlier posting as Joint Magistrate, Allahabad. She and her family visited Anand Bhawan, met Indira. After sometime Indira came out of her self- locked personality and became friends. Indira was admitted to People’s Own School, Pune started by Jehangir Vakil and his wife Cooverbai. Chandralekha, Nayantara and Rita daughters of her Bua Vijay Lakshmi were together with her, (15) Indira did not like the idea of leaving her ailing mother who was now suffering from Tuberculosis. (16) Feroz Gandhi did not get financial support from his aunt initially but later she sponsored his education in London School of Economics, Feroz met Indira in Europe when she was with her father, later they were together in Paris, France where he proposed marriage, Indira accepted. (17) Indira lived in London for one year and later joined a Preparatory School for entrance in Oxford but she could not clear her Latin Exam, Second World War started and she left for India, (18) Indira met Jawahar Lal Dehradun jail. Here she informed about her decision to marry Feroz Gandhi. Nehru informed her that she is weak, therefore, her first priority should be to rest and recover because freedom struggle is on its peak. Individual Civil Disobedience movement was on. (19) Indira met Gandhi about her marriage. She stood her ground of marriage and Gandhi agreed. Indira and Feroz were married according to Hindu system of marriage with Saptpadi. (20) Indira spoke to people of Allahabad about freedom from British. An arrest warrant was issued. When Police arrived, Indira had absconded while Feroz was dressed as a foreign chef. He was not arrested. (21) Indira spoke at a rally in Allahabad old city, Policemen surrounded her. One Policeman brought a gun near her. Feroz was watching from some distance. At the sight of gun, Feroz jumped at the Police. He was also arrested with Indira. Indira was sent to Naini jail, Allahabad where she joined Vijay Lakshmi Pandit. (22) On release from jail, Indira returned home. Ranjit Pandit expired in Bareilly jail. His body was brought to Anand Bhawan. Feroz Gandhi accompanied them. Indira was shocked and fell ill. On being examined by a Doctor she was reported to be pregnant. Jawahar Lal sent her and Feroz to Krishna Nehru at Bombay. Here Rajiv Ratan was born. Later they went to Kashmir for recovery of health and stayed with a relative. Cabinet Mission arrived. Jawahar Lal was released from jail. Indira did not want that her father should enter an empty Anand Bhawan. She left Rajiv and her husband at Srinagar and returned to Allahabad. Part III- 04 April 1944, Jawahar wrote to Indira to return back to Allahabad. For Feroz he wanted that a Foreign Correspondent centre could be set up and managed by Feroz Gandhi. As interim Prime Minister Jawahar Lal went to New Delhi and lived in 17, York Road. Indira and Rajeev joined him. Feroz Gandhi moved to Lucknow to join National Herald newspaper founded by Jawahar Lal. Indira was aware that Feroz had a roving eye. Feroz found solace with a Muslim lady from a landed gentry family. Feroz attended the birth of his second son at New Delhi. After Mahatma Gandhi’s death, Jawahar Lal shifted to Teen Murti Bhawan which was occupied by British Commander in Chief. From 1946 to 1952, Indira lived with her children in PM House while Feroz lived in Lucknow. There were differences between the couple. Indira will ill of miscarriage. Nehru had to visit USA in 1949. Vijay Lakshmi was the Ambassador. She did not include Indira’s name in State Guest list. Indira was not invited to functions with her father. Feroz Gandhi was elected to Lok Sabha in 1952 election. Feroz resided in MP residence. Feroz had lunch every day at PM House. Feroz spared time for his children. When they were together, he showed them how to re-arrange toys and play with them. Author was also a friend of Krishna Nehru spent time in PM House together. Both children were sent to Board School. In 1957 elections were held. In 1958, while on a visit to Bhutan, they were informed that Feroz had a heart attack. They returned and found that Feroz had recovered. They had a holiday in Srinagar with children for one month. On 2-2-1959, Indira was elected President of Indian National Congress. Feroz stopped visiting PM House. She visited remote area of India met youth and women and fought against corruption. During Chinese Aggression, Indira visited Assam to develop confidence in people. On the same day, China declared unilateral ceasefire. Feroz died four days short of his 48th birthday of second heart attack. First, after Nehru’s death, a programme was held in his remembrance in London. Here, author and Indira Gandhi participated. Second, after Nehru’s death Indira shifted to 1 Sardarjanj Road residence. She was Minister for Information and Broadcasting. Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi were married in a private ceremony. During her visit to US, she finds that American Indians were not treated well in USA.

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writer knew her personally, and so we get a window to the life and to some extent the mind of one of the most influential people of last century, Indira Gandhi.

(Saturday, September 20, 2008.)

There could hardly be a more definitive and closer look at the life of this woman who lived life almost on world stage and yet was mostly a mystery to most people - this book is by one of the few people in her intimate circle, a friend from childhood years. As such she was a rare person who could ask Indira Gandhi why she took this decision or that, within the limits of decency and civil interaction between friends who care about one another, and get answers too. There are some answers surprisingly admission of sort one does not expect, and in circumstances changed hugely since they are all the more precious as they provide an insight into the lonely person that this strong leader of a democracy with almost a billion people as it then was (since then the billion mark has been crossed and well over), a nation she turned from a laughingstock to one to be reckoned with, or a beginning thereof, with some help from above.

Daughter of the most beloved leader of the nation, and yet so lonely in her childhood in the aristocratic setting of the wealthy family that doted on its only son her father who in turn wrote the famous letters to her from his jail sojourn what with the British throwing these guys in and out of jail like so much shifting of grain in a mill. Her ailing mother who approved of her choice of a life partner to take care of the only daughter after her as the father was busy with the nation, the daughter who valiantly turned herself into a helping hand for the father and a formidable leader after him, the admission of her weakness when her one widowed daughter in law was thrown out of the household as soon as the other was brought in when the now aging leader needed her one remaining son to be with her, and more, much more.

I read this well over a decade ago, and what with the history of the nation being that of certain parties quietly wiping off records from various places - a censored film that had its prints burnt during the infamous emergency comes to mind as too another where the dialogues were changed to suit the perception commonly held and the image considered desirable - perhaps the admission of weakness might now have been censored or will be so. Hope not, in the interest of the democracy and truth.

(Wednesday, September 9, 2009.)

I noticed two separate editions and attempting to have a single review brought to notice the recurring September dates including today, September 10, 2010. Wonder why the September mid month recurrence.

(Friday, September 10, 2010.)

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great access, but somewhat biased.