Image Credit: Somerville College- University of oxford
When we think of powerful female leaders in modern history, Indira Gandhi is a name that resonates deeply—not just in India, but across the world. She wasn’t just the first and only woman Prime Minister of India; she was a political force who led the country through wars, reforms, crises, and controversies.
Born into the heart of India’s independence movement, Indira Gandhi's life is a gripping story of legacy, leadership, and the fine line between power and principle.
From Nehru’s Daughter to National Leader
Indira Priyadarshini Nehru was born in 1917, the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. Her childhood was steeped in the freedom struggle. She was no stranger to politics—it was in her blood. Educated in India and Europe, Indira was intellectually sharp and politically aware from a young age. By the time she was elected President of the Indian National Congress in 1959, it was clear she was destined for more than just the sidelines of politics.
In 1966, after the sudden death of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi was chosen as a "safe" compromise candidate for PM. Many saw her as a puppet of the Congress Party leadership. But they underestimated her.
She quickly took bold, independent steps:
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Nationalizing major banks
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Abolishing royal privileges
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Pushing the Green Revolution, making India more self-sufficient in food production
These moves showed her political muscle—and earned her immense popularity with the poor and working class.
The 1971 War and a Historic Victory
One of her greatest moments came in 1971, during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Indira backed East Pakistan’s fight for independence, took in millions of refugees, and led India to a decisive military victory over Pakistan. The result? A new nation: Bangladesh.
This cemented her reputation as a strong global leader. The world saw a woman with steel in her spine—and India saw a leader who could defend its dignity.
But her legacy is complicated.
In 1975, after a court ruled her election invalid, Indira Gandhi declared a national Emergency. Civil liberties were suspended. Political opponents were jailed. The press was muzzled. Mass sterilization drives were pushed under her son Sanjay Gandhi’s influence. Though she claimed it was necessary for national stability, many saw it as a dictatorship in disguise.
In 1977, voters punished her at the ballot box. She lost power—but not for long.
Return, Revenge, and Tragedy
In 1980, she made a stunning comeback. But by then, India was more divided than ever. Sikh separatism was rising in Punjab, and in 1984, Indira ordered Operation Blue Star—a military operation to remove militants from the Golden Temple, Sikhism’s holiest shrine.
Though it achieved its military goal, it alienated many Sikhs and led directly to her assassination by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.
The aftermath was horrific: anti-Sikh riots swept parts of India, claiming thousands of innocent lives.
So, How Should We Remember Indira Gandhi?
Indira Gandhi was a paradox.
She was:
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A woman in a man’s world, who smashed glass ceilings
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A champion of the poor and underprivileged
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A bold leader during war and crisis
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But also a ruler who curbed democracy when it suited her
Her leadership style was fiercely centralized—many called it authoritarian. Yet, her charisma and populist connection with the masses were undeniable.
She remains a polarizing figure: hailed by many as India’s strongest Prime Minister, and condemned by others for undermining democratic institutions.
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