Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t35: Jawaharlal Nehru
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t35
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Jawaharlal Nehru
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Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) was the first Prime Minister of independent India. One of the leading freedom fighters in India’s long struggle for independence, he was a visionary leader contributing immensely to the building of a sovereign, secular, socialist and democratic Indian republic, and its modernisation. As a maverick statesman, he earned world-wide fame for promoting the theory of Panchshila and developing a third front of non-aligned nations. His belief and faith in children building a modern nation earned him the nickname ‘chacha’ (uncle) Nehru.
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Born on November 14, 1889 in the present city of Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, Jawaharlal belonged to a wealthy migrant Kashmiri Brahmin family. His father, Motilal Nehru was an eminent lawyer and nationalist of his time, participating actively in the newly emerging Indian National Congress. His mother was Swaroop Rani Kaul. After having his early education at home, he went to England in 1905 at the age of 16 to complete his formal education. He joined the prestigious Harrow School, then went
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*Jawaharlal Nehru*
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to Trinity College of the University of Cambridge to study science, and finally graduated with a law degree from the Inner Temple. Returning to India in 1912, he started practising law, married Kamala in 1916, and became a father with the birth of Indira in 1917. Influenced by the contemporary political currents developing in India against the foreign British rule, he however gradually plunged himself fully in politics.
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In 1919, Jawaharlal officially joined the Indian National Congress and came into close contact with Mahatma Gandhi. A close bond soon developed between him and Gandhi, which remained strong throughout their lifetimes in spite of their divergent views on the question of modernity in India. As the closest lieutenant of Gandhi, Jawaharlal fully endorsed the path of non-violence and satyagraha [passive resistance] for the freedom of India. During the long freedom struggle, he was jailed several times due to his extended sentences between 1932 - 1935 and 1942-1945. Under the organisational leadership of the Indian National Congress, he along
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*Jawaharlal Nehru with Mahatma Gandhi*
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with Gandhi and other leaders spearheaded the mass political movement that led to the British acceptance of the Indian demand for freedom.
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In 1946, when the interim government was formed in India, Nehru was Gandhi’s automatic choice for the post of prime minister. Having garnered the trust of the masses, he adroitly dealt with the issue of transfer of power and other political matters. Finally on August 15, 1947, he became the first prime minister of independent India. Voted to power in subsequent general elections, he held this position until his death on May 27, 1964. He also simultaneously held the position of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In both positions, his tenure is known for his steadfast commitment to ideals of a secular democratic society, promotion of high level of industrialisation as part of the mixed economy model, and creation of an effective third front of the non-aligned nations based on the theory of Panchshila at the international level.
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Nehru was a creative writer too. His internment in jails was spent in writing. He produced some of his best known books there, such as *Letters from a Father to his Daughter* (1929), *Glimpses of World History* (1934), *Toward Freedom* (1936) and *The Discovery of India* (1946). These books not only established him as an excellent writer, but displayed his deeper understanding of the world and India’s role in it. Both locally and globally, these generated self confidence in India’s tryst with destiny and disseminated positive images of resurgent India.
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*Jawaharlal Nehru during his visit to China at the Xiangshan Temple of Azure Clouds paying his respects to Sun Yat-sen in Beijing on October 27, 1954,*
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*Jawaharlal Nehru visits a Social Welfare Kindergarten in Shanghai on October 28, 1954*
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Nehru admired China, which is evident from his detailed and eloquent description and praise for the country in his books on *Glimpses of World History* as well as in the *Discovery of India*. He wrote, “During the thousand years and more of intercourse between India and China, each country learnt something from the other, not only in the regions of thought and philosophy, but also in the arts and sciences of life. Probably China was more influenced by India than India by China, which is a pity, for India could well have received, with profit to herself, some of the sound common sense of the Chinese, and with aid checked her own extravagant fancies.” He frequently referred to China as “the other great country of Asia”, and as “India’s old-time friend.” Returning to India after his visit to China in 1939, he confessed that he had become a greater admirer of China. He was greatly impressed by the spontaneous nature of the massive mass welcome during his 1954 visit to the People’s Republic of China. Yet, Nehru also had to witness the 1962 war between these two traditionally friendly countries, and that greatly jolted him. One set of critics blame him for his soft policy, while another for his obdurate stand on China. His long-held friendly view on China, however, still forms the basis for strengthening the relationship between India and China.
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(*Kamal Sheel*)