Jawaharlal Nehru

Indian nationalist leader and statesman. One of Gandhi's chief lieutenants in India's fight for independence from the 1920s to the 1940s. He dedicated his entire life to seeking freedom for his country. On 15 August 1947, Nehru was elected the first Prime Minister of the Independent Dominion of India with Lord Mountbatten as governor-general. One of the most influential and interesting leaders of the 20th century, Nehru remained in this post until his death. When India won her independence it tried to include Pakistan, but Pakistan insisted on their own state and both nations have been in a dispute over Kashmir since that time. On 8 April 1950 Nehru signed the Delhi Pact with Liaqat Ali Khan, the leader of Pakistan.

Nehru was the oldest child of three born to Motilal, a wealthy Brahman lawyer from Kashmir, and Swarup Rani, who had ties to Lahore, Nehru attended a Convent School for six months in 1896. By 1900 the family had moved to Allahabad and they resided in a palatial home with a swimming pool and tennis courts. An only child for 11 years, he was a voracious reader with areas of interest in literature, history, science, philosophy and economics. From 1902-1904 he was tutored at home then left for schooling at Harrow, England in 1905. In 1907 he entered Trinity College, Cambridge receiving a degree in natural science and his law degree in 1910, returning to India in 1912 with a British accent. He practiced law for some years and there was fierce competition between his politically moderate father and him. With his interest in politics and nationalistic attitude, he grew from a slightly bored young lawyer into an orator who could move and lead the Indian masses. Although he could have been a Kashmiri prince, he chose to work toward an independent India.

Nehru met Mohandas Gandhi for the first time in 1916 and recognized his amazing ability to rouse the masses. Recognizing the similarity in their ideals for their country, Gandhi treated Nehru like a son.