Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad, India. She was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, and Kamala Nehru. Indira Gandhi grew up in a politically active household and was exposed to the independence movement in India from a young age.
Indira Gandhi received her education in India and abroad, studying at schools in India, Switzerland, and England. She attended Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal and Oxford University in England, where she studied history, politics, and economics.
After completing her education, Indira Gandhi returned to India and became involved in the independence movement. She worked alongside her father and other political leaders to fight for India's independence from British rule.
In 1966, Indira Gandhi was elected Prime Minister of India, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the country. As Prime Minister, Gandhi worked to improve the lives of the poor and disadvantaged in India, and she implemented a number of economic and social reform policies.
Gandhi also faced a number of challenges during her time in office, including conflicts with Pakistan and internal political strife. Despite these challenges, she remained a popular and influential figure in India, and she was re-elected as Prime Minister in 1971.
Gandhi served as Prime Minister until 1977, when she was defeated in the general election. She was re-elected in 1980 and served until her assassination in 1984.
Indira Gandhi's legacy in India is complex and controversial. While she is remembered for her efforts to improve the lives of the poor and for her strong leadership during times of crisis, she is also remembered for her authoritarian rule and her use of emergency powers to suppress dissent. Nonetheless, Gandhi remains an important figure in India's history and is remembered for her contributions to the country's development.