Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi was an Indian politician. She was born in Allahabad, India, in 1917. She was the first and only female Prime Minister of India. She served as prime minister for a total of about 15 years.

Early Life

Gandhi was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. She grew up surrounded by politics. She studied in India, Switzerland, and England. She joined the Indian independence movement as a young woman.

A photograph of Indira Gandhi, once leader of India.
A photograph of Indira Gandhi, once leader of India. (Indira Gandhi memorial / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Gandhi became Prime Minister of India in 1966. She led India through a war with Pakistan in 1971. She pushed for modernization and helped India become more self-sufficient in food production. She was a strong and sometimes controversial leader.

Fun Facts

  • Indira Gandhi was not related to Mahatma Gandhi. They shared the same last name by coincidence.
  • She was voted the greatest female leader of the past century in a BBC poll.
  • She was the second-longest-serving prime minister of India.

Did You Know?

Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984. Despite the controversies of her leadership, she remains one of the most important figures in Indian history. She proved that women could lead one of the world's largest countries.