India’s Most Controversial Relationship
By: Karthick Nambi
Tags: India, Love, Culture, History, Relationships

India’s Most Controversial Relationship

Subject of two books, the relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten, is still controversial in India.

Nehru with the Mountbattens. Source-Wikipedia

It was the last rites of Edwina Mountbatten, the wife of Lord Mountbatten the last Viceroy of India, on 25 February 1960. HMS Wakeful took her body and buried it in the sea as per her wishes.

Another navy ship shadowed HMS Wakeful from which the British government recorded the last rites of Edwina Mountbatten. After the rituals, the shadowing ship reached the burial site and dropped Marigold flowers.

The shadowing ship was INS Trishul, which made the mysterious trip under the Indian prime minister’s orders. The trip raised questions on the alleged relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten.

The Mountbattens:

Edwina and Mountbatten.Source-Wikipedia

Edwina Mountbatten was born in 1900. She was energetic and moved among the royal and elite families of Britain.

She fell in love with Lord Mountbatten, and they both married on 18 July 1922. Lord Mountbatten was the uncle of Prince Philip, who is married to Queen Elizabeth II.

Lord Mountbatten served as the commander of Allied in Southwest Asia during World War II. He headed many sabotage operations deep inside enemy lines. Edwina Mountbatten traveled with Lord Mountbatten in his adventures around the world.

In the Netflix series “The Crown,” Lord Mountbatten speaks to the Queen that he has a wife who has a very high spirit. It is an emphasis on the electrifying social life Edwina lived.

Mountbatten inspecting sailors before the famous Bruneval raid.Source-Wikipedia

After the war, Mountbatten’s next task as Viceroy and Governor General, was to split and declare British India as two independent nations: India and Pakistan. It was a tough job, and to make it worse, he postponed independence by ten months.

Edwina Mountbatten and her daughter Pamela Mountbatten also moved to India. Edwina Mountbatten, with her charm, soon became a center point of Indian politics. Especially her relationship with Jawaharlal Nehru was a controversial one.

Nehru and Edwina:

Jawaharlal Nehru was the head of the Indian National Congress and the most powerful politician in India.

Jawaharlal Nehru locked horns with Mohammed Ali Jinnah, who supported a separate Pakistan. Lord Mountbatten was unable to control the angry Nehru. However, Edwina Mountbatten was able to convince Nehru in many cases.

The fact was evident in the famous book “Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire” by Alex von Tunzelmann and “ Daughter of Empire: Life as a Mountbatten,” a first-hand account of Edwina Mountbatten’s daughter Pamela Mountbatten.

Pamela Mountbatten with Gandhi. Source-Wikipedia

Both books suggest the fact that Nehru and Edwina had a rather discreet relationship. Both enjoyed each other’s company, and Lord Mountbatten turned a blind eye on it.

Edwina Mountbatten influenced many crucial decisions leading up to India’s independence. Gandhi raised his concern on Edwina’s influence, but Nehru silenced it. India Pakistan partition caused the worst humanitarian crisis in Asia.

Edwina Mountbatten rushed to the border and helped the affected people. Edwina’s departure to Britain emotionally moved Nehru.

Last Trip:

The funeral. Source-YouTube

Edwina continued her humanitarian works and died on 21 February 1960. As per her will, Britain buried her body in the sea.

Jawaharlal Nehru sent INS Trishul, an Indian Navy ship, to accompany Edwina on her last trip. INS Trishul dropped Marigold flowers at the site of burial as a mark of respect to Edwina. Politicians and media in India raised the question of the special respect given to Edwina. Nehru gave a diplomatic answer to the allegation.

An Indian movie was planned on Nehru and Edwina’s relationship but got canceled due to the Indian government’s pressure. Edwina’s daughter has no reservation about the relationship and wrote a book on it. Still, the Indian government is trying to cover it up.