Jawaharlal Nehru

**Jawaharlal Nehru** (also referred to as _Pandit Nehru_) (November 14, 1889 - May 27, 1964) was the first prime minister of India for 17 years. He became prime minister after India became independent in 1947.  He was born in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. He died of a heart attack in New Delhi.

Nehru was the first prime minister of India after it became independent from the British rule.

Under British rule, Nehru was jailed many times. During these periods, he used to write long letters to his daughter, Indira, on Indian and World history. These letters were remarkably well written and became very successful books when published later as _Glimpses of World History_ and _The Discovery of India_.

## Personal life

Jawahar Lal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad to Pandit Motilal Nehru and Swarup Rani. His father Motilal Nehru, a lawyer, served twice as the president of Indian National Congress and was an important figure in the Indian freedom struggle. His sister, Vijayalakshmi Pandit was the first woman president of United Nations General Assembly. His daughter Indira Gandhi and grandson Rajiv Gandhi became prime ministers of India.

Nehru received his early education at home and later went to Trinity College, Cambridge and graduated with the honors degree in natural science. He studied Law at Inns of Court school. Nehru returned to India in 1912.

## Infobox (officeholder)

- **name**: Jawaharlal Nehru
- **office**: List of Prime Ministers of India, 1st Prime Minister of India
- **honorific-prefix**: His Excellency
 Pandit
 Bharat Ratna
- **native name lang**: hi
- **image**: Jawaharlal Nehru, 1947.jpg
- **deputy**: Vallabhbhai Patel
- **monarch**: George VI of the United Kingdom, George VI
(until 26 January 1950)
- **predecessor**: Position established
_Himself as Interim Government of India, Vice President of Executive Council_
- **president**: Rajendra Prasad
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- **successor**: Gulzarilal Nanda <small>(Acting)</small>
- **signature**: Jawaharlal Nehru Signature.svg
- **office2**: Minister of Defence (India), Minister of Defence
- **predecessor2**: V. K. Krishna Menon
- **party**: Indian National Congress
- **successor2**: Yashwantrao Chavan
- **birth place**: Allahabad, North-Western Provinces, British Raj, British India
 (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India)
- **death place**: New Delhi, Delhi, India
- **death cause**: Heart Attack
- **resting place**: Raj Ghat and associated memorials, Shantivan
- **relatives**: See Nehru–Gandhi family
- **children**: Indira Gandhi
- **parents**: Motilal Nehru, Pandit Motilal Nehru
Swaruprani Thussu
- **education**: Harrow School, Harrow
- **alma mater**: Trinity College, Cambridge
Inns of Court School of Law, Inns of Court
- **awards**:  Bharat Ratna (1955)
- **governor general**: Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, The Earl Mountbatten of Burma
C. Rajagopalachari, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
(until 26 January 1950)
- **term start**: 15 August 1947
- **term end**: 27 May 1964
- **term start2**: 31 October 1962
- **term end2**: 14 November 1962
- **term start3**: 30 January 1957
- **term end3**: 17 April 1957
- **predecessor3**: Kailash Nath Katju
- **successor3**: V. K. Krishna Menon
- **term start4**: 10 February 1953
- **term end4**: 10 January 1955
- **predecessor4**: N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
- **successor4**: Kailash Nath Katju
- **office5**: Minister of Finance (India), Minister of Finance
- **term start5**: 13 February 1958
- **term end5**: 13 March 1958
- **predecessor5**: T. T. Krishnamachari, Tiruvellore Thattai Krishnamachariar
- **successor5**: Morarji Desai
- **term start6**: 24 July 1956
- **term end6**: 30 August 1956
- **predecessor6**: C. D. Deshmukh, Chintaman Dwarakanath Deshmukh
- **successor6**: T. T. Krishnamachari, Tiruvellore Thattai Krishnamachariar
- **office7**: Minister of External Affairs (India), Minister of External Affairs
- **term start7**: 2 September 1946
- **term end7**: 27 May 1964
- **predecessor7**: Position established
- **successor7**: Gulzarilal Nanda
- **office8**: Interim Government of India, Vice President of Executive Council
- **term start8**: 2 September 1946
- **term end8**: 15 August 1947