Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was a towering figure in global politics, serving as India’s first and only female Prime Minister. Known as the “Iron Lady of India,” her tenure was marked by strong leadership, major social and economic reforms, and defining moments like the 1971 war victory and the controversial Emergency period.
🌟 Quick Wiki / Essential Details
| Particular | Detail |
| Full Name | Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (née Nehru) |
| Famous As | Indira Gandhi, The Iron Lady of India |
| Date of Birth | November 19, 1917 |
| Place of Birth | Allahabad (Prayagraj), United Provinces, British India |
| Date of Death | October 31, 1984 |
| Age at Death | 66 Years |
| Cause of Death | Assassination |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political Party | Indian National Congress (INC) |
| Key Achievement | First and only Female Prime Minister of India |
| Highest Civilian Award | Bharat Ratna (1972) |
👨👩👧👦 Family & Personal Life
Indira Gandhi was born into the prominent Nehru-Gandhi family, which has played a central role in Indian politics for generations.
| Relationship | Name | Note |
| Father | Jawaharlal Nehru | First Prime Minister of India. |
| Mother | Kamala Nehru | Freedom fighter; died when Indira was young. |
| Husband | Feroze Gandhi (m. 1942; d. 1960) | Journalist and politician. |
| Elder Son | Rajiv Gandhi | Served as the 6th Prime Minister of India. |
| Younger Son | Sanjay Gandhi | Politician, prominent figure during the Emergency. |
| Community | Kashmiri Pandit |
Note on Physical Stats (Height, Weight): While historical and personal records confirm her age and family details, precise, consistent records for her Height and Weight are not commonly published in official biographies or historical archives. She was generally considered to be of average Indian female height and build.
🏛️ Political Career & Key Policies
Indira Gandhi’s political life spanned almost two decades as Prime Minister, leaving an indelible mark on modern India.
| Period | Role / Key Events | Impact & Legacy |
| 1959–1960 | President, Indian National Congress | Began her formal leadership role in the party. |
| 1966–1977 (1st Term) | Prime Minister of India | Bank Nationalisation (1969); Abolition of Privy Purses (1971); Green Revolution success; India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. |
| 1975–1977 | The Emergency | A controversial 21-month period where civil liberties were suspended due to internal disturbances, severely criticised for its authoritarian nature. |
| 1980–1984 (2nd Term) | Prime Minister of India | Focus on the Twenty Point Programme for poverty eradication. Her term ended tragically with escalating tensions in Punjab, leading to Operation Blue Star and her subsequent assassination. |
🚀 Major Achievements & Policies
- Garibi Hatao (Remove Poverty): The slogan and subsequent welfare programs that secured her a massive mandate in the 1971 elections.
- Nuclear Program: She oversaw India’s first nuclear test in 1974 (Smiling Buddha), asserting India’s independent nuclear capability.
- Space Program: She championed the development of the Indian space program and institutions like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).