26 BEST INDIAN POLITICAL LEADERS OF ALL TIME

TOPICS : Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | Republic Day | Manmohan Singh | Narendra Modi | Arvind Kejriwal

Over the course of its magnificent history, India has been led by the most charismatic of leaders who have guided this country’s people and served as an inspiration for all of us. Let us pay tribute to 26 of them:

1. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

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The first prime Minister of India ruled a chaotic newborn country right from its independence in 1947 until his death in 1964. Nehru’s legacy is that of an extremely liberal, socialist and secular leader, who under the apprenticeship of Mahatma Gandhi, firmly put India on the course in which it runs today. Nehru was a man of letters and is also credited with creating the Planning Commission of India.

2. B. R. Ambedkar

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One of the greatest personalities ever born in India, Ambedkar was a jurist, political leader, philosopher, anthropologist, historian, revolutionary, writer and much more. He was a revolutionary leader and held forth on his views even if they went against the popular grain. He also revived Buddhism in India, a legacy still seen in Dalit communities, who’s cause Ambedkar championed throughout his life. Ambedkar is also known as the Father of the Indian Constitution, on behalf of which the nation celebrated Republic Day.

3. Atal Behari Vajpayee

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The recipient of the Padma Vibhushan in 1992, he is one of the most respected political leaders in India’s history. The only prime minister to serve a full term outside the Congree Party, Vajpayee was known to be a liberal within the BJP, a party with extreme right views. He fearlessly led the nuclear tests in

4. Lal Bahadur Shastri

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Filling the boots of Jawaharlal Nehru was never going to be an easy task, but Lal Bahadur Shastri did just that, and with elan. He gave India a slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisaan’ and worked extensively for farmer sector in India in continuation of Nehru’s socialist policies. India’s decisive victory in the war against Pakistan in 1965 while he was Prime Minister elevated the country’s mood after its defeat to China earlier and turned him into a hero to cherish forever.

5. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

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India was not inherited as a whole piece of land upon Independence. It was divided into princely states whose leaders demanded uncontrolled privileges or sought to remain as neutral territories. Dealing with each of them sternly and firmly earned Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel the sobriquet of India’s Iron Man. He also established the civil services division in Indian administration.

6. Subhash Chandra Bose

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Though he served as a member of the Indian National Congress only for a small duration, he had a great impact on the country’s armed forces. One of the few leaders who supported armed revolt to overthrow British rule in India, Bose even formed an army that reported to him called Indian National Army and sought the support of Japan to defeat Britishers in the country. Although his Army failed to directly drive out the British, former Britain PM Clement Atlee conceded that Bose’s activities played a major role in the withdrawal of Britain from India.

7. Indira Gandhi

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Indira Gandhi served as a Prime Minister for 11 years and is credited for initiating the Green Revolution in India. The only child of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira wielded a lot of influence in the Congress Party and the sentiments of the public. She was known to be ruthless during her term as Prime Minister that lifted India out of a policy quagmire and firmly placed the development of the country on the fast track. A controversial figure because of the Emergency and subsequent assassination in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star, Indira was named as India’s greatest Prime Minister at the turn of the century.

8. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

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Rajendra Prasad was the first President of independent India. He is also considered to be one of the architects of India’s Republic and also served as the president of India’s Constituent Assembly. Prasad is credited with being bipartisan and acting on merit. He is still the only President to have been elected for the President’s position twice.

9. APJ Abdul Kalam

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The man with the frizzy hair and India’s favourite grandpa, APJ Abdul Kalam was one of the most proactive President of recent times. He is also known as People’s President and India’s Missile Man for advancing India’s ballistic missile programs. Known for championing youth causes’, Kalam also launched the What Can I Give movement in 2011 to defeat corruption and realize his life goal of turning India into a developed country by 2020.

10. Dadabhai Naoroji

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One of the earliest political leaders of India, he was also involved in business like cotton trading. He was also one of India’s early educationists and sought to clear concepts of Zoroastrianism amongst the local populace in Bombay. Naoroji was also a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons between 1892 and 1895 in the UK, becoming the first Asian to be a British MP.

11. Jyoti Basu

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Jyoti Basu holds the record for serving as the longest chief minister of any state in India after holding that post in power from 1977 to 2000 in West Bengal as a CPI(M) politician. He was also one of India’s most well-known atheists. Basu designed the land reform plan in India and initiated panchayati raj for farmers in West Bengal. Never one to follow Communism by the book, Basu made it his mission to give the lower strata of society its due and always upheld communal harmony.

12. Shashi Tharoor

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One of the most charming leaders in the country today, Shashi Tharoor is also the country’s most well-known diplomat and writer from the political stream. Tharoor is known to have his own views about various issues plaguing the country and is not afraid of being vocal about them. Some of his comments have earned him the ire of the Congress party and he has also been dragged into the Kochi IPL controversy, but his popularity amongst the youth especially, is unwavering. Tharoor is also one of the most tech-savvy politicians who created a direct channel with Indians with his Twitter account.

13. E M Sankaran Namboodiripad

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When he took oath as the first chief minister of Kerala, E M Sankaran Namboodiripad or EMS as he was known, also became the first Communist leader to have been elected democratically in India. EMS pioneered the land and education system in Kerala that has become a model for other states and contributed to the rise and rise of literacy in Kerala. He also played an active role within the CPI(M) party and brought it to national prominence in the 60s and 70s. Besides this, he was a well-known journalist and writer as well.

14. N.T.Rama Rao

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N.T. Rama Rao, popularly known as NTR, served as CM of Andhra Pradesh for three terms riding on the back of his immensely successful films, in which he mostly played deities Rama and Krishna. His portrayal of mythological characters translated into record wins from audiences when he decided to turn into a politician by founding the Telugu Desam Party. NTR was known to be passionate about the Andhra cause, equal rights for women and introduced many populist schemes for his state. He was an astute politician and was also involved in forming the National Front that ruled the country from 1989 to 1991 under which the Mandal Commission’s recommendation of implementing 27 per cent reservations for OBCs was implemented.

15. M. G. Ramachandran

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M. G. Ramachandran, or MGR for his fans, was one of the most influential politicians in Tamil Nadu. MGR was a superstar actor in Tamil films and joined the Congress party after being influenced by Gandhian values. He later joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and became as popular in the party as he was among his film fans. In 1972 he formed his own party called Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and riding on his popularity emerged as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977 and remained so until his death in 1987. He was known for his focus on education and the earliest proponents of mid0day meals that incentivized children to attend schools. MGR was also known for his philanthropic activities. The frenzy and looting that followed his death remains unparalleled to this day and is a testament to his popularity.

16. Sonia Gandhi

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Sonia Gandhi is about to complete 15 years as the President of the Indian National Congress Party. Keeping the grand old party of India under check and voicing her opinions ever so often on the state of the affairs in the country. Sonia Gandhi’s legacy will never be fully known unless somebody spills the beans on how much influence she actually wields in government decisions. She is known to have played an important role in passing important bills such as National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Right to Information Act. The cash transfers scheme for poor people is the latest initiative from Sonia Gandhi.

17. Rajiv Gandhi

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One of the most dashing leaders the country has ever seen, Rajiv was the man behind diminishing the License Raj, gave a push to science and technology and also introduced the telecommunication revolution in India. He took office as Prime Minister of India at the age of 40 after his mother Indira was assassinated in 1984. In the elections held immediately thereafter, the Congress party won an unprecedented 411 seats out of 542 across the country. Known to be a patron of arts, Rajiv also introduced INTACH in 1984 to preserve India’s rich heritage.

18. Manmohan Singh

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Manmohan Singh may be a much reviled figure today but no one deny his contribution in lifting the country out of an economic morass in 1991 by opening up the economy. The transformation from socialism and capitalism was a long time coming and Manmohan ensured that the transition went off smoothly. Under his leadership, India achieved the US $ 1 trillion economy milestone. The strong growth recorded by the country over the past few years must go to Manmohan and team.

19. Zakir Hussain

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Dr Zakir Hussain was the first Muslim President of India and the founder of Jamia Milia Islamia, one of India’s most recognized university. His dedication to education and efforts to keep Jamia Milia Islamia running even under dire circumstances earned him praise from unexpected quarters, including arch rival Mohammed Ali Jinnah. The current foreign minister Salman Khurshid is the grandson of Dr Hussain.

20. P. V. Narasimha Rao

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Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister when Manmohan Singh opened up the economy in 1991, a role for which he is known as the Father of Indian Economic Reforms. He also introduced computer based trading system of the National Stock Exchange in 1994 and encouraged FDI inflows into the country to revive its flagging economy. He also took important decisions that strengthened the internal security of the country. An astute politician, he passed several important laws through a mixture of cunning and guile even though he headed a minority government.

21. Morarji Desai

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India’s first non-Congress Prime Minister, Morarji Desai was the architect of India’s nuclear program. A strict follower of Gandhi’s non-violence movement, his peace overtures were so successful that Desai remains the only politician to have received Pakistan’s highest civilian award Nishan-e-Pakistan from President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Desai is also credited with promoting social, health and administrative reforms in the country.

22. Sunil Dutt

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India’s only worthwhile sports Minister, Sunil Dutt is a well-known former actor. He later joined the Congress party and was elected for a record five terms to Parliament. Dutt was known to be a pacifist leader and promoted communal harmony in Mumbai. He also founded the Nargis Dutt foundation to treat cancer patients. Dutt was one of the rare actor-turned-politician who genuinely sought to change the state of the country in his own way.

23. Narendra Modi

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Narendra Modi has the power to divide opinions into two polar opposites. If you see him as the force behind the 2002 riots in Gujarat then you will have to turn a willful blind eye to the economic prosperity and sense of pride he has infused in his community. His supporters call him a tight-fisted leader while his detractors call him a mild dictator. Whichever way you look at it, Modi’s legacy in politics is undoubtable.

24. Jairam Ramesh

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As our economy has grown in leaps and bounds, the ecology has suffered in equal measure. Mining and logging rights have been given at throwaway prices to corporate, escalating the conflict with Maoists in the country. Into this mess Jairam Ramesh sought to create a clear and transparent way of dealing with rights, clearing the Forests Rights Act bill and halting the controversial genetically modified food production in India.

25. Jayaprakash Narayan

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Jayaprakash Narayan has been an important leader who first came into prominence for opposing Indira Gandhi at the height of her powers. In 1974, he called for a peaceful Total Revolution after leading a students’ movement in Bihar. Although he never became a force to reckon with within politics, Narayan was the first leader who commanded huge crowds for his political stands, a position that was taken over by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwalrecently.

26. Nitish Kumar

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One of the cleanest ministers to emerge out of Bihar in recent times, Nitish Kumar, a protégé of Jayaprakash Narayan, is also known as an efficient taskmaster. Under his rule, the state recovered from massive economic collapse and powerful corruption. Kumar fast tracked development projects, appointed over a lakh teachers to improve education standards and most importantly, brought crime under control in Bihar, a state long known for its lawlessness. Bihar is slowly turning a corner with migrants from the state eager to take part in the success story created under Kumar’s rule.

भारत की राजनीति

भारत की राजनीति संयुक्त संसदीय प्रतिनिधीय लोकतांत्रिक राज्य के ढांचे में ढली है, जहां पर प्रधानमंत्री सरकार का प्रमुख होता है, और बहु-दलीय तंत्र होता है । शासन एवं सत्ता सरकार के हाथ में होती है । संयुक्त वैधानिक बागडोर सरकार एवं संसद के दोनो सदनों, लोक सभा एवं राज्य सभा के हाथ में होती है । न्याय मण्डल शासकीय एवं वैधानिक, दोनो से स्वतंत्र होता है। पर इस वक़्त लोकतंत्र से फॉरवर्ड बैकवर्ड कास्ट वाली भावनाओं को हटाने की जरुरत है ! नहीं तो बैक्वोर्ड समाज लुट लुट कर ख़तम ही हो जायेगा! इसके लिए अलग से कोई नियम बनाने के बजाये अपनी मन से बुरे भावनाओ को हटाना होगा ! जो सायद संभव नहीं है ! पर पक्षपात वाली राजनीती घातक सिध्ध हो सकती है

संविधान के अनुसार, भारत एक प्रधान, समाजवादी, धर्म-निरपेक्ष, लोकतांत्रिक राज्य है, जहां पर सरकार जनता के द्वारा चुनी जाती है । अमेरिका की तरह, भारत में भी संयुक्त सरकार होती है, लेकिन भारत में केन्द्र सरकार राज्य सरकारों की तुलना में अधिक शक्तिशाली है, जो कि ब्रिटेन की संसदीय प्रणाली पर आधारित है । बहुमत की स्थिति में न होने पर सरकार न बना पाने की दशा में अथवा विशेष संवेधानिक परिस्थिति के अंतर्गत, केन्द्र सरकार राज्य सरकार को निष्कासित कर सकती है, और सीधे संयुक्त शासन लागू कर सकती है, जिसेराष्ट्रपति शासन कहा जाता है ।

Indira Gandhi – विश्व राजनीति की लौह महिला इन्दिरा गांधी

जीवन परिचय

स्वतंत्र भारत की पहली महिला प्रधानमंत्री रही इंदिरा गांधी का जन्म प्रसिद्ध नेहरू परिवार में 19 नवंबर, 1917 को इलाहाबाद में हुआ था. इंदिरा गांधी का पूरा नाम इंदिरा प्रियदर्शिनी गांधी है. इनके पिता पं. जवाहर लाल नेहरू देश के पहले प्रधानमंत्री होने के साथ साथ वकालत के पेशे से भी संबंधित थे. इंदिरा गांधी का परिवार आर्थिक रूप से संपन्न होने के साथ-साथ बौद्धिक रूप से भी काफी सशक्त था. इनके पिता और दादा (मोतीलाल नेहरू) दोनों ही स्वतंत्रता आंदोलनों में अपनी सक्रिय भूमिका निभा रहे थे जिसका प्रभाव इंदिरा गांधी पर भी पड़ा. परिवार की राजनीति और स्वतंत्रता संग्राम में अत्याधिक सक्रियता और मां कमला नेहरू की बीमारी की वजह से बालिका इंदिरा को शुरू से ही पढ़ाई के लिए अनुकूल माहौल उपलब्ध नहीं हो पाया था, जिस कारण इनकी प्रारंभिक शिक्षा घर पर ही हुई. आगे की शिक्षा इन्होंने पश्चिम बंगाल के विश्वभारती विश्वविद्यालय और इंगलैंड के ऑक्सफोर्ड यूनिवर्सिटी से प्राप्त की.

इंदिरा गांधी का व्यक्तित्व

पढ़ाई में एक सामान्य दर्जे की छात्रा रही इंदिरा प्रियदर्शिनी गांधी को विश्व राजनीति में लौह-महिला के रूप में जाना जाता है. वैयक्तिक तौर पर वह एक दृढ़ निश्चयी और निर्णय लेने में आत्म-निर्भर महिला थीं. माता की खराब सेहत और पिता की व्यस्तता के चलते उनका अधिकांश बचपन नौकरों के साथ बीता. भले ही राजनैतिक पृष्ठभूमि और स्वतंत्रता आंदोलनों की वजह से उन्हें परिवार का अपेक्षित दुलार प्राप्त नहीं हो सका, लेकिन ब्रिटिश काल में भारत के बिगड़ते हालातों ने उन्हें इन आंदोलनों और संपूर्ण स्वाधीनता की जरूरत को भली प्रकार समझा दिया था. इन्दिरा गांधी ने अपने पिता को कार्यकताओं को संबोधित करते हुए सुना था. परिवार में अकेले होने के कारण उनका अधिकतर समय पिता की नकल करते हुए ही गुजरता था. उनके जैसी भाषण शैली में उनके पिता पं जवाहर नेहरू के प्रभाव को महसूस किया जा सकता था. ऐसी सामाजिक और पारिवारिक परिस्थितियों ने उन्हें एक मजबूत व्यक्तित्व प्रदान किया जो आगे चलकर उनके सफल राजनैतिक जीवन का आधार बना.

इंदिरा गांधी का राजनैतिक योगदान

गुलाम भारत की चिंतनीय स्थिति को इंदिरा ने बचपन में ही भांप लिया था. उनको यह समझ आ गया था कि किसी भी राष्ट्र के लिए स्वतंत्रता कितनी जरूरी है. क्रांतिकारियों और आंदोलनकारियों की सहायता करने के उद्देश्य से उन्होंने अपने हम उम्र बच्चों और कुछ मित्रों के सहयोग से ‘वानर सेना’ का गठन किया जिनका उद्देश्य देश की आजादी के लिए लड़ रहे लोगों को गुप्त और महत्वपूर्ण सूचनाएं प्रदान करना था. इंदिरा प्रियदर्शिनी गांधी को राजनीति की समझ विरासत में मिली थी, जिसकी वजह से जल्दी ही उनका प्रवेश राजनीति में हो गया था. यहां तक की पं जवाहर लाल नेहरू भी कई मसलों पर इंदिरा गांधी की राय लेते और उसे मानते भी थे. उचित और तुरंत निर्णय लेने की क्षमता ने कॉग्रेस सरकार में इंदिरा गांधी की महत्ता और उनके कद को कई गुणा बना दिया था. अपने दृढ़ और संकल्पशील आचरण की वजह से वह दो बार देश की प्रधानमंत्री रहीं. खलिस्तान आंदोलन को कुचलने और स्वतंत्र भारत में व्याप्त रजवाड़ों का प्रीवी-पर्स समाप्त करने का श्रेय इंदिरा गांधी को ही जाता है. अपनी राजनैतिक जिम्मेदारी को बखूबी निभाते हुए उन्होंने दो दशकों तक देश को मंदी के हालातों से बचाए रखा. देश को अधिक मजबूत और सशक्त बनाने के लिए इंदिरा गांधी ने कई प्रयास भी किए. इसके अलावा देश में पहला परमाणु विस्फोट करने का श्रेय भी मुख्य रूप से इंदिरा गांधी को ही जाता है.

इंदिरा गांधी की उपलब्धियां

अपने राजनैतिक कार्यकाल में उन्होंने कई उपलब्धियों को हासिल किया जिनमें निम्न प्रमुख हैं.

• बैंकों का राष्ट्रीयकरण सर्वप्रथम इंदिरा गांधी ने ही किया था.
• रजवाड़ों का प्रीवी-पर्स समाप्त करना उनकी एक महत्वपूर्ण उपलब्धि है.
• ऑप्रेशन-ब्लू स्टार जिससे खालिस्तानी आंदोलन को समाप्त किया गया इंदिरा गांधी के आदेशों के अंतर्गत ही चलाया गया था.
• पांचवी पंचवर्षीय योजना के अंतर्गत गरीबी हटाओ का नारा दिया और देश से निर्धनता समाप्त करने के बीस सूत्रीय कार्यक्रमों का निर्धारण किया गया.

इंदिरा गांधी का निधन

खलिस्तान समर्थकों ने उनके द्वारा चलाए गए ऑप्रेशन ब्लू-स्टार का बहुत विरोध किया लेकिन इंदिरा ने इस ऑपरेशन को वापस नहीं लिया और उनके इस फैसले से नाराज उनके अंगरक्षकों ने ही उन्हें 31 अक्टूबर, 1984 को गोली मार दी.

इंदिरा गांधी का राजनैतिक जीवन काफी उतार-चढ़ाव भरा रहा. देश पर इमरजेंसी लगा मानवाधिकारों का हनन करना हो या खलिस्तान के विरोध में चलाया गया ऑप्रेशन ब्लू-स्टार जैसे कदमों पर आलोचकों और समाजशास्त्रियों द्वारा उनकी आलोचनाएं भी की जाती रहीं. आलोचकों का मानना है कि खलिस्तान के समर्थन में आंदोलन पहले इंदिरा गांधी और ज्ञानी जैल सिंह ने ही शुरू किया था लेकिन फिर बाद में इंदिरा ने ही इस आंदोलन को समाप्त करने के लिए ऑप्रेशन ब्लू-स्टार चलाया. लेकिन अपनी आलोचनाओं से वह घबराई नहीं बल्कि उनका सामना किया और आगे बढ़ीं. अपने फौलादी व्यक्तित्व और सकारात्मक दृष्टिकोण की वजह विश्व में उन्हें सबसे ताकतवर महिलाओं की श्रेणी में गिना जाता है. भारतीय राजनीति में उनके निर्णयों को मिसाल के तौर पर देखा जाता है. आज भी कई युवा जो राजनीति में अपना कॅरियर बनाना चाहते हैं इंदिरा गांधी को ही अपना आदर्श मानते हैं.

History of Indian politics

In the conventional narrative, Indian history begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization in such sites as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Lothal, followed by the coming of the Aryans. These two phases are usually described as the pre-Vedic and Vedic periods. It is in the Vedic period that Hinduism first arose, though some elements of Hinduism are clearly drawn from the Indus Valley civilization. In the fourth century BCE, large parts of India were united under the emperor Ashoka; he also converted to Buddhism, and it is in his reign that Buddhism first spread to other parts of Asia. It is during the time of the Mauryas that Hinduism first began to take the shape that fundamentally informs the religion down to the present day, though popular or Puranic Hindism is generally dated to around the beginning of the Christian Era. Successor states were more fragmented. Islam first came to India in the eighth century, and by the eleventh century had firmly established itself in India as a political force; the North Indian dynasties of the Lodhis, Tughlaqs, and numerous others, whose remains are visible in Delhi and scattered elsewhere around North India, were finally succeeded by the Mughal empire, under which India once again achieved a large measure of political unity. These are certainly the generally accepted contours of Indian history before the advent of colonialism, though specialists are all inclined to write this history with particular emphases and accents.

The European presence in India dates to the sixteenth century, and it is in the very early part of the eighteenth century that the Mughal empire began to disintegrate, paving the way for regional states. In the contest for supremacy, the English emerged victors, their rule marked by the conquests at the battlefields of Plassey and Buxar. The Rebellion of 1857-58, which sought to restore Indian supremacy, was crushed; and with the subsequent crowning of Victoria as Empress of India, the incorporation of India into the empire was complete. By the early part of the twentieth century, a nationalist movement had emerged; and by 1919-20, Mohandas Karamchand ('Mahatma') Gandhi had emerged as, if not the virtually undisputed leader of this movement, certainly its most well-known and formidable architect. Successive campaigns had the effect of driving the British out of India in 1947, but not before they had partitioned it, and carved out the Muslim-majority state of Pakistan -- later itself dismembered into Pakistan and Bangladesh..
The first prime minister of independent India was Jawaharlal Nehru, who held office from 1947 until his death in 1964. Apart from a short period of two years from 1975-77, when an internal emergency was imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and constitutional liberties were suspended, India has been a thriving parliamentary democracy. For a capsule political history of India in the post-1947 period, readers are invited to turn to the “Independent India” section of this site, where they will also find other specialized articles, as well as the “Current Affairs” section of MANAS, where readers will be able to find articles on selected political and social phenomena of recent years.

1947–1950
The situation in early years of independent India were full of disruptive events like  Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. The Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India from West Punjab, North-West Frontier of Punjab, Baluchistan, East Bengal and Sindh after the communal violence in Pakistan.

Nathuram Godse, a revolutionary affiliated with the Hindu Nationalist movement  held Mahatma Gandhi responsible for India’s partition  and also accused him of appeasing Muslims. He assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948.

In 1949, Hindu refugees fled into West Bengal and other states from East Pakistan following communal violence, bullying and repression from Muslim authorities. The treaty signed by Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan plighted to protect minorities and to create minorities commission by both India and Pakistan. Both also signed a trade agreement, to resolve bilateral disputes through peaceful means.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel lead Government of India for political negotiations backed with the option (and, on several occasions, the use) of military action to ensure the primacy of the Central government and of the Constitution then being drafted.

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India, that was drafted by a committee headed by B. R. Ambedkar, on November 26, 1949 and came into force w.e.f January 26,1950. India became a democratic republic and Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President of India.

1950s and 1960s

India held its first constitutional elections in 1952. The National Congress Party won majority, and Jawaharlal Nehru was made Prime Minister & Dr. Rajendra Prasad was re-elected as President of India.

Congress won 1957 and 1962 elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Nehru. The Parliament passed panoptic reforms to give more legal rights to women, and also framed laws against caste discrimination and untouchability. Many schools, colleges and institutions for providing primary and advanced learning, such as the Indian Institutes of Technology were founded across the nation. He firmly advocated socialist model for Indian economy. No taxes were imposed on Indian farmers, minimum wage and benefits for working-class, and the nationalization of steel, aviation, shipping, electricity and mining industries.

States Reorganization Act was passed in 1956 by the States Reorganization Commission, who directed the creation of new states on the basis of spoken language and ethnic demographics.

Lal Bahadur Shastri succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru after his demise as Prime Minister. The Tashkent Agreement was signed on January 10, 1966 between India and Pakistan under the mediation of the Soviet government for establishing peace. Then as a result of the elections nation saw the rise of Indira Gandhi after the death of Lal Bhadur Shastri. She put an end to the privy purse guarantee for former Indian royalty, and waged a major offensive against party hierarchy over the nationalization of India's banks. The Indian National Congress split in the year 1969.

1970s

Indira Gandhi and Congress (R) returned to power winning huge majority in 1971. The banks were nationalized and many other socialist economic and industrial policies were enacted during that period. Bangladesh was separated as a result of Bangladesh Liberation War. India signed a 20-year treaty of friendship with the Soviet Union. In 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test in Pokharan Rajasthan. Sikkim was formally declared as India's 21st state on April 26, 1975.

Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

The Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 was fought for the independence of East Pakistan into the nation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

Indian Emergency

The Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of misusing government machinery for election purposes. Opposition parties conducted nationwide strikes and protests demanding her immediate resignation. In 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared emergency which gave the powers to defend law and order in the nation to the Central government. Explaining the breakdown of law and order and threat to national security as her primary reasons, Mrs. Gandhi suspended many civil liberties and postponed national and state elections. Non-Congress governments in Indian states were dismissed, and opposition political leaders and activists imprisoned. Strikes and public protests were criminalized in all forms.

Indira announced a 20-point programme which enhanced agricultural and industrial production, increasing national growth, productivity and job growth. Indira called for elections in 1977, and was defeated by Janata Party.

Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India. The Desai administration established judicatures to investigate Emergency-era abuses. The coalition crumbled in 1979 and Charan Singh formed an interim government. The Janata party had become intensely unpopular due to its internal conflicts, and its inability to lead India to solve serious economic and social problems.

1980s

Indira Gandhi and her Congress (I) party bounce back into power with a large majority in January, 1980. On October 31, 1984, the Prime Minister's own Sikh bodyguards killed her, and communal violence erupted in Delhi and parts of Punjab.

The Congress party chose Rajiv Gandhi, as the next Prime Minister. Rajiv Gandhi at 40 was the youngest political leader and Prime Minister ever. His administration brought a youthful insight to the existing problems. Congress party had its biggest win under Rajiv with largest majority in history (over 415 seats out of 545 possible).

Rajiv Gandhi relaxed license raj, governmental restrictions on foreign currency, travel, foreign investment and imports. As Prime Minister, Rajiv increased economic aid and scientific cooperation. He also encouraged science and technology which led to the expansion of the telecommunications industry, India's space program and gave birth to the software industry and information technology sector.

In 1987 India acted as mediator in an agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. Rajiv sent Indian Peace Keeping force to enforce the agreement and disarm the Tamil rebels. IPKF was withdrawn by VP Singh in 1990. With the outbreak of Bofors scandal that revealed that senior government officials had taken bribes over defence contracts by a Swedish guns producer shattered Rajiv Gandhi's image of an honest politician.

1990s

On May 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a bomb attack by LTTE when he was campaigning in Tamil Nadu on behalf of Congress (I). In the elections, Congress (I) won 244 parliamentary seats and put together an alliance, returning to power under the leadership of P.V. Narasimha Rao. This government opened the Indian economy to global trade and investment. India's domestic politics also underwent re-shapement and gave way to a plethora of small, regionally-based political parties. India was rocked by communal violence between Hindus and Muslims following the Babri Mosque demolition by Hindu mobs in reply to Ram Janmabhoomi dispute in Ayodhya in 1992.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised in May 1996 national elections as the single-largest party in the Lok Sabha. The power of BJP alignment under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee lasted for only 13 days. A 14-party coalition led by the Janata Dal emerged to form the United Front. A United Front government under H.D. Deve Gowda again lasted for less than a year. The Congress Party withdrew his support in March 1997 and Inder Kumar Gujral replaced Deve Gowda as Prime Minister.

In November 1997, the Congress Party again withdrew support for the United Front. BJP conquered the largest number of seats in Parliament (182) in February 1998 elections. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was again appointed as Prime Minister. On May 11 and 13, 1998, a series of underground nuclear tests were done.

With the fall of BJP-led coalition government in April 1999, elections were held in September. In May and June 1999, Kargil War was fought in Kashmir after India discovered an elaborate campaign of terrorist infiltration. Prime Minister Vajpayee inaugurated the bus service between India and Pakistan. Indian forces killed infiltrators. Terrorism has increased in India with bomb blasts in leading cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur, Bangalore, Hyderabad has been very common over the years.

2000s
A new coalition led by the BJP resulted from Kargil war with Vajpayee as Prime Minister in October 1999. Then Tehelka scandal happened that accused the chief of BJP party of taking unaccounted contributions in return for promised favours, and the CBI gave chargesheet to the senior BJP leaders for inciting the demolition of the Babri mosque. In 2002, tensions increased over the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute when the Vishwa Hindu Parishad challenged the government, by vowing to perform a religious ceremony on the disputed site. This rage resulted in burning of train in Godhra, Gujarat; 59 Hindu activists died in the mishap. This sparked off the 2002 Gujarat violence in which thousands of Hindus and Muslims died.

In January 2004 Vajpayee recommended early dissolution of the Lok Sabha and general elections. The Congress Party-led alliance was victorious in May 2004 elections. Manmohan Singh became the Prime Minister on 22 May 2004. Manmohan Singh became the first Sikh to hold India's most powerful office. Singh has continued economic liberalization. India improved her relations, with many countries and foreign unions. Manmohan Singh talks with American President Barack Obama during the 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh summit at the Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

2010s

The decade began with scams and scandals by the leaders of the ruling party Indian National Congress. The 2G scam, Commonwealth Games scam and the Coal-gate scam brought many prominent leaders of Congress under scrutiny including the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Political activist Anna Hazare launched mass campaigns to issue Jan Lokpal Bill against corruption. Member of Anna Hazare's Anti Corruption Movemnet Arvind Kejriwal launched his  new political party Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at the centre in November 2012. -