Indira Gandhi: Life in Pictures

It has been 26 years since prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on Oct 31, 1984. Events of those days are still fresh in memory. Worshipped by her supporters and cursed by her enemies, who later assassinated her, Indira Gandhi paved the way for democracy in India during the twentieth century.
Through the glorious chapters of history, we bring you pictures that bear testimony to the global icon and woman of substance, Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi: Life in Pictures

Born in the politically influential Nehru family, Indira grew up in an extremely charged political atmosphere. Her grandfather, Motilal Nehru, was a prominent Indian nationalist leader. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement and the first Prime Minister of Independent India.

Indira Gandhi: Life in Pictures

Young Indira studied at the Oxford and returned to India 1941. She soon became involved in the Indian Independence movement. In the 1950s, she served her father as a personal assistant during his tenure as the first Prime Minister of India. Throughout this period, Indira focused on social welfare.

Indira Gandhi: Life in Pictures

After her father's death in 1964, Indira was appointed as a member of the Rajya Sabha by the President of India and became a member of the Cabinet as Minister of Information and Broadcasting. In January 1966, when Lal Bahadur Shastri died, Gandhi was elected leader of the Congress Party in Parliament and became the third prime minister of independent India.

Indira Gandhi: Life in Pictures

Gandhi assumed office at a very critical time in the history of India. She inherited a nation still demoralised after its defeat in the 1962 war with China, a party with an ongoing struggle for power and a country caught in the midst of drought and a deepening economic crisis. With courage, Indira Gandhi took on the challenge of helping the nation tide over the crisis.