Indira Gandhi.

इन्दिरा प्रियदर्शिनी गान्धी

Indira Gandhi — Politician

Born 19 Nov 1917 Allahabad, India

Died 31 Oct 1984 New Delhi, India

Citizenship India

Would Be 108 yr If Living

11 min read

Reading time

2,004

Words

Mar 10, 2026

Published

13

Film credits

4

Books

10

Awards

TL;DR

Indira Gandhi, born on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad, was India’s first and only female prime minister, serving two terms 1966–1977 and 1980–1984. She was the daughter of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and mother of Rajiv Gandhi. Her tenure included the 1971 war with Pakistan, the declaration of Emergency in 1975, and her assassination in 1984.

Identity & family.

KIN · 5

Names, aliases, and relatives of Indira Gandhi — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Native Name इन्दिरा प्रियदर्शिनी गान्धी

Nicknames Mother India

Aliases Late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India

PARENTS: Kamala Nehru Jawaharlal Nehru
SPOUSES: Feroze Gandhi
CHILDREN: Rajiv Gandhi Sanjay Gandhi

At a glance.

STATS

Indira Gandhi by the numbers — life, work, and family.

66 Years lived

13 Film credits

4 Books

10 Awards

1 Marriage

2 Children

Who was Indira Gandhi?

BIOGRAPHY

Indira Gandhi — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Growing up in a politically charged household under British rule, Indira Gandhi was born on 19 November 1917 in Allahabad to Kamala Nehru and Jawaharlal Nehru. She attended Patha Bhavana and Visva-Bharati University, studying under Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, though she never completed a degree. Her education included a stint at Badminton School in England and later Somerville College, Oxford.

Career

Indira Gandhi became India’s third prime minister on January 24, 1966, succeeding Lal Bahadur Shastri. She led India to victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh. In 1975, she declared a state of Emergency after being found guilty of electoral fraud by the Allahabad High Court. She lost power in 1977 but returned as prime minister in January 1980. Her government faced challenges including the Khalistan insurgency in Punjab and the Operation Blue Star in 1984.

Personal life

Indira married Feroze Gandhi in March 1942; they had two sons, Rajiv and Sanjay. She and Feroze lived separately for most of their marriage until his death in 1960. Despite ideological differences, she maintained a friendship with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Her younger son Sanjay wielded significant power during the Emergency, often to her embarrassment.

Legacy

Indira Gandhi remains India’s only female prime minister and the second-longest serving after her father. In 1972, she received the Bharat Ratna for her role in the Bangladesh Liberation War. In 1999, the BBC voted her Woman of the Millennium, and Time magazine included her among 100 women who defined the last century in 2020. Her legacy is complex, marked by both economic progress and authoritarian actions like the Emergency.

Filmography.

FILMS · 13

Browse the complete filmography of Indira Gandhi — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Aap Ki Adalat

1992
TV

Zur Person

1963
Movie

The Adversary

1970
TV

Mukhyamantri

2022
Movie

2012: Time for Change

2010
TV

Decolonisation

2020
Movie

Fire in the Blood

2013

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 10

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Indira Gandhi — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

honorary doctorate of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
honorary doctor of Waseda University
honorary citizen of Kyiv
Order of the Rose
Bharat Ratna
honorary doctor of the Sorbonne Nouvelle University
Gold Olympic Order
Lenin Peace Prize
Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding
Order of José Martí

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 4

Indira Gandhi's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Glimpses of World History

by Jawaharlal Nehru et al.
Amazon

Indira Gandhi, Speeches and Writings

by Indira Gandhi
Amazon

Peoples and Problems

by Indira Gandhi
Amazon

Indira Gandhi, Letters to an American Friend 1950-1984

by Indira Gandhi

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 1

A wall of memorable lines from Indira Gandhi — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Even If I Died in the Service of the Nation, I Would Be Proud of It. Every Drop of My Blood… Will Contribute to the Growth of This Nation and to Make It Strong and Dynamic.

Did you know?

FACTS · 31

Little-known facts about Indira Gandhi — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Indira Gandhi had no relation to Mohandas K. Gandhi; her husband Feroze Gandhi adopted the surname to retain its prestige.
She served as Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1984.
Daughter of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and mother of Rajiv Gandhi.
She was the 5th Prime Minister 24 Jan 1966 – 24 Mar 1977 and 8th Prime Minister 14 Jan 1980 – 31 Oct 1984.
First woman Prime Minister of India and second non-hereditary female leader of a country after Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
Mother-in-law of Sonia Gandhi.
On the day of her assassination, she was scheduled to be interviewed by Academy Award-winning actor Peter Ustinov.
BBC voted her Woman of the Millennium in 1999, ahead of Margaret Thatcher and Marie Curie.
Time Magazine included her in its list of 100 women who defined the last century in 2020.
She had highly cordial relations with military chiefs, particularly Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
Ranked 7th in CNN-IBN’s Greatest Indian poll, below her father Jawaharlal Nehru at 4th.
US President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger infamously called her a bitch after India’s victory in the 1971 war.
Despite ideological differences, she was good friends with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Declared a state of Emergency in 1975 after being found guilty of electoral fraud.
Bollywood film Aandhi 1975 was released during the Emergency and faced a ban in several states.
Admired RSS ideologue Vinayak Savarkar, calling him an unflinching nationalist, but not his affiliated organizations.
She once called Israel a Jewish analogue of Pakistan but later sought to establish diplomatic links through back channels.
During the Emergency, her younger son Sanjay amassed so much power that it was joked the country was run from the Prime Minister’s House.
First Indian Prime Minister to hold no formal college degree; the only other is her son Rajiv Gandhi.
She lived separately from her husband Feroze for most of their marriage; reasons are unclear.
Covertly sponsored the Khalistan Commando Force and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, accused of state terrorism.
The spot of her assassination in the PM’s garden was named Shakti Sthal, meaning Epicenter of Power.
Controversially nominated herself for the Bharat Ratna in 1972 for her role in the Bangladesh Liberation War.
When Lal Bahadur Shastri became PM, she served as Minister of Information and Broadcast but considered relocating to the UK.
Personally knew Benazir Bhutto, the future Prime Minister of Pakistan; their similarities were notable.
Despite socialist leanings, she got along well with US President Ronald Reagan.
Die-hard Star Wars fans sometimes consider her the female version of Emperor Palpatine.
She pulled support from Prime Minister Charan Singh’s government, leading to its collapse and her return to power.
Jokingly called by the press as the only man in her cabinet for her authoritarian style.
Despite close ties with the Soviet Union, she opposed Moscow’s military presence in Afghanistan.
She offered amnesty to veteran Gandhian Jayaprakash Narayan, but he refused.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 41

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Indira Gandhi.

When was Indira Gandhi born?

Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917. She was born in Allahabad, which was then part of the United Provinces in British India.
Where was Indira Gandhi born?

She was born in Allahabad, United Provinces, British India. The city is now in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.
When did Indira Gandhi die?

Indira Gandhi died on October 31, 1984. She was assassinated at her residence in New Delhi.
How old was Indira Gandhi when she died?

She was 66 years old at the time of her death. She would have turned 67 on November 19, 1984.
Where did Indira Gandhi die?

She died in New Delhi, India. Specifically, she was shot in the garden of her residence at 1 Safdarjung Road.
How did Indira Gandhi die?

She was assassinated by her own bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh. The assassination took place on October 31, 1984.
What is Indira Gandhi's name in Hindi?

Her name in Hindi is इन्दिरा प्रियदर्शिनी गान्धी. It means Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi.
What nationality is Indira Gandhi?

She was Indian by nationality. She was born in British India and later became a citizen of independent India.
What languages did Indira Gandhi speak?

Her native language was Hindi. She also spoke English fluently and likely other Indian languages.
Who were Indira Gandhi's parents?

Her parents were Kamala Nehru and Jawaharlal Nehru. Her father was the first Prime Minister of India.
Who was Indira Gandhi's spouse?

She was married to Feroze Gandhi. They married on March 25, 1942. Feroze was a journalist and politician.
Did Indira Gandhi have children?

Yes, she had two sons: Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi. Rajiv later became Prime Minister of India.
Where did Indira Gandhi go to school?

She attended several schools including Patha Bhavana in Santiniketan, Badminton School in England, and later studied at Visva-Bharati University and Somerville College, Oxford but did not complete a degree.
What awards did Indira Gandhi win?

She received numerous awards including the Bharat Ratna in 1972, Lenin Peace Prize, and honorary doctorates from several universities including the Sorbonne and Waseda.
How many awards did Indira Gandhi win?

She won at least 10 major awards, including national and international honors like the Order of José Martí and Gold Olympic Order.
What movies did Indira Gandhi appear in?

She appeared in films as herself, including the documentary The Adversary 1970 and Fire in the Blood 2013 through archive footage.
How tall was Indira Gandhi?

She was 5 feet 4 inches tall, which is approximately 1.63 meters.
Why was Indira Gandhi called Mother India?

She was nicknamed Mother India as a term of endearment and respect for her role as a motherly figure to the nation, though it also carried political connotations.
What were Indira Gandhi's aliases?

She was known as Late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, and Prime Minister of India in formal contexts.
What was Indira Gandhi known for?

She is best known for being India’s first and only female prime minister, her leadership during the 1971 war with Pakistan, and her declaration of a national Emergency from 1975 to 1977.
Was Indira Gandhi related to Mahatma Gandhi?

No, she was not related to Mahatma Gandhi by blood. Her husband Feroze changed his surname to Gandhi but had no familial connection.
Who were Indira Gandhi's grandchildren?

Her grandchildren include Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, both of whom are prominent in Indian politics.
What did Indira Gandhi study?

She studied at Visva-Bharati University under Rabindranath Tagore and later attended Somerville College, Oxford, but she did not complete a degree.
What was Indira Gandhi's birth name?

Her birth name was Indira Priyadarshini Nehru. She later adopted the surname Gandhi after marriage.
How long did Indira Gandhi serve as prime minister?

She served for a total of about 15 years, across two terms: 1966-1977 and 1980-1984, making her the second longest-serving Indian prime minister after her father.
What major events happened during Indira Gandhi's tenure?

Key events include the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh, the nuclear test at Pokhran in 1974, and the Emergency period from 1975 to 1977.
Why did Indira Gandhi declare a state of Emergency?

She declared a state of Emergency in 1975 after being found guilty of electoral fraud by the Allahabad High Court, which would have barred her from politics for six years.
Who assassinated Indira Gandhi?

She was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, on October 31, 1984. The motive was retaliation for Operation Blue Star.
What was Operation Blue Star?

Operation Blue Star was a military action ordered by Indira Gandhi in June 1984 to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It resulted in significant casualties and led to her assassination.
What is Indira Gandhi's legacy?

Her legacy is complex: she is remembered as a strong leader who modernized India and won the 1971 war, but also criticized for authoritarian actions during the Emergency and the Sikh insurgency.
Did Indira Gandhi win any international peace prizes?

Yes, she was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1953 and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in posthumous recognition.
Was Indira Gandhi given any honorary citizenships?

She was made an honorary citizen of Kyiv, Ukraine. She also received honorary doctorates from universities around the world.
How did Indira Gandhi change India?

She strengthened India’s nuclear program, promoted the Green Revolution to achieve food self-sufficiency, and established a strong central government. Her policies also included nationalization of banks.
What was Indira Gandhi's relationship with Margaret Thatcher?

Despite their ideological differences, they were good friends. Thatcher was a conservative and Gandhi a socialist, but they shared a strong working relationship.
Did Indira Gandhi have any hobbies?

She was known to enjoy reading, and her interests included history and politics. She also had a collection of art and was a gardener.
What is the Shakti Sthal?

Shakti Sthal is the name given to the pavement in the garden of the Indian Prime Minister’s office where Indira Gandhi was assassinated. It translates to Epicenter of Power.
Why did Indira Gandhi not have a college degree?

She attended but did not complete her studies at Visva-Bharati University and Somerville College, Oxford. This made her the first Indian prime minister without a formal college degree.
Who was Indira Gandhi's close friend in international politics?

She had a close friendship with Soviet leaders like Leonid Brezhnev and also maintained good relations with the US despite tensions with Nixon and Kissinger.
What was Indira Gandhi's role in the Bangladesh Liberation War?

She provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Bengali nationalists, leading to the defeat of Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
Was Indira Gandhi criticized for her policies?

Yes, she faced criticism for the Emergency, which suspended civil liberties, and for her handling of the Punjab insurgency, which led to accusations of authoritarianism.
How many times was Indira Gandhi elected as prime minister?

She was elected four times: 1967, 1971, 1980, and 1984 though she was assassinated shortly after the 1984 election.

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Audited & updated by

Olivia has 6 years of experience writing biographical profiles and still approaches every subject like it's the first one. She covers everyone from debut musicians to Hall of Fame athletes to novelists most people have never heard of. She finds something worth reading in all of them. Her drafts tend to come in already clean, which her editor appreciates. She says good writing is just good thinking written down. Hard to argue with that.

Published on March 10, 2026

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