Kamala Nehru
Encyclopedia
Kamala Kaul Nehru was the wife of Jawaharlal Nehru
- leader of the Indian National Congress
and first Prime Minister of India
. Kamala married Nehru on 7 February 1916.
, Kamala was simple, quiet and unobtrusive . She felt alienated amongst the more Westernized Nehrus. It was only with the involvement of the Nehrus in the national movement, that she emerged into the forefront. In the Non Cooperation movement of 1921, she organized groups of women in Allahabad and picketed shops selling foreign cloth and liquor. When her husband was arrested to prevent him delivering a "seditious" public speech, she went in his place to read it out. She was twice arrested by British authorities.
, and a sister, Swaroop Kathju. In November 1917, Kamala gave birth to a daughter, Indira Priyadarshini
, who later succeeded her father as prime minister and head of the Congress party. Kamala gave birth to a boy in November 1924, but he was premature and died 2 days later.
She spent some time at Gandhi's ashram with Kasturba Gandhi
where she built a close friendship with Prabhavati Devi
.
in Lausanne
, Switzerland
on 28 February 1936. Her daughter and her mother-in-law were by her side when she breathed her last. Kamala was cremated at the Lasagna Crematorium. A number of institutions in India, such as Kamla Nehru College, University of Delhi
, Kamla Nehru Park, Kamla Nehru Hospital are named after her.
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
- leader of the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
and first Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
. Kamala married Nehru on 7 February 1916.
Contribution to the Indian Freedom Movement
Born on 1st August 1899 and brought up in a traditional Kashmiri Brahmin family of old DelhiOld Delhi
Old Delhi , walled city of Delhi, India, was founded as Shahjahanabad by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 1639. It remained the capital of the Mughals until the end of the Mughal dynasty....
, Kamala was simple, quiet and unobtrusive . She felt alienated amongst the more Westernized Nehrus. It was only with the involvement of the Nehrus in the national movement, that she emerged into the forefront. In the Non Cooperation movement of 1921, she organized groups of women in Allahabad and picketed shops selling foreign cloth and liquor. When her husband was arrested to prevent him delivering a "seditious" public speech, she went in his place to read it out. She was twice arrested by British authorities.
Family and Friends
Rajpati and Jawaharmal Kaul were Kamala Nehru's parents. Kamala, their eldest child, had two brothers, Chand Bahadur Kaul and the botanist, Kailas Nath KaulKailas Nath Kaul
Professor Kailas Nath Kaul , FLS was an Indian botanist, agronomist, agricultural scientist, horticulturist, herbalist, and naturalist, and a world authority on Arecaceae in the 1950s...
, and a sister, Swaroop Kathju. In November 1917, Kamala gave birth to a daughter, Indira Priyadarshini
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
, who later succeeded her father as prime minister and head of the Congress party. Kamala gave birth to a boy in November 1924, but he was premature and died 2 days later.
She spent some time at Gandhi's ashram with Kasturba Gandhi
Kasturba Gandhi
Kastürbā Gāndhi was the wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, marrying him in an arranged marriage in 1883.-Early life and background:...
where she built a close friendship with Prabhavati Devi
Prabhavati Devi
Prabhavati Devi was at the forefront of freedom struggle in Bihar. She was born in a reputed Kayastha family in Shrinagar now in Siwan district in Bihar to Brajkishore Prasad and Phool Devi...
.
Death and Legacy
Kamala died from tuberculosisTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
in Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
on 28 February 1936. Her daughter and her mother-in-law were by her side when she breathed her last. Kamala was cremated at the Lasagna Crematorium. A number of institutions in India, such as Kamla Nehru College, University of Delhi
University of Delhi
The University of Delhi is a central university situated in Delhi, India and is funded by Government of India. Established in 1922, it offers courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the Chancellor of the university...
, Kamla Nehru Park, Kamla Nehru Hospital are named after her.
See also
- Political Families of The World