Jawaharlal Nehru
1889–1964 · Indian (Allahabad / New Delhi) · Indian Independence, Cold War
Known for: First PM of independent India who shaped the world's largest democracy and founded the Non-Aligned Movement
Nehru was Gandhi's political heir who became independent India's first PM and served for 17 years. He built democratic institutions, launched industrialization, championed secularism, and co-founded the Non-Aligned Movement. He was Harrow and Cambridge educated but deeply committed to India's poor.
His legacy includes democratic institutions and scientific investment (IITs, atomic energy) but also the humiliating defeat by China in 1962 and the seeds of dynastic politics (his daughter Indira and grandson Rajiv both became PM).
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.