Lal Bahadur Shastri

October 2, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, United Provinces of India. He was a statesman and served as the second Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966. He was a big proponent of human rights and followed the teachings of Gandhi. During his term as Prime Minister, he led India in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and he became famous for his slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” Shastri died the day after the war ended in 1966.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Lal Bahadur Shastri

Birth date:

October 2, 1904

Death date:

January 11, 1966 (age 61)

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

5' 2"

Net Worth:

$85 million

Background

Shastri studied at Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, and graduated in 1925. He became the secretary of the local unit of the Congress party in 1930 and he later moved on to become the president of the Allahabad Congress Committee. He was a key figure in India’s fight for independence from the British and he led a campaign that urged people not to pay land revenue and taxes to the British. He was imprisoned by the British government in 1942 for his efforts. He used this time to read the works of social reformers and western philosophers. He was elected to the U.P. Legislative Assembly in 1937. After India became an independent nation, Shastri became the Minister of police in the Ministry of Govind Vallabh Panth in Uttar Pradesh. He retired from politics after a devastating train accident in the region but returned in 1957 as the Minister for Transport and Communications. Later, he became the Minister of Commerce and Industry. In 1961, he formed the Committee on Prevention of Corruption. Shastri succeeded the first Prime Minister in 1964 and became the second Prime Minister of independent India.

Shastri led his nation to victory in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and died the day after the war ended in 1966.

Career timeline

1925

He Graduates

Shastri graduates from Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi.

1930

He Becomes a Politician

Shastri starts his career in politics as the secretary of the local unit of the Congress party.

1937

He Gets Promoted

Shastri is elected to the U.P. Legislative Assembly.

1957

His Return to Politics

Shastri becomes the Minister for Transport and Communications.

1964

Prime Minister

Shastri is elected as India’s second Prime Minister.

Why We Love Lal Bahadur Shastri

His level head
Shastri was always extremely calm under pressure and many attribute this to the fact that he was a follower of Nehruvian socialism. Even as India engaged in a violent war, he kept his cool.
His work as a minister
Shastri contributed to the solution to many problems like food shortage, unemployment, and poverty. He started the famous Green Revolution as well as the White Revolution, which aided in ending hunger and unemployment in India.
We love his charitable nature
Shastri was awarded India's highest civilian award after his death. The award is called the Bharat Ratna and he received it for his bravery, determination, and kind-heartedness.

5 Surprising Facts

His slogan
Shastri’s slogan recognized the need for self-sustenance and self-reliance to build a strong and successful independent nation.
His personality
Shastri had strong willpower but this was contrasted by his height and soft-spoken manner.
He believed in actions
Shastri believed in actions over words and he wanted to be remembered for what he achieved.
His name
Shastri is a title given to scholars and he earned it after completing his studies at Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi in 1925.
His hero
Shastri was heavily inspired by Mahatma Gandhi to join the freedom struggle in India.