<<Previous Page Next Page>> Motilal Nehru     Motilal Nehru began his career as a  lawyer, and set-up practice in Kanpur in the early 1880's, he moved to Allahabad after a 3-year stint at Kanpur. His contributions to India's freedom movement were considerable. Though his early forays into Indian politics were hesitant. In 1889, his wife Swarup Rani, gave birth to Jawaharlal Nehru. His two daughters, Vijayalaxmi Pandit and Krishna were born in 1901 and 1907 respectively. It was the squabble between the 'moderates' and the 'extremists'in the post-partition of Bengal days that incited Motilal to jump into the frame of the freedom movement, on the side of the 'moderates'. 1912 onwards, Motilal's life entered a phase wherein he became deeply involved in a nationalist movement. There was considerable resentment against British rule in India during the years 1915-1918. The discontent found an outlet in the Home-Rule Movement. The imprisonment of Annie Beasant in June 1917 triggered Motilal's decision to join the Home-Rule League. This was a watershed in his political career. Mahatma Gandhi deeply influenced Motilal and his son, Jawaharlal. Jallianwala Bagh massacre saw Motilal give succor to the hapless victims of the Marshall Law that followed the killings in Punjab. Motilal was elected president of the Congress at Amritsar December 1919. There onwards he was progressively drawn into the maelstrom of the Indian National Movement. Thus emerged the new persona of Motilal. He did away with imported finery, servants and the European life-style in his household and took to wearing khadi. In1921, both Motilal and his son, were sentenced to six months' imprisonment. In the 20's, Motilal proposed entry into Legislative Councils. Motilal and CR Das founded the Swarajya Party in 1923. Post 1926, communal politics vitiated the atmosphere in the Swarajya Party. In 1927, Motilal Nehru headed an All Party's Conference, convened by Dr. Ansari. The report of the Committee- called Nehru Report- tried to resolve the communal problem. But it came unstuck. Mostly, because of Jinnah and Aga Khan. Motilal, though initially not quite convinced by Gandhi's idea of breaking the salt-laws in order to enthuse the masses, later took vigorous part in the movement. He was arrested, imprisoned, then released on account of failing health. He passed away on February 6, 1931. Motilal harbored a secular view of India. He was a highly motivated nationalist and a good role-model for his illustrious son, Jawaharlal. <<Previous Page Next Page>>