Voices from the Indian Feminist Movement
TIMELINE EVENT
Indira Gandhi's Election
In January 1966, Indira Gandhi was elected as the first--and to date, only--Prime Minister of India. She was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. She is the longest-serving Head of State in the world to date, with fifteen years of tenure. Though she was a controversial political figure, she significantly expanded India's influence in Asia through the Indo-
Pakistani War of 1971, of which India was victorious. She was assassinated in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards, who were enraged by her "Operation Blue Star", when she carried out a military strike against armed militants who were hiding in a Sikh temple. Though she may have made controversial decisions during her time as PM, she is still remembered as one of the most powerful women in history.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, often dubbed the "Iron Lady of India".
Image Credits: Cultural India
PM Gandhi surrounded by her male advisors, as photographed by Raghu Rai.