History · Spectrum Books A Brief History of Modern India
Chapter 39 : The Lal Bahadur Shastri Years (June 1964-January 1966)
Table of contents39 sections
- 1.The Lal Bahadur Shastri Years (June 1964-January 1966)
- 2.Lal Bahadur Shastri Chosen as Leader
- 3.Key Terms
- 4.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 5.Early Life
- 6.Key Terms
- 7.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 8.Political Journey after Independence
- 9.Key Terms
- 10.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 11.Prime Minister: Continuing Nehru's Legacy but with Change
- 12.Key Terms
- 13.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 14.Challenges
- 15.Key Terms
- 16.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 17.Economic Ideas
- 18.A Forerunner of Economic Reform
- 19.The Seeds of Green Revolution and White Revolution
- 20.Skip a Meal Idea
- 21.Key Terms
- 22.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 23.New Institutions and Projects
- 24.Key Terms
- 25.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 26.Foreign Relations
- 27.Key Terms
- 28.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 29.The Indo-Pak War
- 30.Key Terms
- 31.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 32.Peace Agreement at Tashkent
- 33.The Tashkent Declaration Provisions
- 34.Key Terms
- 35.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 36.Shastri's Death
- 37.Key Terms
- 38.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 39.Quick-Recall Box
Chapter preview
Following the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in May 1964, there were fears in India and abroad that the Indian political system might collapse due to a succession fight within the Congress party. However, a smooth succession occurred.
- Gulzarilal Nanda was immediately appointed as the interim prime minister, pending the election of a new parliamentary leader.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Chosen as Leader
- It is generally accepted that the succession was guided by a group within the Congress known as the Syndicate (formed in 1963), which included party president K. Kamaraj.
- The choice for the next prime minister was between Morarji Desai and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
- Morarji Desai ultimately decided not to contest, leading to Shastri being chosen by the party as the parliamentary leader and prime minister.
| Candidate | Source-Stated Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Morarji Desai | Senior, experienced, known for administrative skills and honesty; considered conservative, rigid, and leaning towards the 'right'. |
| Lal Bahadur Shastri | Soft-spoken, flexible, and a man of integrity. |
Key Terms
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Syndicate | A group within the Congress party, formed in 1963, which included party president K. Kamaraj, and guided the succession to the prime minister's post after Jawaharlal Nehru. |
📌 Exam Tidbits
- K. Kamaraj (Congress President) and the Syndicate played the decisive role in the post-Nehru succession.
- Gulzarilal Nanda served as the interim PM immediately after Nehru's death.
Early Life
- Birth: Born on October 2, 1904, in Uttar Pradesh (then known as United Provinces).
- Social Views: Firmly opposed to the caste system, he dropped his surname Srivastava.
- Education: Acquired the title 'Shastri' upon completing his graduation at Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, in 1928.
- Marriage: Married Lalita Devi in 1928. Opposed to dowry, he is said to have accepted only five yards of khadi and a spinning wheel at his father-in-law's insistence.
- Freedom Struggle Participation:
- Swayed by Mahatma Gandhi, he joined the freedom movement.
- Arrested during the Non-Cooperation Movement (1921) for demonstrating, but let off as he was a minor.
- Participated in the Salt Satyagraha, Individual Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement (1942).
- Imprisoned…
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View plans Chapter 40 : Indira Gandhi: the First Phase (January 1966-March 1977)