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Line 27: − + − Indira Gandhi's pragmatic, coldly calculated friendly relationships with the Soviet Union and her hostile attitude toward the United States left India a more important and independent regional power than it had been under her father. Her nuclear policy was characterized by the refusal to sign the [[Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty]], insistence on the further development of peaceful uses of atomic energy, and maintenance of a nuclear technological capability in response to developments in Pakistan and China.<ref>Surjit Mansingh, ''India's Search for Power: Indira Gandhi's Foreign Policy.'' (1984). 405 pp.</ref>+ − ===Janata party in power===+ − In 1975, beset with deepening political and economic problems, Mrs. Gandhi declared a state of emergency and suspended many civil liberties. Seeking a mandate at the polls for her policies, she called for elections in 1977, only to be defeated by [[Morarji Desai]], who headed the [[Janata Party]], an amalgam of five opposition parties. − + + + + + + + + Line 114:
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Prime Minister Nehru governed the nation until his death in 1964. Nehru was succeeded by [[Lal Bahadur Shastri]], who also died in office. In 1966, power passed to Nehru's daughter, [[Indira Gandhi]] (1917-84), Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977, and again 1980-84.<ref> see Pranay Gupte, ''Mother India: A Political Biography of Indira Gandhi'' (1992). 320 pp.; Pupul Jayakar, ''Indira Gandhi: An Intimate Biography'' (1993). 448 pp.; Inder Malhotra, ''Indira Gandhi: A Personal and Political Biography.'' (1991). 363 pp.</ref>
Prime Minister Nehru governed the nation until his death in 1964. Nehru was succeeded by [[Lal Bahadur Shastri]], who also died in office. In 1966, power passed to Nehru's daughter, [[Indira Gandhi]] (1917-84), Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977, and again 1980-84.<ref> see Pranay Gupte, ''Mother India: A Political Biography of Indira Gandhi'' (1992). 320 pp.; Pupul Jayakar, ''Indira Gandhi: An Intimate Biography'' (1993). 448 pp.; Inder Malhotra, ''Indira Gandhi: A Personal and Political Biography.'' (1991). 363 pp.</ref>
Intense political factionalism prevailed her first term as prime minister, 1966-71. Conservative elements who had supported her election - thinking she could be "molded" to their will - fought back bitterly (but unsuccessfully) when she proved to be an ardent defender of Nehru's liberal political philosophy. Considerable real economic growth took place, often in spite of or contrary to her proposals.
Intense political factionalism prevailed her first term as prime minister, 1966-71. Conservative elements who had supported her election - thinking she could be "molded" to their will - fought back bitterly (but unsuccessfully) when she proved to be an ardent defender of Nehru's liberal political philosophy. In 1969 the Indian National Congress split into two factions. The majority, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, promoted socialist economic and social reforms. The conservative minority, called the Syndicate, advocated more capitalism as the solution to the nation’s massive poverty. Cooperating with other conservative parties, the Syndicate weakened Gandhi's popular programs by threatening the parliamentary majority of the Congress party. Mrs Gandhi responded by closer links with leftist parties.
Considerable real economic growth took place, often in spite of or contrary to her proposals. Prosperity enabled Mrs. Gandhi to win a landslide reelection victory in 1971. It partly resulted from her reputation for strong leadership, and also resulted from the effects of the New Economic Policy, implemented in 1966. After hesitant beginnings in the early 1960s the [[Green Revolution]] rapidly improved food production and spurred the entire economy after 1967. She nationalized India's banks in 1967 to allow for easy credit. Social discontent resulting from the Green Revolution was still limited.
In foreign policy she led the nation to a triumphant victory in a major war with Pakistan in 1972. It resulted in the independence of [[Bangladesh]], which had revolted over the widespread mistreatment by Pakistan. Mrs. Gandhi's pragmatic, coldly calculated friendly relationships with the Soviet Union and her hostile attitude toward the United States left India a more important and independent regional power than it had been under her father. Her nuclear policy was characterized by the refusal to sign the [[Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty]], insistence on the further development of peaceful uses of atomic energy, and maintenance of a nuclear technological capability in response to developments in Pakistan and China.<ref>Surjit Mansingh, ''India's Search for Power: Indira Gandhi's Foreign Policy.'' (1984). 405 pp.</ref>
In 1979, Desai's Government crumbled. Charan Singh formed an interim government, which was followed by Mrs. Gandhi's return to power in January 1980.
====State of Emergency====
In 1975, beset with deepening political and economic problems, Mrs. Gandhi declared a state of emergency and suspended many civil liberties. Although India had a strong tradition of democracy, that tradition was challenged when Mrs. Gandhi moved toward a personal dictatorship. In the summer of 1975, following a long seige of political invective and legal reverses, Gandhi arrested her chief critic Jayaprakash Narayan and thousands of his political supporters and suspended the constitution under the Defence of India Rules. She said the drastic action was necessary to preserve national unity. Mrs. Gandhi then issued edicts to curtail rising prices, improve the efficiency of government, and control crime and violence. The opposition, however, maintains that these things were accomplished only at the price of higher unemployment, increased government bureaucracy, and growth of hoarding, smuggling, and black marketeering. The newspapers of India were suppressed by heavy censorship rulings and the laws regarding the office of prime minister were altered to virtually ignore the role of the Indian Parliament.
===Mrs Gandhi defeated by Janata===
Seeking a mandate at the polls for her policies, she called for elections in 1977, only to be defeated by [[Morarji Desai]], who headed the [[Janata Party]], an amalgam of five opposition parties.
In 1979, Desai's Government crumbled. Charan Singh formed an interim government, which was followed by Mrs. Gandhi's return to power in January 1980.
===Assassinations and instability===
===Assassinations and instability===
On October 31, 1984, Mrs. Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards, followed by a nationwide outburst of violent attacks on Sihks. Her son Rajiv Gandhi, was chosen by the Congress (I)--for "Indira"--Party to take her place. His Congress government was plagued with allegations of corruption resulting in an early call for national elections in 1989.
On October 31, 1984, Mrs. Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards, followed by a nationwide outburst of violent attacks on Sihks. Her son Rajiv Gandhi, was chosen by the Congress (I)--for "Indira"--Party to take her place. His Congress government was plagued with allegations of corruption resulting in an early call for national elections in 1989.
===Primary sources===
===Primary sources===
*Jackson, A.V. et al, eds. ''History of India'' (1907) ''v.9. Historic accounts of India by foreign travellers, classic, oriental, and occidental,'' by A.V.W. Jackson [http://www.archive.org/details/historyofindia09jackiala online edition]
*Jackson, A.V. et al, eds. ''History of India'' (1907) ''v.9. Historic accounts of India by foreign travellers, classic, oriental, and occidental,'' by A.V.W. Jackson [http://www.archive.org/details/historyofindia09jackiala online edition]
====references====
<references/>
[[Category:Indian History]]
[[Category:Indian History]]
[[Category:India]]
[[Category:India]]