Not Just a Lawyer But a Visionary - The Nehru Legacy

Jawaharlal Nehru’s father, Pandit Motilal Nehru’s humble beginnings paved the way for India’s most influential political dynasty. He passed away on February 6, 1931.

Humble beginnings of a lasting legacy; Source: Britannica

Though the Gandhi-Nehru family is known as one of the most politically influential families in contemporary India, their beginnings were full of turmoil. Jawaharlal Nehru’s father, Motilal Nehru and his brothers practically built the family name from scratch!

Pandit Motilal Nehru was born in May 1861. He never knew his father, as he died three months before infant Motilal had entered the world. Their incomplete family was drowning in difficulties as they had lost most of their assets in the first revolt for freedom of 1857.

Although his elder sisters had been married off while their father was alive, Motilal’s mother had to fend for herself, infant Motilal and two more of her teenage sons.

At the time of Motilal's birth in 1861, his elder brother Nandlal was 16 years old. Their mother borrowed money from people till Nandlal was old enough to secure the position of a clerk at the court of Rajasthan’s Raja of Khetri. Eventually, he became the diwan of the court which gave him a fair deal of insights into legal matters.

Thus, with a change of power at the throne of Khetri, Nandlal Nehru shifted to Agra with his mother and younger brother Motilal, where he started practising law at the High Court of Agra.

Perfectly playing the role of the big brother, he was the primary reason that Motilal Nehru received a modern education. This paved the way for Motilal to receive education in Agra as well as Allahabad.

Motilal Nehru chose to follow his brother’s footsteps and become a lawyer. After Kanpur, he decided to return to his brother Nandlal, and continue practising in partnership with him. Unfortunately, Nandlal Nehru died leaving behind his children – five sons and two daughters. The fate that had befallen Nandlal seemed to be repeating itself for Motilal. Nevertheless, Motilal Nehru rose to fame and prosperity as a lawyer, he was even chosen to appear in the British Privy Council at the peak of his career. He bought the Anand Bhawan in Allahabad for his vast family, which has been preserved in memory of the Nehru’s till date.

Under Gandhi’s influence, he turned to a more traditional, Indian lifestyle. He served as the President of the Indian National Congress for two tenures and authored many editorials of his views regarding the British governance in India.

Motilal Nehru paved the way for Jawaharlal Nehru’s political success, although they differed in opinion at various crucial junctures.

Till his last breath, Motilal Nehru fought for the cause of Indian independence. He died on February 6, 1931, a few days after Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha.