Indira Gandhi (Pupul Jayakar)

In Indira Gandhi: A Biography, author Pupul Jayakar enables readers to get a public as well as a private look at Mrs. Gandhi. Through an examination of her childhood and the political backdrop in which she grew up, readers will begin to understand the factors which shaped the first-female Prime Minister of India.

According to Jayakar’s biography, it was no surprise that Indira’s public and private lives were set against a political backdrop. Being the only daughter of India’s first Prime Minister, Indira was essentially a child of politics. From her birth in 1917 until her death in 1984, Indira had served two terms in the role of Prime Minister. She had also attained other notable positions such as the Minister of Defence, Minister of External Affairs, and Minister of Finance. During her lifetime, Indira had established herself as a prominent political figure and leader in India.