Lal Bahadur Shastri wiki/Biography: Early Life, Family, Political Career and Death
The second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, was a man of extraordinary simplicity and unwavering dedication to the betterment of his country. Shastri was born in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, on October 2, 1904. His entire narrative is a tribute to his steadfast commitment to India’s freedom struggle and his never-ending efforts to improve the welfare of its people. We explore the life and accomplishments of this significant figure in Indian history in the paragraphs that follow.
Lal Bahadur Shastri: Early Life and Family
Born in Mughalsarai, India, on October 2, 1904, Lal Bahadur Shastri rose from modest origins. He experienced hardship early in life as he was raised by his maternal grandpa following the death of his father at a young age. Shastri’s commitment to learning started in a railway college and persisted at Varanasi’s Harish Chandra High School.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Biography: Early Life, Family, Political Career and Death
| Real Name | Lal Bahadur Shastri |
| Nickname(s) | Man of Peace, Shastri, Nanhe |
| Profession(s) | Teacher, Activist, Politician |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters– 154 cm in meters– 1.54 m in feet inches– 5’ 1” |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Grey |
| Politics | |
| Political Party | Indian National Congress |
Lal Bahadur Shastri Personal Life
| Date of Birth | 2 October 1904 |
| Birthplace | Mughalsarai, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Date of Death | 11 January 1966 |
| Place of Death | Tashkent (currently in Uzbekistan) |
| Age (at the time of death) | 61 Years |
| Death Cause | Not confirmed According to one source: There was a Conspiracy behind his death According to other sources: Died of Cardiac Arrest (followed by two earlier heart attacks) |
| Resting Place | Vijay Ghat, New Delhi |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Libra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Kudh Kalan, Mughalsarai, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| School | Shri Harish Chandra Intermediate College |
| College/University | Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi |
| Educational Qualification | 1st class honor (Arts) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | kayastha |
| Address | 10 Janpath, New Delhi |
| Award | Bharat Ratna (1966) by the President of India (posthumously |
| Girls, Affairs and More | |
| Marital Status (At the time of death) | Married |
| Marriage Date | 16 May 1928 |
| Family | |
| Wife/Spouse | Lalita Devi (1928-1966) |
| Children | Son(s)– Hari Krishna Shastri, Anil Shastri (Politician: INC), Sunil Shastri (Politician: BJP), Ashok Shastri Daughter(s)– Kusum Shastri, Suman Shastri |
| Parents | Father– Sharada Prasad Shrivastava (a school teacher) Mother– Ramdulari Devi (home-maker) |
| Siblings | Brother– None Sister(s)– Kailashi Devi, Sundari Devi |
| Hobbies | Reading books |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Lal Bahadur Shastri
- He had instilled in himself the values of morality, honesty, simplicity, and pure ethics since he was a little boy.
- He chose to renounce his surname, Shrivastava, since he disagreed with the current caste structure.
- Following his graduation from Varanasi’s Kashi Vidyapeeth in 1925, he was given the title “Shastri,” which translates to “Scholar person.”
- The efforts and patriotism of Swami Vivekananda, Gandhiji, Annie Besant, and others inspired young Shastri.
- To educate the young activists, J.B. Kripalani and a buddy, V.N. Sharma, established an unofficial school with a focus on “nationalist education.” Shastri joined them after being motivated by their establishment.
- At seventeen, he was incarcerated for the first time due to his active involvement in Non-Corporation Moment.
- He married Lalita Devi, Ganesh Prasad’s youngest daughter, in 1928. He declined the Dowry that his father-in-law offered him as he opposed the Dowry system. After being continuously coerced by his father-in-law, he only took five yards of khadi, a cotton fabric that is often handspun, as payment.
- Six children were a blessing for the couple.