Morarji Desai
Who was Morarji Desai?
India's fourth Prime Minister who led the Janata Party government and was known for his austere lifestyle and prohibition policies during his tenure.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Morarji Desai (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (29 February 1896 – 10 April 1995) was an Indian politician and independence activist who served as the fourth Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979. Born in Valsad district, he studied at Wilson College, Mumbai, before starting a long political career. He held various important government roles, including Chief Minister of Bombay State, Finance Minister, Home Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister, before becoming Prime Minister.
Desai's journey to becoming Prime Minister involved a long political struggle. After Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri died in 1966, Desai was a strong candidate for the position but lost to Indira Gandhi. He then served as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in Gandhi's cabinet until 1969 when the Indian National Congress split, and he joined the INC (O). His chance to lead the country came in 1977 when the opposition parties formed the Janata Party and defeated the Congress after the controversial Emergency period. At 81, Desai was the oldest person to become Prime Minister and the first non-Congress leader in the role.
As Prime Minister, Desai was noted for his simple lifestyle and strong support for prohibition policies. He was a peace advocate, focusing on improving India's relations with neighboring countries, especially Pakistan and China. After India's first nuclear test in 1974, he worked to restore diplomatic relations and promised to avoid armed conflicts like the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. His efforts for peace were recognized when Pakistan awarded him its highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on 19 May 1990.
Desai's time as Prime Minister ended in 1979, after which he stepped back from major political roles but still campaigned for the Janata Party in 1980. His impact on Indian politics and society was formally acknowledged with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1991. He lived to be 99, passing away in Mumbai on 10 April 1995, remembered for his principled leadership and commitment to public service.
Before Fame
Born in 1896 in Valsad during British rule, Desai grew up during a time when India's independence movement was gaining steam. His studies at Wilson College in Mumbai exposed him to the ideas of the time and likely influenced his later involvement in the freedom struggle.
The late 1800s and early 1900s in India saw a rise in political awareness and the rise of leaders who would shape the nation's future. This period of national awakening and political activism set the stage for Desai's entry into public life, where he became a key figure in India's politics during both the independence movement and after independence.
Key Achievements
- Served as India's fourth Prime Minister from 1977-1979, becoming the first non-Congress leader to hold the office
- Led the Janata Party to electoral victory in 1977, ending Congress party dominance
- Initiated significant peace efforts with Pakistan and China following India's 1974 nuclear test
- Served in multiple senior government positions including Chief Minister, Finance Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister
- Received both India's Bharat Ratna (1991) and Pakistan's Nishan-e-Pakistan (1990) for his contributions
Did You Know?
- 01.He was the second and last Prime Minister to have been born in the nineteenth century
- 02.At age 81, he holds the record as the oldest person to become Prime Minister of India
- 03.He was the first former Deputy Prime Minister to later occupy the position of Prime Minister
- 04.Pakistan awarded him the Nishan-e-Pakistan, their highest civilian honor, in 1990 for his peace efforts
- 05.He lived to be 99 years old, making him one of the longest-lived major political figures in Indian history
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bharat Ratna | 1991 | — |