Rajendra Prasad
Who was Rajendra Prasad?
First President of independent India who served from 1950 to 1962 and was a key leader in the independence movement alongside Gandhi.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Rajendra Prasad (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Rajendra Prasad (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was an Indian politician, lawyer, journalist, and scholar who became the first president of independent India, serving from 1950 to 1962. Born in Ziradei Block, he studied at the University of Calcutta, attending Surendranath College, Presidency University, and Surendranath Law College. He married Rajavanshi Devi Prasad and established a career as a successful lawyer before entering politics. Prasad joined the Indian National Congress during the independence movement and became a leading figure from Bihar. As a close follower of Mahatma Gandhi, he actively participated in the freedom struggle and was jailed by the British during the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and the Quit India movement of 1942. His commitment to India's independence and his organizational skills earned him respect as a leader in the national movement. After the constituent assembly elections in 1946, Prasad served as the first Minister of Food and Agriculture in the central government from 1947 to 1948. After independence in 1947, he was elected as President of the Constituent Assembly of India, responsible for drafting the Constitution of India and acting as the provisional Parliament. When India became a republic in 1950, the Constituent Assembly elected Prasad as the country's first president. In this role, he set important examples for remaining non-partisan and keeping the presidential office independent, stepping back from active Congress party politics. Despite the mostly ceremonial nature of the presidency, Prasad promoted educational development across India and offered advice to the government on various issues. In 1957, he was re-elected to the presidency, becoming the only president in Indian history to serve two full terms, totaling about 12 years. After his presidency, he left the Congress party and established new parliamentary practices that still influence Indian politics. He died in Patna on 28 February 1963, having received the Bharat Ratna in 1962 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Calcutta.
Before Fame
Born into a modest family in Ziradei Block in 1884, Rajendra Prasad excelled academically from a young age. He pursued higher education in Calcutta, studying at top institutions like Surendranath College and Presidency University before completing his law degree at Surendranath Law College. This legal education during colonial times prepared him well for both a legal career and political leadership. In early 20th century India, nationalist feelings were growing and there was increasing organized resistance to British rule. Educated young Indians like Prasad were drawn to the independence movement, especially after experiencing the effects of British policies on their communities. His legal training and understanding of constitutional issues in Calcutta gave him the skills needed in his future roles as a freedom fighter, constitution-maker, and president.
Key Achievements
- Served as India's first president from 1950 to 1962, the longest presidential tenure in Indian history
- Elected as President of the Constituent Assembly that drafted India's Constitution
- Served as India's first Minister of Food and Agriculture from 1947 to 1948
- Established precedents for presidential non-partisanship and independence from party politics
- Received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 1962
Did You Know?
- 01.He was the only Indian president to serve two full terms, holding office for approximately 12 years from 1950 to 1962
- 02.Prasad was imprisoned twice by British authorities - during the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and the Quit India movement of 1942
- 03.He served as President of the Constituent Assembly that drafted India's Constitution before becoming the country's first president
- 04.After completing his presidency, he quit the Congress party and established new parliamentary guidelines that are still followed today
- 05.He received both the Bharat Ratna in 1962 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Calcutta
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bharat Ratna | 1962 | — |
| honorary doctor of the University of Calcutta | — | — |