The First Woman Prime Minister of India was Srimati Indira Gandhi And Srimati Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the First Woman Prime Minister in the World from Sri Lanka. A Prime Minister is the leader of the ministers who leads the executive branch of government. The Prime Minister also leads the central government of a country with a parliamentary or semi-presidential political system.
In this article, we are going to discuss the First Woman Prime Minister in detail.
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First Woman Prime Minister Of India – Srimati Indira Gandhi
Srimati Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was the First Woman Prime Minister of India. She was the first woman to hold the Prime Minister’s office and was part of the powerful Nehru-Gandhi family. She held this post for three terms from 1966 to 1980. She was known for being determined and for concentrating a lot of power in her hands. This was a time when India was still figuring things out after gaining independence from 200 years of British rule. Here is the general overview of the Srimati Indira Gandhi.
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First Woman Prime Minister Of India – Srimati Indira Gandhi |
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Born |
19th November 1917, Allahabad, British India |
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Died |
31th October 1984, New Delhi, India (Assassination) |
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Education |
Visva-Bharati University (dropped out), Somerville College, Oxford (dropped out) |
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Spouse |
Feroze Gandhi (m. 1942; died 1960) |
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Children |
Rajiv Gandhi (son), Sanjay Gandhi (son) |
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Parent(s) |
Jawaharlal Nehru (father), Kamala Nehru (mother) |
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Political Party |
Indian National Congress (1938–1969), Congress (R) (1969–1978), Congress (I) (1978–1984) |
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Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha |
1964–1967 |
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Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha |
1967–1977, 1978–1980, 1980–1984 |
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President of the Indian National Congress |
1959, 1978–1984 |
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Minister of Information and Broadcasting |
9th June 1964 – 24th January 1966 |
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Minister of Finance |
17th July 1969 – 27th June 1970 |
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Minister of Home Affairs |
27th June 1970 – 4th February 1973 |
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Minister of Defence |
14th January 1980 – 15th January 1982, 30th November 1975 – 20th December 1975 |
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Minister of External Affairs |
9th March 1984 – 31st October 1984, 22nd August 1967 – 14th March 1969 |
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Prime Minister |
24th January 1966 – 24th March 1977, 14th January 1980 – 31st October 1984 |
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President |
N. Sanjiva Reddy, Zail Singh |
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Deputy |
Morarji Desai (13th March 1967 – 16th July 1969) |
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Preceded by |
Charan Singh, Lal Bahadur Shastri |
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Succeeded by |
Rajiv Gandhi, Morarji Desai |
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Decorations |
Bharat Ratna (1971), Lenin Peace Prize (1985), Bangladesh Freedom Honour (2011) |
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Legacy |
Indira Gandhi was hailed as the “Iron Lady” by Henry A. Kissinger. She led India to victory in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 and received the Bharat Ratna. Her legacy includes India’s nuclear weapons program and a tilt towards the Soviet bloc in foreign policy. She was named “Woman of the Millennium” in 1999 and ranked seventh in Outlook India’s poll of the Greatest Indian in 2012. However, her rule saw criticisms including damage to internal party democracy, weakening of federal structures, and fostering a culture of nepotism. The period of Emergency rule during her tenure is considered a dark period in Indian democracy. She remains the only woman to have served as Prime Minister of India and was recognized by Time magazine as one of the world’s 100 powerful women who defined the last century. Shakti Sthal, a monument, honors her legacy. |
Political Career in Indian National Congress
Here is the political career of Srimati Indira Gandhi as mentioned below.
- Indira Gandhi’s journey in politics began in 1955 when she joined the Working Committee of the Congress party.
- She started as her father’s assistant while he was Prime Minister and later rose to become the President of the Indian National Congress in 1959.
- After Jawaharlal Nehru’s death in 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri took over as Prime Minister.
- Indira Gandhi entered the Rajya Sabha and served as the Information and Broadcasting Minister in Shastri’s government.
- Following Shastri’s sudden death, Indira Gandhi was chosen as the leader of the Congress party.
- Despite initial doubts and opposition within the party, she triumphed and became India’s Prime Minister.
- In the 1967 elections, Indira won from the Rae Bareli constituency.
- However, internal party disputes led to her expulsion.
- In response, she formed a new faction called the “New Congress”, backed by the majority of Congress MPs.
Bank Nationalisation
Indira Gandhi made a big decision on July 19th, 1969 to nationalize 14 commercial banks in India. This was done according to the Banking Regulation Act of 1949. The move aimed to bring a more socialist approach to India’s economy.
- The decision was driven by the goal of making banking services and credit easier to access for farmers and people living in rural areas.
- The banks that were brought under government control in 1969 included Allahabad Bank, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, Dena Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Syndicate Bank, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank, United Bank of India, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, and Bank of Baroda.
- Nationalizing these banks led to more lending towards priority sectors, reduced economic gaps between different regions, and improved access to banking services.
- This move also played a crucial role in reducing poverty in rural areas and supporting the green revolution.
Abolition of Privy Purse
The Princely states’ rulers received ‘privy purse’ payments according to Art.291 and Art.362 of the Indian Constitution.
- Indira Gandhi believed this violated equal rights for all citizens and worsened the government’s financial deficit.
- In 1971, the 26th amendment to the Indian Constitution put an end to the Privy Purse.
- Articles 291 and 362 were scrapped, stopping special privileges for rulers and aligning with principles of equality and social justice.
Garibi Hatao: A Commitment
When Indira Gandhi’s political rivals used the slogan “Indira Hatao,” she countered with the “Garibi Hatao” or “Eradicate Poverty” campaign.
- This initiative aimed to reduce poverty, create jobs, and boost agriculture as part of the Fifth Five-Year Plan.
- It struck a chord with the marginalized communities, contributing significantly to her electoral victories.
Bangladesh Liberation War
Indira Gandhi showed support for Bangladesh during its Liberation War by welcoming refugees into India and providing them with aid, diplomatic help, and military backing.
- In the 1971 India-Pakistan conflict after the Pakistani attack.
- India got a significant victory under Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw and Gandhi’s leadership.
- Her efforts in establishing Bangladesh and leading India to victory in the war greatly increased her popularity.
The Controversial State of Emergency
In 1975, the Allahabad High Court said Indira Gandhi did dishonest things in the 1971 elections. The Supreme Court then told her she could not be in any government job for 6 years and took away her position in Parliament.
- To handle the mess that followed, President Fakruddin Ali Ahmad, with Indira Gandhi’s support, declared a National Emergency on June 25, 1975.
- This was done under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution.
- During the Emergency, the media had strict rules, curfews were set, and lots of people were arrested. States run by the opposition were taken over by the President, protests were stopped, and people were forced to get sterilized.
- The Emergency lasted for 21 months and ended on March 21st, 1977.
- In the 1977 elections, Indira Gandhi’s Congress party lost to the Janata Alliance.
- But in 1980, the Congress party bounced back, and Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister again.
Operation Blue Star
In June 1984, the Indian Army carried out Operation Blue Star to clear out Sikh militants, like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, from the Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar.This made many people mad because it hurt the Sikh sentiments and damaged the temple.
First Woman Prime Minister In The World – Smt Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Srimati Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the first woman in the world to become a Prime Minister. She took office in Sri Lanka (then called the Dominion of Ceylon) in 1960. He was the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party from 1960 to 1994. She served three times as prime minister while Chandrika Kumaratunga served as president. Here is the general overview of the First Woman Prime Minister In The World, Smt Sirimavo Bandaranaike as mentioned below.
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First Woman Prime Minister In The World – Smt Sirimavo Bandaranaike |
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Born |
Sirima Ratwatte aka Sirimavo Bandaranaike |
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Date of Birth |
17th April 1916 |
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Place of Birth |
Ratnapura, British Ceylon (Sri Lanka) |
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Died |
10th October 2000 (aged 84) |
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Place of Death |
Kadawatha, Sri Lanka |
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Political Party |
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) |
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Spouse |
Solomon Bandaranaike (married in 1940, widowed in 1959) |
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Children |
Sunethra, Chandrika, Anura |
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Parent |
Barnes Ratwatte (father) |
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Prime Minister of Sri Lanka |
14th November 1994 – 10th August 2000 |
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President |
Chandrika Kumaratunga, William Gopallawa (1972–1977) |
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Governors General |
Oliver Goonetilleke, William Gopallawa |
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Cause of Death |
Heart attack |
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Place of Death |
Kadawatha, Sri Lanka |
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Legacy |
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the first woman prime minister in the world. She served Sri Lanka three times as Prime Minister, and her socialist policies aimed to uplift the country’s native population. Although her tenure saw significant developments, including Sri Lanka’s entry into the Non-Aligned Movement, she faced criticism for not significantly impacting women’s representation in politics. |
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Notable Achievements |
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was instrumental in guiding Sri Lanka through significant political and social changes during her time in office. Her leadership saw the country through its transition from a dominion to a republic and the implementation of socialist policies aimed at reducing socio-economic disparities. Despite criticisms and challenges, her contributions to Sri Lanka’s political landscape remain significant. |
Top 24 Female Political Leaders In The World
Here are the top 24 Female Political Leaders In The World as mentioned below.
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Top 24 Female Political Leaders In The World |
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Leader Name |
Position |
Country |
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Maia Sandu |
President |
Moldova |
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Giorgia Meloni |
Prime Minister |
Italy |
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Vjosa Osmani |
Acting President |
Kosovo |
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Rose Christiane Raponda |
Prime Minister |
Gabon |
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Katerina Sakellaropoulou |
President |
Greece |
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Sanna Marin |
Prime Minister |
Finland |
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Mette Frederiksen |
Prime Minister |
Denmark |
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Zuzana Caputova |
President |
Slovakia |
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Salome Zurabishvili |
President |
Georgia |
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Sahle-Work Zewde |
President |
Ethiopia |
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Mia Mottley |
Prime Minister |
Barbados |
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Paula-Mae Weekes |
President |
Trinidad and Tobago |
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Katrin Jakobsdottir |
Prime Minister |
Iceland |
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Jacinda Ardern |
Prime Minister |
New Zealand |
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Halimah Yacob |
President |
Singapore |
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Ana Brnabic |
Prime Minister |
Serbia |
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Kersti Kaljulaid |
President |
Estonia |
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Tsai Ing-wen |
President |
Taiwan |
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Aung San Suu Kyi |
State Counsellor |
Myanmar |
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Bidhya Bhandari |
President |
Nepal |
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Erna Solberg |
Prime Minister |
Norway |
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Sheikh Hasina |
Prime Minister |
Bangladesh |
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Angela Merkel |
Chancellor |
Germany |
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Kaja Kallas |
Prime Minister |
Estonia |
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Kamala Devi Harris |
Vice president |
United States |
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First Woman President of India
FAQs – First Woman Prime Minister
What is the first female Prime Minister?
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was elected as the world’s first female Prime Minister on 21 July 1960. She addressed the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1971.
Who was the first woman minister of India?
Amrit Kaur became part of Jawaharlal Nehru’s first Cabinet; she was the first woman to hold Cabinet rank, serving for ten years.
Who is the first woman President in the world?
Maria estela Peron was the world’s first woman President was Marma Estela ‘Isabel’ Martinez Cartas de Peron of Argentina. She was the President of Argentina from 1974 to 1976.
Who was the first woman MP in India?
Annie Mascarene (6 June 1902 – 19 July 1963) was an Indian independence activist, politician and lawyer from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala who served as a Member of the Parliament of India and was the first woman to do so.
Who is the first lady governor?
Sarojini Naidu was the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state. She governed Uttar Pradesh from 15 August 1947 to 2 March 1949.
Who is our lady Prime Minister?
Indira Feroze Gandhi was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.