Indira: India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister

by Sagarika Ghose

Indira Gandhi is fondly remembered as the Durga who won India its first decisive military victory in centuries and the strong stateswoman who had the courage to look American bullying in the eye and not blink. Equally, she is remembered as the terrible dictator who imposed the Emergency and tried to destroy institutions ranging from her own party to the judiciary; she is seen as the source of many of the problems that afflict Indian democracy today. Even so, for politicians Indira is the very definition of a strong leader, and a role model on both sides of the aisle.

In this spellbinding story of her life, journalist Sagarika Ghose has excavated not just Indira the iron lady and political leader but also the flesh-and-blood woman. Born in 1917, Indira soon found her life swept up by Gandhi’s call for freedom and swadeshi. Her family home became a hub of the national movement and Indira marinated in a political environment from an early age. But she also saw politics of another kind. Her sickly mother and she were the target of unkind attacks from her aunts. And her celebrated father, who had no patience for illness, was desperate to sculpt his daughter into his version of perfection – but Indira simply couldn’t keep up with his expectations. Despite Nehru’s disappointment and dismissiveness, Indira rose to become the unquestioned high command of the Congress and, indeed, the most powerful prime minister India has ever had.

This no-holds-barred biographical portrait looks for answers to lingering issues: from why Indira revoked the Emergency to her son Sanjay’s curious grip over her; and from her bad marriage and love affairs to her dangerous religious politics. This is the only book you need to read about Indira Gandhi.

Genres: Biography, India, Nonfiction, Politics, History

344 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2017

Reviews

[Umesh Kesavan · Rating 2 out of 5]

No original insight or research is found in this journalistic account of the life of Indira Gandhi. For such insights, one still has to go back to the biographies by Katherine Frank or Pupul Jayakar. The author begins every chapter with a letter addressed to Indira - as a technique,it sounds promising but the letters themselves are ridiculously shallow. Despite the shortcomings, the book can still serve as a page-turning primer for the Next-Gen youngsters who have no clue of this strong PM who won a war against Pakistan but lost at home in many other ways.

[Diwakar Kumar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Biased.... As expected Sagrika is justifying her flattery character for Congress. Simply doing same throughout this boring book... Sagrika is doing same with writing as Dhinchak Puja is doing with Singing.

[Elsa Rajan Pradhananga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enough cannot be said or read about the Prime Minister who reigned trough the toughest time in Indian history. But despite all that I’ve read about her, I still feel the urge to understand a lot more about the woman who India revere and rivals despise. Sagarika Ghose’s Indira: India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister is an unbiased introduction to her life and doesn't shy from fangirling or pointing out the paradoxes in Indira’s personal and political life.

Ghose describes how despite her political ambitions, Indira kept disingenuously denying that politics was her true calling. Ghose suggests that Indira’s role and victory in the Bangladesh liberation war may have got into her head and that she was unable to handle it. When Indira who worked toward India’s independence since her childhood, denied rights to the citizens by declaring Emergency in 1975 and bringing back order to the country, she was criticized time and again. But the often overlooked circumstances that called for it has been detailed in the book and it only felt like the right way to have tacked the situation.

I understand that the letters the author addressed to Indira Gandhi in each chapter, was the only space she could exercise her creativity, but they felt cheesy, judgemental and insignificant in an otherwise insightful book. Ghose has given Indira due credit for her achievements which are aplenty and given the political and economic situation of those times, incomparable with what PMs who came before or after her has accomplished. Overall, a great book to understand what it takes to be the most powerful Prime Minister of India.

[Swateek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had read about the post independence political climate in India from a variety of sources, a lot of the misdeeds were always pointing to the mother-son duo of Indira-Sanjay.

even though my go to book should have been the book by Pupul Jaykar, this I happened to get my hands on first.

The life of any person can never be judged on black or white, specially when it's politics. For every person acts according to their own will and their actions only attributed to them. Such was the life of Indira.

I don't intend to paint my views through her eyes, but this book helped me to understand better about how she saw things her way. Her way of politics, her philosophy of family and her love for India.

Sagarika Ghose's attempt to present an unbiased writing on the life of Ms. Gandhi has really come out fairly well. My personal favourite is the last chapter that talks about Indira - the woman.

This book deserves to be read.

[Naman Singh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book with many expectations but it turned out to be a mere loyalty to the leader... I have read much better life records of her and this book is a piece of trash!

[Yash Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Indira Feroze Gandhi : India's First Woman Prime Minister
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“In India, ‘Bhakti’ or what may be called the path of devotion or hero-worship plays a part in politics unequalled in magnitude by the part it plays in the politics of any other of the world. ‘Bhakti’ in religion may be a road to salvation of the soul. But in politics, ‘Bhakti’ or hero-worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship.”

- Dr BR Ambedkar


Indira, India's most powerful prime minister by sagarika ghose is an ok kind of book on Indira Feroze Gandhi. Although, this book is readable and knowledgeable too, especially for those who haven't read anything about Mrs Gandhi yet, but the bhakts of the incumbent Prime Minister of India bombarded with the one star rating for this book which is quite understandable because of their hatred against Indira feroze Gandhi.

Disclaimer : Those of you who have already read 'Indira : The life of Indira Nehru Gandhi ' by Katherine Frank can skip this book.

My Ratings :  ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

I hope you like this, thanks for reading, Jai Hind.

For more information You can visit - https://dontbignorant.in/

[Gopesh P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly a biased book or one-sided work. The author wants to highlight the positive elements of India Gandhi. However, this book helps to provide an understanding of Indira Gandhi and her political life. Also, this reflects the political environment of India during her period.

[Suman Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. I know a lot about Indira Gandhi, but this book added a lot of anecdotes and colour. The parallels between her and Modi are amazing. Worth reading just for that.

[Ahmed Wajeeh · Rating 1 out of 5]

a different view, not much impressing .

[Abhishek Tiwari · Rating 1 out of 5]

useless book . We should throw it out.

[Krishna Raj · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wastage of time. Totally biased and baseless facts! Avoid.

[Sonam Puri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not objective. 🔥

[Harinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating take on the life of Indira Gandhi. Well-researched, Ghose draws on other famous Gandhi biographies, notably Katherine Franks' work from some years ago. The thing that sets this one apart, though is her research and insight into Indira Gandhi as a person as much as a political figure. I enjoyed the laying out of the development and change in Gandhi's character as she proceeded along her career, and how that played into her politics and performance. The most interesting chapter, for me, was the last one. Worth a read.

[Sahana]

There is no way I can rate this book above 0. Its a completely biased presentation of one of the most tyrannical prime minister of India. The actions of Indira Gandhi are so well recorded that no amount of whitewashing by books like these can make people forget her actions.

[Vn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable but very derivative. No new research or real analysis and really silly rhetorical questions, that I presume she thinks are insightful.

[Ashu Pachauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the book to know about Indira Gandhi, you'll hate it. Read the book to try and appreciate a female prime minister's journey through some of the toughest times, it's educational.
The book paints a complex picture of Indira Gandhi as the first woman prime minister of India during difficult times. Indira, without doubt, took some of the boldest decisions in the free India's history and the book highlights this trait throughout. However, one cannot ignore the mostly positive connotations put around her character, which takes away one star from the rating.
It takes courage to come out with this book during times when there couldn't be more prejudice against any congress political leader. Kudos to Sagarika for writing against the popular opinion.

[Amit Acharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good attempt by sagarika in trying to decode Mrs Gandhi...her tone is neutral & non judgemental. She brings out the inherent contradictions & the flaws/ weakness in indira's character which shaped our country for good or bad. overall an honest & refreshing attempt by the author to highlight one of the most controversial PM our country ever had to the current generation.

[Clive VanBuerle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book only because of what I believed were unfair trolls that I saw being unleashed on the Author and because of the interest it was getting on twitter. Obviously I'm a centre left ideologist so It was also another reason why I was keen to see what Sagarika had to reveal.

The pace of the narrative itself was very good and I was hooked within a few pages. The plot, connecting the various protagonist and events and being able to digress but return to the point was very commendable given the number of interesting and important people and events of the time.

It is clear Sagrika is a good story teller, she picked very interesting anecdotes and people that the modern reader could relate to and quite interestingly weaved a strong Indira Gandhi narrative. While it is clear the author is a fan and follower of Indira Gandhi she has not necessarily painted her as a perfect person and has provided a balanced account of the happenings during her rein.

What was most dis-interesting reading were the rhetoric letters/questions Sagarika added to many of the end-chapters. They were not gripping and added no read-value in my opinion. However If i were to get into the Author's mind "she had to write something original and beyond the tales she pulled from various other sources"

I especially liked the faint effort the author makes in several places to build a comparison with the 2017 political climate and her subtle but powerful between the lines comparisons between then and now.

Overall I enhoyed the book and will definitely pick up another one of Sagrika's books when they ever come out!

[Arun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow, I like reading biographies or histories charted out by someone who has lived through those trying times. What fresh perspective this book gives you is one of a young girl(the author) looking up at that larger than life woman, first with admiration and then beginning to question the all mighty PM. It's how you evolve and your views about people do too.

I like the Dear Mrs. Gandhi portions of the book the best. It's that extra something that sets this book apart from the numbers popular biographies out there.

[Ruchik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A biographical sketch..mostly builds on the material already known..more supportive than critical..the letters as literary device does not work..

[Mikail Husain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born insecure as a daughter in a Kashmiri Pandit family of stature, influence and prestige, Indu-boy, was a protective, possessive and rebel kid who while appreciative of her father’s secular, democratic and noble idealism led a life quite in contrast often treading the line. Her grand-father, Motilal’s fondness for her, her father’s attempts at raising her as a reflection of him, her defiance in marrying Feroze Gandhi and being the overtly indulgent mother to Sanjay Gandhi is all quite well captured.

Her growth journey from being an I&B Minister, to a Congress Member to one responsible of disintegrating it and becoming a Prime Minister is something to read. Possibly the only apparent dictator to impose an Emergency and then revert to Elections soon after speaks volumes about Indira, Jawahar’s prodigal daughter and Indira the autocratic self serving mother Prime Minister.

An easy read about the first and only woman prime minister of India, the book doesn’t shy away from portraying Indira as a human with follies, who unknowingly altered the aspirational socialist, secular, democratic politics of India with the polarising, appeasing and fundamental one, all in a bid to maintain dynasty politics.

Reading this in 2020, one can clearly see the comparisons with the present government antics and those of Indira, in the name of vote bank politics and how Indu-boy will always remain a formidable political figure to learn from in Indian politics.

[Tanvi Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics is certainly the widest, and most overwhelming topic you can ever read. Behind the scene can be devastating for some. i was extremely curious to read about one of the most powerful and influential prime minister of India, Mrs.gandhi. The best part about this book is 'a point of view' which seems unbiased from author's side. She tries to comply and convey all the information close to the reality as possible. Major events and incidents are taken into account. Specially talking about Mrs gandhi, every possible detail is added, from the time when she was a child and was unnoticed in front of many eyes, to the young age where she was fierce, to the point where she acted like durga. Every phase of her life is covered with much explicit information.
One setback of the book could be dragging of subjects. Sometimes you will feel bored, some things are repetitive and simply a little draggy. Otherwise a good book to read to know the insights from Indira Gandhi's life.

[Niveditha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book made me go 'meh'.

When writing a book on one of the most popular, talked-about political figure, such as Indira Gandhi, one needs to take special care to peel off the layers of their subjects, reveal another facet and shed light of a different colour on them. This book does none of that and simply reiterates previously known and available facts.

The book (while quite readable) contains very little original research- it derives very heavily on other works and is quite heavily loaded with 'xyz says' which simply means that the writer is quoting another writer, not quite we expect from a book that was released with some hype. Ghose's letters don't reveal any innovative thinking either- merely rhetorical ones. The only saving grace seems to be the way the Kamala-Indira relationship was explored. Kamala has always been lurking in the shadows and her influence is not talked of frequently.

Read if you have time in your hands and no other book nearby.

[Sunita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indira is a fascinating account of the complex lady who is touted as the most powerful prime minister of free India.
I didn't find it biased at all because the author has successfully managed to draw out a Indira who believed in democracy, only to impose the emergency and dynasty rule. She believed religion should stay out of politics only to indulge in it in Punjab and Kashmir. As much as she is credited for keeping the country together, she is criticised for not letting regional leaders grow. She enjoyed the company of intellectuals and artists but she removed every voice from her team that didn't spell loyalty or seemed critical of her. She was quite a complex lady and knew her place in the world. The book also helps understand the Feroze-Indira dynamics.
I enjoyed the book and the various anecdotes that helped draw out the fiery lady that was Indira.

[Murtaza Beda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve heard about Mrs Indira Gandhi since my childhood, and this is first ever book i read about her. This book is very well written, and in simple manner. I don’t like long books, and as a biographical account this is moderately sized. I really enjoyed this book, got to know about 70s and 80s Indian politics and surrounding situations. Author herself seems fan of Mrs Gandhi, but also make sure to criticize where needed. I very much enjoyed reading and would recommend to everyone who has interest in Indian politics.

I found last chapter which is actually opinions of author about Mrs Gandhi very long, and also i wanted to understand Assam issue in little detail as it troubled her in final years but it was not there.

[Nikhil Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for those who want to understand the ossified legs of today's Indian politics - its bureaucratic corruption, personality cult, (mis)use of religious, loyalty to leadership and dynasties. Indira Gandhi mastered it all.

With an interesting psychoanalytic approach, Sagarika Ghose has tried to take us back to the past - where our present inevitably lies. She has attempted a conversation that was pending for far too long. She portrays Indira Gandhi as just another human being, vulnerable to the same vanities and ambitions, dedicated to family and a proud sense of her own indispensability to India's progress.

[Aishu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book is a critical analysis of the individual and political figure that was Indira Gandhi - tracking her evolution through the various stages of her life and how she juggled different roles. The book is good in a way that it gives a fine glimpse of life in India under the dictatorial Prime Minister's rule, but it also washes plenty of her dirty linen in public which I found rather upsetting. The author's information source mostly seems to be hearsay so the accuracy of the content could be questionable. Barring some sections of the book which depressed me a great deal, overall it was a good read.

[Siddharrth Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sagarika Ghose has penned a fabulous write-up, on one of the most revered icons of Indian history, Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi was a cult phenomenon, a no nonsense lady, who would go about to literally rule the Indian Democracy and was often called as the 'Uncrowned Monarch'.

Her political career was no less than of an Authoritarian, that went on to be clouded by the darkest events in Indian archive; The Emergency and The Operation Blue Star. However accused and loathed, what triggered these two impositions is something, which no one questions.

I'd highly recommend you to give this book a read as the author has given a comprehensive insight, in a wonderfully chronological order. 📚

[Pradha Mathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The “Letters to Indira” at the end of each chapter add a unique and touching layer to the book, elevating it far beyond the usual event-based narrative found in most biographies.

Most of us only know about her political career—which is undoubtedly commendable—but it was her personal life that truly piqued my interest. Discovering the tenacity, vulnerability, and strength of this powerful woman has inspired me to stay stubborn, stand my ground, and never submit—especially to men who don’t even have the courage to say things to my face.

Let’s channel that Indira energy—unapologetic, bold, and untouchable by cowardly criticism.