essay on gandhiji and lal bahadur shastri

Skip to primary navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar

UPSC Coaching, Study Materials, and Mock Exams

Enroll in ClearIAS UPSC Coaching Join Now Log In

Call us: +91-9605741000

Lal Bahadur Shastri: The Man of Peace

Last updated on December 1, 2022 by ClearIAS Team

Lal Bahadur Srivastava, or Shastri Ji as India knows him was a humble yet strong statement who guided India through tough times.

He served the country in various roles and was one of the most down-to-earth personalities of our history.

Shastri promoted White Revolution and Green Revolution.

Lal Bahadur Shastri led India during the India-Pakistan War of 1965 and gave the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kistan’.

Table of Contents

The early life of Lal Bahadur Shastri

Birth: 2 nd October 1904

He was born to Sharada Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh.

👉 Which year are YOU targeting for success in the IAS/IPS/IFS Exam? 🚀

(1) ⇒ UPSC 2025: Prelims cum Mains

(2) ⇒ UPSC 2026: Prelims cum Mains

(3) ⇒ UPSC 2027 Prelims cum Mains

Tip: Know more about ClearIAS Courses (Online/Offline)

His early education was in Urdu at East Central Railway Inter College , Mughalsarai till sixth class

He then moved to Harish Chandra High School , Varanasi for further studies.

At this time he dropped his caste-derived surname Srivastava , in order with his view that the caste system is derogatory.

1925: He further completed his studies with a first-class degree in philosophy and ethics from The Kashi Vidyapeeth (which was inaugurated by Gandhi Ji in Benares in 1921).

He was given the title of ‘Shastri’ (scholar) as it was the norm in the institution after completion of a bachelor’s degree.

1928: He married Lalita Devi and later the couple had four sons and two daughters,

Lal Bahadur Shastri’s foray into the Freedom movement

His high school teacher Nishkameshawar Mishra’s patriotism inspired Shastriji to take interest in the freedom struggle.

1921: He started attending public meetings in Benares hosted by Gandhiji and Madan Mohan Malviya while in 10 th

Shastri withdrew from Harish Chandra High School to join Non-Cooperation Movement inspired by Gandhiji’s call for students to withdraw from government schools.

He joined the local branch of the congress party as a volunteer and actively took part in picketing and anti-govt demonstrations.

He was arrested and jailed but was let go as he was still a minor.

He later became a life member of the Lok Seva Mandal (The Servants Of The People Society) founded by Lala Lajpat Rai and began to work for the betterment of Harijans at Muzaffarpur.

He later became the President of the society.

Shastriji’s Political path:

1928: Joined Indian National Congress as an active member on the advice of Gandhiji

1929: He was appointed as Secretary of the Allahabad District Congress Committee.

1935: He was made the General Secretary of UP Pradeshik Congress Committee (PCC).

1937: He was elected to UP Legislative Assembly and became the organizing secretary of the parliamentary board of UP.

He served as an elected representative for United Provinces in 1937 and 1946.

1940: He supported the individual satyagraha movement and was sent to prison for 1 year because of this.

1942: He was released from jail but jumped back into the independence movement on the call for Quit India Movement by Gandhiji in Bombay. He travelled to Allahabad to organize the movement there.

The political journey of Lal Bahadur Shastri post-independence

1947: Shastri was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary in Uttar Pradesh.

He later became the Minister of Police and Transport under Chief Minister Govind Ballabh Pant in 1947.

He appointed women conductors for the first time.

1951: He was made the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee with Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime Minister.

1952: He won the UP Vidhansabha seat from Saraon North and Phulpur West and was supposed to be retained as Home Minister of UP.

But he was rather called by Nehru to the centre as Minister of Railways and Transport in the first cabinet of the Republic of India.

1956: He resigned after a couple of railway accidents that killed 144 people in Tamil Nadu; he believed he was responsible as the topmost authority.

1959: He was called back as Minister of Commerce And Industry .

1961: He was made the Minister of Home Affairs .

Lal Bahadur Shastri, Prime Minister of India (1964-66):

1964: Jawaharlal Nehru died in May 1964 and Lal Bahadur Shastri became the second Prime Minister of the Republic of India, under President Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan.

He handled the portfolios of external affairs and atomic energy initially but later transferred external affairs to Swaran Singh.

He retained the main ministers of the Nehru cabinet and also included Indira Gandhi as information and broadcasting minister .

Shastri was the first Prime Minister to have a secretary, a senior ICS officer to advise him. He thus laid the foundation of what later became the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

1964: He gave India the White Revolution by supporting the Amul Milk Cooperative of Anand, Gujarat.

1965: He established National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Anand.

1965: He set in motion the start of the Green Revolution to fight the growing food crisis in the country.

January 1965- The Agricultural Prices Commission (APC) was set up.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) came into being.

National seeds corporation was set up

Central warehousing corporation came up.

India’s foreign relations during Shastri Ji’s tenure:

Lal Bahadur Shastri’s tenure was marked by many important events like the Indo-Ceylon Agreement, the Deportation of Indian families from Burma, and the Indo-Pak war of 1965.

Indo-Ceylon Agreement/ Bhandarnaike-Shastri Pact:

It was an agreement signed between the Prime Ministers of both countries in 1964.

The agreement was significant in determining the status and future of people of Indian origin in Ceylon (later Sri Lanka) who were successor generations of the tea estate labourers British had taken there.

Burma had deported several Indian families in 1964 after a military coup in 1962; this caused a strain in relations between India and Burma.

Shastriji made an official visit to Rangoon in 1965 and cordial relations were again established between the countries.

Indo-Pak war of 1965:

Also known as the Second Kashmir war was the culmination of numerous skirmishes between India and Pakistan in 1965.

The conflict began with Pakistan’s operation Gibraltar to infiltrate forces to Jammu and Kashmir,

Even though a strict follower of Gandhiji’s principle of non-violence, Shastriji led India in the war courageously.

He addressed the nation by giving the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” – a tribute to the farmers fighting the food crisis and soldiers fighting at the border.

The hostilities came to end after a ceasefire was declared through UNSC resolution 211 by the diplomatic intervention of the Soviet Union and the United States , leading to the Tashkent declaration .

The death of Lal Bahadur Shastri

11 th January 1966 : Lal Bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then the Soviet Union) – one day after signing the peace treaty to end the 1965 war.

The official reason for his death has been given as heart attack- the controversial circumstances such as the fact that a prime minister of the country was not attended by a doctor on time has led to numerous speculations.

Many controversies are surrounding his death, but all the documents of investigations conducted are classified to date.

Most of the doubts are generated due to the fact was Shastriji was not a Prime Minister who could be controlled by the Soviet Union or western powers.

1977: Raj Narain committee was constituted to look into the mysterious death of Shastriji by the Janata Party government .

The committee’s investigation was also riddled with mysterious happenings as two crucial witnesses- Shastriji’s physician, Dr RN Chugh, and personal servant, Ram Nath, were killed in accidents en route to their statement recording before the committee.

The report of the committee was never made public and many petitions have been filed to declassify them.

The central information commission has directed PMO, home, and external affairs ministries to make the records public.

Shastriji’s resting place is called the Vijay Ghat situated in Delhi.

A book by M.L Verma, ‘Lalita ke Aansoo’ was published in 1978, in which the tragic story of his death is narrated by his wife Lalita Devi.

Legacy of Shastri Ji

Lal Bahadur Shastri was in true terms the most honest prime minister and politician of India.

Despite being a minister he did not amass any wealth and was a true believer of Gandhian philosophy to not accumulate any wealth and personal belongings.

He was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna in 1966 and a stamp featuring him was also released the same year.

He was nicknamed “The man of peace” as he always preferred maintaining cordial relations with the neighbours through peaceful means.

The IAS training institute in Mussoorie is named in honour of him- Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).

Best-Selling ClearIAS Courses

Upsc prelims cum mains (pcm) gs course: unbeatable batch 2025 (online), rs.75000 rs.29999, upsc prelims cum mains (pcm) gs course: ultimate batch 2025 (online), rs.95000 rs.49999, upsc prelims cum mains (pcm) gs course: ultimate batch 2026 (online), rs.115000 rs.59999, upsc prelims cum mains (pcm) gs course: ultimate batch 2027 (online), rs.125000 rs.69999.

About ClearIAS Team

ClearIAS is one of the most trusted learning platforms in India for UPSC preparation. Around 1 million aspirants learn from the ClearIAS every month.

Our courses and training methods are different from traditional coaching. We give special emphasis on smart work and personal mentorship. Many UPSC toppers thank ClearIAS for our role in their success.

Download the ClearIAS mobile apps now to supplement your self-study efforts with ClearIAS smart-study training.

Don’t lose out without playing the right game!

Follow the ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Integrated Approach.

UPSC Online Preparation

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Indian Police Service (IPS)
IAS Exam Eligibility
UPSC Free Study Materials
UPSC Exam Guidance
UPSC Prelims Test Series
UPSC Syllabus
UPSC Online
UPSC Prelims
UPSC Interview
UPSC Toppers
UPSC Previous Year Qns
UPSC Age Calculator
UPSC Calendar 2025
About ClearIAS
ClearIAS Programs
ClearIAS Fee Structure
IAS Coaching
UPSC Coaching
UPSC Online Coaching
ClearIAS Blog
Important Updates
Announcements
Book Review
ClearIAS App
Work with us
Advertise with us
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Talk to Your Mentor

Featured on

and many more...

ClearIAS Programs: Admissions Open

Thank You 🙌

UPSC CSE 2025: On May 25, 2025

Subscribe ClearIAS YouTube Channel

Get free study materials. Don’t miss ClearIAS updates.

Subscribe Now

IAS/IPS/IFS Online Coaching: Target CSE 2025

Cover the entire syllabus of UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains systematically.

School Life

Essay on Lal Bahadur Shastri in English for Students [2024]

Lal bahadur shastri essay in english: not just gandhi jayanti, october 2nd, 2024, also marks the 99th birth anniversary of shri lal bahadur shashtri. check the easy lal bahadur shastri essay in 100, 200 and 500 words in english below. .

Lal Bahadur Shastri Essay: Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, India's second Prime Minister, was born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, India. Each year, October 2nd is celebrated as Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti, marking his birth anniversary. He was not only a prominent political leader but also a dedicated freedom fighter who coined the famous slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan." Shastri's leadership was also instrumental in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the Tashkent Agreement and the Green Revolution.

It's a significant coincidence that he drew immense inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, whose birth anniversary is also celebrated on October 2nd as Gandhi Jayanti. In this article, you will find 100, 200 and 500-word Lal Bahadur Shastri essays in English, suitable for school students and children of all ages.

Lal Bahadu r Shastri Speech in Hindi
Lal Bahadur Shastri Essay in Hindi
Lal Bahadur Shastri Speech in English

10 Lines on Lal Bahadur Shastri in English

Who was Lal Bahadur Shastri - Paragraph in English

Lal bahadur shastri essay in 100 words in english.

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, born on October 2, 1904, was India's second Prime Minister. He was a significant freedom fighter and political leader who held many important portfolios during his lifetime. He also came up with the famous slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War.

His father was a school teacher who died when Shashtri was just one and a half years old. He came from a humble background and his life showcases his honesty and dedication for his motherland and its people.

Lal Bahadur Shastri Essay in 200 words

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, born on October 2, 1904, served as India's second Prime Minister. During his childhood, he was affectionately called 'Nanhe' by his near and dear ones. Shastri played a significant role as a freedom fighter in India's struggle against British colonial rule and later emerged as a key figure in the Green Revolution, aimed at promoting agricultural self-sufficiency.

Known for his humble background, simplicity, honesty, and unwavering dedication to public service, Shastri is a revered figure in Indian history. He coined the famous slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, aimed at boosting the morale of both the armed forces and the agricultural community.

One of the major highlights of Shastri's tenure as Prime Minister was the signing of the Tashkent Agreement in 1966, which effectively ended the war between India and Pakistan. However, his life was tragically cut short when he died under mysterious circumstances in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on January 11, 1966. To this day, his death remains a subject of investigation and debate.

Lal Bahadur Shastri Essay in English 500 Words

Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of India, serving from 1964 to 1966. A man of great courage and determination, he was a devout follower of Mahatma Gandhi and played a key role in the Indian independence movement. Shastri - the ‘little dynamo of a man’ was known for his simplicity, honesty, and dedication to public service.

Lal Bahadur was born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, India. He came from a humble background and faced many financial difficulties during his childhood. However, he was always determined to succeed and worked hard to get an education. He graduated from Kashi Vidyapeeth in Varanasi. ‘Shastri’ was the bachelor’s degree awarded to him there but eventually became a part of his name and thus, he came to be known as Lal Bahadur “Shastri”.

Shastri joined the Indian independence movement when he was 16 years old. He was deeply influenced by the Gandhian ideology of non-violence and truth. Shastri participated in several civil disobedience movements and was imprisoned numerous times by the British government. Despite the hardships he faced, Shastri never gave up his fight for independence.

After India gained independence in 1947, Shastri joined the government of Jawaharlal Nehru. He held several important portfolios, including Minister of Railways and Transport, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Minister of Home Affairs. Shastri was known for his administrative skills and his ability to get things done.

In 1964, Nehru passed away and Shastri was elected as the second Prime Minister of India. Shastri took over at a time when India was facing several challenges, including a severe drought, a slowdown in economic growth, and a border dispute with Pakistan.

Shastri's first major challenge as Prime Minister was to deal with the drought of 1965. The drought affected millions of people across India and caused widespread crop failures. Shastri's government launched several relief measures to help the affected people. He started the Green Revolution to lead India to agrarian self-sufficiency. He also appealed to the international community for assistance.

Another challenge that Shastri faced was the slowdown in economic growth. The Indian economy had grown rapidly in the early years after independence. However, in the early 1960s, the economy started to slow down. Shastri's government launched several economic reforms to boost growth.

In 1965, India went to war with Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. The 1965 Indo-Pak war lasted for 17 days and ended in a stalemate. Shastri played a key role in leading India to victory in the war. He also played a key role in negotiating the Tashkent Agreement, which brought an end to the Pakistan war of 1965.

Shastri died unexpectedly on January 11, 1966, during a visit to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. His death was a major setback for India and the world. He was a great leader who dedicated his life to serving the people of India. Shastri's legacy continues to inspire people around the world. He was a man of great simplicity, honesty, and courage.

Gandhi Jayanti Essay in English
Gandhi Jayanti Speech in English
Gandhi Jayanti Essay in Hindi
Gandhi Jayanti Speech in Hindi

Get here latest School , CBSE and Govt Jobs notification and articles in English and Hindi for Sarkari Naukari , Sarkari Result and Exam Preparation . Download the Jagran Josh Sarkari Naukri App .

What were the qualities of Lal Bahadur Shastri? + Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri is known for his humble background, simplicity, determination and honesty.
Why is Lal Bahadur Shastri famous? + Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri was the 2nd Prime Minister of India. He gave the slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan. He was a prominent freedom fighter and held several important positions in the central government after India's independence. He is also known for Green revolution.
What are 10 short facts about Lal Bahadur Shastri? + 10 short facts about Lal Bahadur Shastri is given here in 10 lines. Check Lal Bahadur Shastri Essay in English here.
Sarkari Result 2024
UP Police Constable Result 2024
RRB ALP Admit Card 2024
SSC MTS Answer Key 2024
SSC CGL Result 2024
IBPS PO Result 2024
UP Police Result 2024
CBSE Exam Date Sheet 2025
CBSE 12th Date Sheet 2025
CBSE 10th Date Sheet 2025 PDF
Education News

Latest Education News

Today Current Affairs One Liners 22 November 2024: New Member of ISA

Picture Puzzle IQ Test: Only the Highly Observant Eyes Can Find Nine Faces in 19 Seconds!

Current Affairs Quiz 22 November 2024: Khelo India Youth Games

Current Affairs Quiz In Hindi 22 Nov 2024: खेलो इंडिया यूथ गेम्स 2025

Today Current Affairs Hindi One Liners: 22 नवंबर 2024- 'गगनयान' मिशन

[लिंक एक्टिव] RSMSSB Animal Attendant Admit Card 2024 OUT: राजस्थान पशु परिचर एडमिट कार्ड जारी, यहां से करें डाउनलोड

What is Mallika Sagar’s Net Worth? Career, Biography, Net Worth in INR Explained

RRB ALP Admit Card 2024 OUT: Download Zone-Wise CBT 1 Call Letter at rrb.digialm.com

RPF SI City Slip 2024 OUT at rrb.digialm.com: Download RRB Exam Details Here

Brain Teaser IQ Test: Find the Dog Among the Herd of Sheep in 5 Seconds!

RPF SI City Slip Out 2024: आरपीएफ एसआई परीक्षा की सिटी स्लिप rrb.digialm.com पर जारी, इस Link से Direct करें Download

Total Engineering Colleges in India (2024): Government, Private and Others

List of IPL Auctioneers till 2024 with Name and Year

(Link Active) MPSC Civil Service Admit Card 2024 Out : Download Rajyaseva Civil Service Call Letter at mpsconline.gov.in

Power Up Your Future: The Best B.Tech Colleges in Andhra Pradesh 2024

Top 5 Current Affairs of the Day for Govt. Jobs: 22 November 2024 - ITM, Mahtab, UNESCO, WFD And Others

RSMSSB Animal Attendant Admit Card 2024 OUT at rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in: Download Rajasthan Pashu Paricharak Here

CBSE Class 12 Subject Wise Exam Pattern And Marking Scheme 2025: FREE PDF Download!

SSC MTS Answer Key 2024: ssc.gov.in पर आज आ सकती है उत्तर कुंजी, इस link से कर सकते हैं check

AFCAT Full Form: What does AFCAT Stand for? Check Full Name

The Study Cafe

The Educational Blog (Learning Simplified)

Essay On Lal Bahadur Shastri for Students and Children In English

During the Indian freedom movement and post independence, there were several names of leaders that came to the forefront. Among them, the name of Lal Bahadur Shastri is one and he was also one of the most memorable leaders to participate in the India revolution.

Table of Contents

Essay On Lal Bahadur Shastri In English

Not only that, he was also the second prime minister of independent India. He is still remembered for his famous motto – ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’.

Regardless of the class you study in, you should always be prepared on the essays and life histories of the eminent leaders of India.

If you’ve been told to write an essay on Lal Bahadur Shastri and you’re not pretty sure about what to include in it, we’re here to help you out. Read on to know on his life, education, childhood and political career.

A short description of Lal Bahadur Shastri’s life

He was the brave soul who had led India through the war of Indo-Pakistan in the year 1965. Throughout the war, he has gained extreme popularity and still now he is remembered for his leadership skills in that vital war. The war formally ended with the signing of the Tashkent Agreement on the 10 th of January, 1966.

Lal Bahadur Shastri died on the following day while he was still in Tashkent. The reason that was reported for his death was an attack but later on there were several contradicting views on the death of Shastri.

The Central Intelligence Agency also said that it could be a planned murder. The opposition leaders didn’t miss this opportunity to link Indira Gandhi’s role in planning the murder of Shastri.

Lal Bahadur Shastri – His early life

Lal Bahadur Shastri was born at his maternal grandparents place in Ramnagar, Varanasi. He was born to a Hindu Kayastha family that was used as civil servants. His paternal family had been associated with being the zamindars of Ramnagar, a place close to Varanasi.

Sharad Prasad Srivastava was Lal Bahadur Shastri’s father and he was a teacher who eventually became a clerk at the Allahabad revenue office.

His mother’s name was Ramdulari Devi and he was the daughter of Munshi Hazari Lal, the teacher and principal of a school in Mughalsarai. Shastri was the second kid to his parents as he had an elder sister.

Shastri along with his cousin sisters all grew up in the family of his maternal grandparents, Hazari Lal. Through a very unfortunate incident, Hazari Lal died of stroke during the middle of 1908.

Since then, the family was taken care of by Darbari Lal who was his brother. After him, his son, Bindeshwari Prasad, looked after the entire family.

Shastri’s journey with the Great Bapu, Mahatma Gandhi

As and when Lal Bahadur Shastri completed his education, he joined the mission of Gandhi Ji to free India from the Britishers. Since a very young age, he became a national party volunteer and Gandhi Ji guided him throughout this journey.

For many consecutive years, he worked under the leadership of other eminent leaders. Later on, in 1920, he joined the Congress party and responded to Gandhi Ji’s call.

Lal Bahadur Shastri – The young Satyagraha

The family of Shastri clearly had no such link to the Indian Freedom Movement. He had a respected teacher at his high school named Nishkameshwar Prasad Mishra who gave him all the financial backing that he needed. It was then that Shastri took the decision of actively participating in the Indian freedom struggle.

He started reading on the history of India and also on the works of personalities like Gandhiji, Swami Vivekananda and Annie Besant.

When he was in the tenth standard, just before his final examinations were scheduled, he attended a meeting that was hosted by Madan Mohan Malviya and Gandhiji in Benaras.

Mahatma Gandhi then asked the students to withdraw themselves from government-backed schools and become a vital part of the non-cooperation movement.

Immediately he withdrew himself from Harish Chandra School and joined the Congress Party’s non-cooperation movement. He became active in anti-government activities like picketing.

Within few days, he was imprisoned and arrested for his deeds but soon he was released for being a minor. The immediate supervisor of Lal Bahadur Shastri was J.B Kripalani who became one of the outstanding leaders of the Indian Freedom Movement. He was also one of the closest followers of Gandhi ji.

Political Career of Lal Bahadur Shastri

State minister.

Post independence, Shastri was assigned the Parliamentary Secretary in Uttar Pradesh, his home state. On the 15 th of August, 1947, he became the Police Minister and Transport Minister under the ministership of Govind Ballabh Pant. As the Minister of Police, he was the one to order that the police use strong jets of water rather than lathis to disperse the mob.

Cabinet Minister

In 1951, Shastri was the general secretary of the All India Congress Committee along with the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru , who was the then Prime Minister. He was given the chance to choose his candidates and his cabinet comprised of the most prominent businessmen of India including Ratilal Premchand Mehta.

Prime Minister of India

The chief minister of Congress Party, K. Kamaraj created Shastri the Prime Minister on the 9 th of June. Lal Bahadur Shastri was a soft and polite man but he was also a Nehruvian socialist. He took oath as a Prime Minister of India on the 11 th of June, 1964. He aimed to build a secular mixed-economy democracy along with prosperity and freedom.

Jai Jawan Jai Kisan

He gave this outstanding motto during the Indo-Pak war of 1965. Lal Bahadur Shastri was among the nicest Indians who left a memorable impression on the minds of Indians. Under his leadership, India faced the Pakistani invasion of 1965. His rule was not just a period to be proud of but the entire nation took pride in him.

Lal Bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent just after the day he signed the Tashkent Declaration, probably due to cardiac arrest. He was the first Prime Minister of India to die abroad.