J.L.Nehru - 4th prisoner

Jawaharlal Nehru November 14th, 1989 marks the 100th birth annivarsary of Jawaharlal Nehru - India's first Prime Minister and the founder of almost all aspects of its modern growth. Jawaharlal Nehru was a multi-feceted personality. Loved by the people of India as a patriot and tireless fighter for freedom, he symbolised the newly emerging forces which have served to transform our age. Nehru was the foremost disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and translated the Mahatma's philosophy into a concrete plan of action for the independence of India.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was compelled to spend almost three years in solitude in Ahmednagar, away from political limelight, when the 'Quit India' movement had pushed the country to the brink of political war. Nehru's long imprisonment in Ahmednagar, away from the country's main political centres, had provided him with sufficient time to read, write and indulge in his favourite hobby — gardening.

The thinker and historian in Nehru, however, made the best use of his confinement to pen down his magnum opus Discovery of India, which hitherto remains a masterpiece on the Indian history.
His long incarceration in the Ahmednagar fort prison was probably the only time Nehru got to devote to his creative self. Within a couple of years following his release, Nehru was once again at the centre of the freedom movement and was later at the helm of the nation's affairs until his death.
Nehru was among the 12 members of the Congress Working Committee who were lodged at the Ahmednagar fort prison soon after their arrest following the launch of the Quit India movement on August 8, 1942. His co-prisoners included Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Acharya Narendra Dev and Acharya J.B. Kripalani.

The British had chosen the Ahmednagar fort to lodge Nehru and the other national leaders to prevent further intensification of the Quit India movement.During his confinement at the fort, Nehru used to work everyday in the rose garden he had developed himself. He had procured the flower seeds from the Pune-based Pocha Seeds company.
According to available records, the prison administration had provided Nehru with spades, pick-axes and other gardening equipment.

Although the other political prisoners did not take part in the gardening, Nehru was helped in this task by some other prisoners. Within a weeks, the roses in the garden had blossomed, creating a pleasant mood in the otherwise dull prison atmosphere.

During his leisure time, Nehru and the other Congress leaders also played badminton at the badminton court, specially built for them. Nehru's co-prisoners celebrated his birthday on November 14 in 1942, 1943 and 1944. His imprisonment in the Ahmednagar fort came to an end in March 1945 when the Bombay province government decided to move the imprisoned Congress leaders to their respective provinces. Nehru's daily programme in the prison included regular morning exercises, reading various periodicals and books, besides gardening.

When this was achieved in 1947, Nehru served the nation for 17 years as its Prime Minister. This was the period when firm foundations were laid for the creation of Modern India. Nehru played a leading role in the reconstruction of the international scene in the post World War II period and was a tireless champion of progressive forces and peoples liberation movements through out the world. He gave to international politics the philosophy of non-alignment and international co-operation based on panch sheel. Though modern and scientific in his outlok, he was a literary writer of great genius with an abiding understanding of the historical process.

Jawaharlal Nehru was truly a remarkable role model for our current generation. Born to luxury he yet learnt the virtues of asceticism during his numerous imprisonments in the cause of the freedom struggle. Though he was educated abroad, he yet identified himself completely with the poor and down-trodden in his country. A philosopher and idealist, he still embodied his vision for India in pragmatic terms and dreams translated into a practical charter of economic action. A humanist and democrat, Jawaharlal Nehru believed in the innate dignity and brotherhood of all mankind. Text: Courtesy Implementation Committee of Nehru Centenary.