Rajendra Prasad: Biography, History, UPSC
Rajendra Prasad Biography
| Nick Name | Ajatshatru, Desh Ratna |
| Born | 3 December 1884 |
| Father | Mahadev Sahai |
| Mother | Kamleshwari Devi |
| Siblings | Three elder sisters and a brother |
| Died | 28 February 1963 |
Early life
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was born on 3 December 1884 in Ziradei, a small village in Bihar. At that time, there was no discrimination in the name of religion, and everyone used to live peacefully, therefore many friends of Rajendra Prasad were Muslims who used to celebrate Holi and Diwali with him and including Rajendra Prasad, many Hindus used to celebrated Muharram and Eid festival.
Being the youngest member of a large joint family, Rajendra Prasad had a very good childhood and a very strong bond with all family members.
Rajendra Prasad’s father’s name was Mahadev Sahai and he knew Sanskrit and Persian languages.
Marriage
In those days child marriage was very common, so while carrying on the old tradition of child marriage, he was married to a young woman named Rajvanshi Devi at the age of 12.
Schooling
Rajendra Prasad’s health was often spoiled in his childhood, but he never stopped focusing on study due to his health issues.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad had his early education in Ziradei village of Bihar. At that time it was a kind of custom that every student should know the Persian language so therefore Dr. Rajendra Prasad, along with his cousins, started going to Maulvi (teacher or doctor of Islamic law) who used to teach him the Persian language. He was serious about his studies since childhood.
After finishing school education, he got first place in the Calcutta University entrance exam for studies.
After this, a scholarship of 30 rupees per month was also provided to him. This was the first time that a young man from Ziradei village had succeeded in getting admission to Calcutta University and also got the first position in the university which was a matter of great pride for him and his family members.
In the year 1902, Rajendra got admission to Calcutta Presidency College.
In the year 1915, he did a master’s degree in law and received a gold medal. Then he got his doctorate in law.
Personality
When Dr. Rajendra was born, British imperialism had completely weakened at that time. and people were boycotting British clothes and foods in almost every area of India. However, Dr. Rajendra Prasad always used to wear a dhoti-kurta and a cap on his head as per Indian tradition. He was very hungry to learn.
Rajendra Prasad was a man of a firm and liberal attitude, he had determined once and tried his best to fulfill it.
Being a part of a large family, he was of a slightly conservative ideology. He admitted that he did not like to even touch the food of anyone other than a Brahmins. But his behavior was left out after coming in contact with Mahatma Gandhi.
Political journey
In those days when Rajendra Prasad’s political journey began, at that time the Swadeshi movement was in full swing and at the same time, Rajendra was standing with Mahatma Gandhi.
When Gopal Krishna Gokhale started the Servants of India Society in the year 1905, Rajendra Prasad also wanted to join it but his family members were against the Servants of India Society, so Rajendra did not take any step against his family and he turned down the proposal of the Servants of India Society.
As he had a law degree, so Rajendra Prasad started meeting many famous lawyers, scholars, and writers. And in that, he also became an important member of the Indian Congress Committee.
Rajendra Prasad soon came in contact with Mahatma Gandhi due to the image of a dedicated worker. And since then, his political journey was started. During the Champaran movement, Dr. Rajendra became a loyal companion of Mahatma Gandhi.
As soon as he came in contact with Mahatma Gandhi, he had abandoned the old orthodox ideology and ensured his participation in the freedom movement with new energy.
He was also the President of the National Congress more than once. Although India had become independent by August 15, 1947, the Constituent Assembly was formed shortly before that. And Rajendra Prasad was also its president.
On January 26, 1950, when the Constitution was implemented in India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was also elected as the first President of India on the same day.
Achievements of Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- He was the only President of India who became the President twice in a row.
- While on the post of President, Dr. Rajendra also traveled to many countries for goodwill.
- He insisted on maintaining peace in that molecular era.
Legacy
Due to his political and social contributions in the year 1962, he was given the “Bharat Ratna”, the highest civilian award of India.
Death
After a long time, he retired from politics and spent the rest of his life in a small hermitage near Patna and died in the year 1963 on 28 February.
He was fundamentally a man of simplicity. Even in childhood, when his colleagues were influenced by foreign culture and started wearing western clothes i.e. pant-shirts, at that time Rajendra Prasad preferred to wear only dhoti-kurta.
There are many such incidents related to his life that prove that Dr. Rajendra Prasad was a very kind and nature-friendly person.
Rajendra Prasad’s image is that of a great and humble president in Indian political history. And even after so many years of his death, he is remembered as a role model among all modern days politicians.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad cast
Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s caste was a Brahmin and he did not even like to eat any non-Brahmin’s food since childhood, but his habit was abandoned after coming in contact with Mahatma Gandhi.
Contribution of Dr Rajendra Prasad
- Satyagraha at Champaran
- Division of India
- Atmakatha
- Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar, Some Reminiscences
- Since Independence
- Bharatiya Shiksha
- At the feet of Mahatma Gandhi
Rajendra Prasad essay
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