Mahatma Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru

This is the first volume of a three-volume study of the historic partnership between Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, the two principal architects of Indian Independence, by Madhu Limaye, himself a participant in the freedom movement and an
outstanding intellectual. Their unique relationship is a fascinating subject for study. No two personalities could have been so dissimilar in their background and psychological make up. It was the ideal of freedom that gave a point to -Iawaharlal's existence. He was drawn to Gandhi not only because he embodied the ideal of Swaraj but because his programme' and method gave an outlet to Jawaharlal's restless energy: In the first decade of their relationship Jawaharlal was a loyal follower of Gandhi, although
he did not share his spiritual ideal. He was-. nonetheless profoundly influenced by his ends-and-means philosophy. Gandhi found in Jawaharlal an uncompromising champion of freedom, a man of integrity and truth, unmatched industry. and great drive. Gandhi's choice ' of successor was deliberate and not based only on emotion. Gandhi felt Jawaharlal was the best of the lot. After his trip to Western Europe. and Soviet Russia in 1926-27 Jawaharlal emerged as the leader of the "republican army" and articulate champion or a new economic programme. Gandhi-Jawaharlal differences threatened to reach a breaking point in early 1928 , but Jawaharlal retreated hastily from the precipice telling Gandhi that after all he was his
"child in politics though sometimes an errant and a truant one". Gandhi resisted for two years the dynasty-conscious Motilal's prnpesal to make Jawaharlal Congress President, but ultimately decided to "pitchfork" him into office in a bid to renew and broaden its appeal to the young people. Under Jawaharlal's impulse Gandhi himself switched to Complete Independence and launched the great Civil Disobedience campaign in 1930. Jawaharlal gradually pushed the Congress towards a policy of the abolition of zamindari system, end to princely autocracy, and state ownership of key industries as the foundation of
economic development.