Whether it is the first prime minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru or his daughter, Indira Gandhi or the much recent members, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has always ruled Indian politics. While one may find innumerable biographies and autobiographies on the life stories of the above-mentioned, there is someone from this clan who has never received the same attention as his family members. Yes, you guessed it right, we are here today to discuss the forgotten hero of India – Feroze Gandhi. But, what is the real name of Feroze Gandhi? What were Feroze Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi relationship? How did Feroze Khan change his surname to Gandhi? How was the relationship between Feroze Gandhi and Indira Gandhi? How Feroze Gandhi died? This article will give you a rich insight into the life of Feroze Gandhi, who was the husband of Indira Gandhi.
Feroze Gandhi – The Forgotten Hero Of India
A freedom fighter, an unbiased politician and the first member of the Nehru-Gandhi family to join politics, Feroze Gandhi was the true anti-corruption leader that India needed during its tough times. This guide will also take a small glimpse into the relationship between Feroze Gandhi and Indira Gandhi.
Who Is Feroze Gandhi?
Feroze Gandhi, an Indian freedom fighter, politician and journalist was born on 12th September 1912. Born in a Parsi family to father Faredoon Jehangir and mother Ratimai in Bombay, young Feroze developed a passion for Indian politics at a very tender age. Soon after, he left his education in the middle to join India’s struggle for freedom. Since then, the young freedom activist did not look back. Destiny was in his favour. Soon, he joined Indian politics and later married the love of his life – Indira Gandhi, the first woman Prime Minister of independent India.
Who Was The Husband Of Indira Gandhi?
Feroze Gandhi is the one who was the husband of Indira Gandhi. But, how did he fall in love with a Hindu Brahmin girl? How was the relationship between Feroze Gandhi and Indira Gandhi? How did he get his surname ‘Gandhi’ when he in reality was born into a Parsi family? Read below to know more!
Also Read- Interesting & Unknown Facts About Indira Gandhi
Early Life And History Of Feroze Gandhi
Born on 12th September in a Parsi family in Bombay, young Feroze was brought up in Allahabad by his aunt. From childhood, young Feroze developed an immense love for Indian politics. While studying at Ewing Christian College, Gandhi decided to put an end to his formal education and join the freedom struggle.
Five years later in 1935, Feroze left India to pursue his higher education at the London School of Economics. But, politics was something that was always there in his blood. During his stay in London, he involved himself completely in student politics. He was an active participant in the freedom struggle organized by the Indian students abroad. Such was the craze he had developed towards politics and democracy!
Feroze Gandhi’s Parents
Feroze Gandhi was born in a Parsi family in Bombay to his father Faredoon Jehangir and mother Ratimai. His father was a Parsi Muslim and his mother was a Muslim. As an offspring generally takes the surname of his/her mother, Feroze got his surname as ‘Khan’.
But, again, his father’s side had the surname of ‘Ghandy’ and not Gandhi. Then, how did Feroze Khan rename himself to Feroze Gandhi? What is the Feroze Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi relation? Well, that’s a long story to be uncovered in the subsequent sections!
Feroze Gandhi And Mahatma Gandhi Relation – Real Name Of Feroze Gandhi
Well, it might confuse you to know that being a Parsi, Feroze got the surname of ‘Gandhi’. So, what is the real name of Feroze Gandhi? Born in a Parsi Muslim family, the real name of Feroze Gandhi was Feroze Jehangir Ghandy. But then, how did he get the title of ‘Gandhi’? What was the Feroze Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi relation?
Well, there is no definitive answer to it. Several theories hold the opinion that it was Mahatma Gandhi who adopted young Feroze and that was how he got himself renamed as Feroze Gandhi. Another theory suggests that the actual surname of Feroze was ‘Ghandy’. But, Feroze was so inspired by Gandhian principles that he decided to change his surname from ‘Ghandy’ to ‘Gandhi’!
Feroze Gandhi And Indira Gandhi – An Unsuccessful Love Story Of A Married Couple
Gandhi joined the freedom struggle of India in his early twenties. After that, he joined the Congress freedom struggle in Allahabad where he later met the love of his life – young Indira and her mother Kamala Nehru. During a protest, Kamala Nehru fainted due to the scorching heat and it was Feroze who took great care of the ailing mother.
Soon, Indira and Feroze grew closer to each other which ultimately resulted in Feroze proposing to young Indira. While her father Jawaharlal Nehru didn’t agree to inter-caste marriage, Indira was adamant! Scared, Jawaharlal asked Mahatma Gandhi to resolve the issue. It was Mahatma Gandhi who then put forward the idea of adopting Feroze so that he could be converted to a Hindu guy.
Unable to find any other alternative, Nehru agreed to the proposal and ultimately the couple got married in the year of 1942. However, the duo, as has been found in the pages of history, were never happy. Though Feroze had two sons from Indira, Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, both had varied opinions on Indian politics which ultimately ruined their relationship.
Author Bertil Falk, who penned the biography of Feroze Gandhi, ‘The Forgotten Gandhi’ mentioned in his writings that Indira never wanted Feroze to have a fair share in the decision-making process as Feroze never supported the Nehru-Gandhi politics and openly criticised their government which many times, became a cause of embarrassment for his father-in-law, Jawaharlal Nehru.
Political Contributions Of Feroze Gandhi
Feroze Gandhi, who was the husband of Indira Gandhi, was actively involved in politics. In the year 1930, he, along with Laal Bahadur Shastri was jailed when the British banned the INC. But, this could not deter young Feroze’s determination to do something for his motherland. Soon after his release, he continued working towards the struggle for India’s independence. Again, in 1932-1933, he faced imprisonment for his active participation in the no rent campaign in Uttar Pradesh. Fast forward to 1942, Gandhi again was put to jail for his involvement in the Quit India Movement organised by Mahatma Gandhi!
After India became independent in 1947, Gandhi joined the parliamentary system and was the first member of the Nehru-Gandhi clan to join Indian politics. Soon, Feroze won the provincial elections from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh in the year 1952. Followed by his win, in the year 1956, Gandhi introduced a private member’s bill into Parliament. This anti-corruption leader believed that the common public had the right to know what is happening inside the system.
Thus, this bill finally gave rights to the media to record and telecast the day-to-day functioning of the Parliament. Again in 1957, Feroze was elected as a member of the Parliament. This time, Gandhi exposed the LIC scam in the Lok Sabha and demanded an inquiry into the same. This ultimately led to the resignation of the then finance minister, TT Krishnamachari.
Gandhi had always fought against corruption. It was Gandhi who stood against his wife and father-in-law when banning the Communist party in Kerala. He knew for a fact that all of this was the orders of Indira. Though he voiced his opinions both at home and outside, no fruitful results were recorded. Gradually, the relationship between the husband and the wife worsened and this had a negative impact on both the children, Sanjay and Rajiv who also later joined Indian politics.
Also Read- Contribution Of Rajiv Gandhi To Information Technology And Modernization Of India
Conclusion – How Feroze Gandhi Died?
While the relationship between Feroze Gandhi and Indira Gandhi started to deteriorate, Feroze Gandhi started neglecting his health and that’s unfortunately how Feroze Gandhi died. In 1960, Gandhi left for eternity after suffering a heart attack. He was later cremated following Parsi rules and his ashes were buried in the Parsi cemetery at Allahabad.
For more related articles, Visit Discover
