Dr. Rajendra Prasad was a conspicuous leader of the Indian National movement and the first President of the Republic of India. He gave up his professional career in law to side with the Indian freedom movement. An adherent to Mahatma Gandhi, he took part in the Salt Satyagraha , Non-cooperation movement, and served as a leader in Bihar and Maharashtra.
He has also worked as a political activist, journalist, and scholar at different points of time.
He was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly in 1947 and the President of India in 1950, post-India becoming a republic. His contributions to the freedom struggle and framing the constitution of India are apparent and inextirpable.
This is an important topic for aspirants preparing for UPSC IAS Exam to learn about Indian Independence movement.
Candidates preparing for SSC, State PCS, and other central government exams can also go through this article.
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Early Life
- Rajendra Prasad was born in the Siwan district of Bihar to Mahadev Sahai Srivastava and Kamleshvari Devi. His father was a scholar of Persian and Sanskrit languages.
- He completed his elementary education at the Chapra district school in Pune. After getting married to Rajavanshi Devi in 1886, he went to T.K. Ghosh’s Academy in Patna.
- He joined the Presidency College in Calcutta with a scholarship of Rs.30. A meritorious student and enthusiastic learner, he completed his first division and M.A in Economics from the University of Calcutta.
- Meanwhile, he grew as a public activist and became a member of the Dawn Society, established by Satish Chandra Mukherjee. In 1906, he was involved in the formation of the Bihari Students Conference, an organisation that prepares students for the Freedom struggle. Prominent members of the Champaran and Non- Cooperation movements like Anurag Narayan Sinha and Krishna Singh were also the members of this organisation.
- He also worked as a teacher and a lawyer in Calcutta and gained a doctorate from Allahabad University.
Contribution to the Indian Freedom Struggle
- Rajendra Prasad initially worked as a volunteer for the annual session of Congress in Calcutta. Later, he joined the Indian National Congress in 1911.
- He gave up his lucrative career in law, after he met Mahatma Gandhi in the Lucknow session of Congress in 1916. Deeply moved by his ideals and conviction, he became a part of the Champaran movement. As soon as Congress passed the motion on the Non-Cooperation movement, he got fully involved in the Nationalist movement.
- As instructed by Mahatma Gandhi to boycott Western Education set up, he asked his son to quit Western Education and enrol in Bihar Vidyapeeth, where they followed the traditional Indian curriculum.
- He stepped into the field of journalism as a writer who wrote on national interests. He penned articles for publications that were revolutionary in character, including “Searchlight” And “Desh”. He indeed collected funds for these newspapers. His strong conviction in the ideas of the freedom movement was explained, taught, and emphasised by different sections of people.
- He got actively involved in social service during an earthquake in Bihar in 1934 and the 1935 Quetta earthquake. Under his presidency, he set up the Bihar Central Relief Committee on 17 January, 1934 and Quetta Central Relief Committee in Sindh to carry out relief activities.
President of Indian National Congress
- He was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress in the Bombay session of Congress in 1937, following the resignation of Subhash Chandra Bose. Under his Presidency, Congress passed the Quit India resolution on August 8, 1942. Consequently,Rajendra Prasad was arrested and sent to Bankipur Central Jail, where he spent the next three years. He was released in 1945.
- Rajendra Prasad became the minister of the Food and Agricultural department in the interim government formed by Jawaharlal Nehru, to facilitate the transition of India from a British colony to an Independent republic. He believed in the maximisation of agricultural production and uttered the slogan “Grow more Food”.
- He was elected the President of the Constituent Assembly on December 11, 1946. His qualities of impartiality, patience, and objectivity in dealing with administrative matters were lauded by many. Succeeding this, he got elected as the Congress President for the third time on 17 November 1947.
Tenure as First President of India
- He was elected as the first President of the Indian republic on 26th January 1950.
- As the President of India, he acted in accordance with the principles of the Indian Constitution. He was unbiased and judicious. He travelled around the world, building diplomatic relations with foreign nations.
- He was re-elected as the President in 1952 and 1957. He is the only President in the history of India to accomplish this feat.
Later Contributions
- Rajendra Prasad retired from his service of 12 years as the President of India in 1962. He spent the rest of his life in Bihar. He was awarded the highest civilian honour of the country, Bharat Ratna, by the Indian Government, in 1962.
Writings
Rajendra Prasad was a skilled writer and wrote a number of works in English and Hindi. Apart from that, he was also well-versed in Persian, Urdu, and Sanskrit. The most important works of Rajendra Prasad are:
- Atmakadha, his autobiography published in 1946
- India divided, published in 1946
- Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar
- Some Reminiscences
Later Years
Rajendra Prasad passed away on February 28, 1963, at the age of 78.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rajendra Prasad
What is the role of Rajendra Prasad in the Indian Constitution?
In 1946, he was elected into the interim government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as the Minister of Food and Agriculture. Subsequently, he got elected as the President of the constituent assembly, which served as a provisional parliament.
What are the achievements of Dr. Rajendra Prasad?
Owing to his remarkable contributions during the nationalist movement and as the President of India, he was awarded the highest civilian honour of the country, Bharat Ratna, in 1962.
When was Rajendra Prasad elected as the first President of India?
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected the first President of the Republic of India on 26th January 1950.
When was Rajendra Prasad elected as the President of the Constituent assembly?
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected the president of the Constituent Assembly on 11 December 1946.
Which are the important works of Rajendra Prasad?
The important works of Rajendra Prasad are:
1. Atmakadha
2. India divided (1946)
3. Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar
4. Some Reminiscences
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