The Life and Legacy of Purushottam Das Tandon
Purushottam Das Tandon (1 August 1882 โ 1 July 1962) was an Indian politician and freedom fighter.
Early Life And Education
Purushottam Das Tandon, an esteemed figure in the Indian independence movement, was born on August 1, 1882, in Allahabad, North-Western Provinces, British India, which is present-day Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. He hailed from a middle-class Khatri family and was deeply rooted in the cultural and intellectual milieu of his time. Tandon completed his education with a Master of Arts in History and a degree in Law from Muir Central College, Allahabad, in 1904. His academic pursuits were a prelude to a distinguished career in law and public service. In 1906, he began practicing law and joined the bar of the Allahabad High Court in 1908 as a junior to Tej Bahadur Sapru, a prominent jurist and statesman of that era. However, his legal practice was short-lived as he decided to give it up in 1921 to dedicate himself entirely to the cause of India’s freedom and social reform. This decision marked the beginning of his long and influential political journey, which would later earn him the title ‘Rajarshi’ and the prestigious Bharat Ratna award.
Career And Achievements
Purushottam Das Tandon, a prominent figure in the Indian freedom struggle, is best known for his staunch advocacy for Hindi as India’s official language and his opposition to the partition of India. He began his career in law and academia, practicing at the Allahabad High Court and teaching Hindi at Victoria College, Gwalior. His political journey was intertwined with key movements of the Indian freedom struggle, including the non-cooperation movement and the Salt Satyagraha, leading to multiple arrests alongside leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru. Tandon’s legislative career was equally distinguished. He served as the Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly for 13 years and was a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted India’s constitution. His electoral success continued with his election to the Lok Sabha in 1952 and the Rajya Sabha in 1956. Despite an unsuccessful bid for the presidency of the Indian National Congress in 1948, he won the position in the 1950 Nagpur session, although he soon resigned due to ideological differences with Nehru.
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For his unwavering commitment to public service and his role in shaping the nation, Tandon was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1961. His legacy continues to influence Indian politics and society, with institutions like the Rajarshi Tandon Mahila Mahavidyalaya commemorating his contributions. Tandon passed away on July 1, 1962, but his life remains a testament to the power of dedicated public service and the impact one individual can have on the course of a nation’s history.
Notable Events And Milestones
Purushottam Das Tandon legal career began in 1906, and by 1908 he was practicing at the High Court of Allahabad. His political journey started early as well, joining the Indian National Congress in 1899 and representing Allahabad at the 1906 All India Congress Committee session. Tandon’s commitment to the Indian independence movement was unwavering. He gave up his law practice in 1921 to dedicate himself to politics and was arrested for his participation in the noncooperation movement that same year and again during the Salt March in 1930. His efforts extended beyond politics; he was deeply involved in social reform, particularly in improving the working conditions of farmers. In 1918, he organized the Allahabad District Peasantsโ Committee and was instrumental in forming kisan sabhas (farmer assemblies) to support the independence movement.
His contributions to society were multifaceted. As an educationist, he worked as a Professor of Hindi at Victoria College, Gwalior, and as a social reformer, he was closely affiliated with the Radha Soami Satsang, reflecting his commitment to spiritual and ethical principles. Tandon’s adherence to ahimsa (non-violence) was evident in his personal renunciation of leather articles, aligning his lifestyle with his beliefs. Tandon’s political career saw him serve as the speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 1937 to 1950 and as a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted India’s constitution. His legislative work helped shape the legal and administrative framework of independent India. Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952 and the Rajya Sabha in 1956, Tandon retired from active politics shortly thereafter, but not before leaving a lasting legacy.
Awards And Honors
- In 1961, he received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award for his contribution to public affairs.
- He earned the title ‘Rajarshi’, which translates to ‘Royal Saint’ in Sanskrit, reflecting his virtuous and selfless nature.
- Tandon was also known as ‘UP Gandhi’ for his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle and his advocacy for Hindi as an official language of India.
Additional Resources
- A biographical film on Purushottam Das Tandon, detailing his contributions to India’s freedom struggle and his advocacy for peasants, is available from the Ministry of Information, Films Division.
- Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of Tandon’s life, including his political career, efforts in the Indian independence movement, and his role in promoting Hindi as an official language of India.
- For those interested in Tandon’s written works, “แนฌaแนแธana Nibandhฤvali” is a compilation of his essays, and he is also the author of “The Unforgettable Nehru,” which provides a biographical account of Jawaharlal Nehru.
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has resources on Tandon, which may include documentaries and other educational materials.
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