Laxmi Narayan Nehru: A Prominent Figure in the Indian Independence Movement

Laxmi Narayan Nehru (1869–1938) was a renowned Indian lawyer and politician who played a pivotal role in the Indian National Congress and the Indian independence movement. He was the father of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. This article delves into Laxmi Narayan Nehru's ancestry and the historical claims regarding a possible Muslim ancestor.

Family Lineage and Background

Originally from a Kashmiri Pandit family, Laxmi Narayan Nehru belonged to a lineage rooted in the Brahmin caste. His father was Gangadhar Nehru, and his grandfather was Raghunath Nehru. The family had a long history of involvement in government service, and during the colonial period, they moved to Delhi.

Historical Claims of a Muslim Ancestor

One of the more intriguing aspects of Laxmi Narayan Nehru's ancestry is the claim of a possible Muslim ancestor. This claim, although unsubstantiated in historical narratives, is worth exploring.

The Early Years of Gangadhar Nehru

During the early 19th century, Gangadhar's father, Lakshmi Narayan Nehru, worked as a scribe for the East India Company in Delhi. He later became the Kotwal, a rank similar to Chief of Police, in the court of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II. Gangadhar served in this capacity until the Indian Rebellion of 1857, an event that led to the abolition of the Kotwal post.

When the British troops began shelling Delhi, Gangadhar and his family fled to Agra. He was accompanied by his wife Jeorani and their four children: two teenage sons, Bansidhar and Nandlal, and two daughters, Patrani and Maharani. The daughters were later married into suitable Kashmiri Brahmin families.

Family Dynamics and Lineage

Gangadhar died in February 1861, and his youngest child, Motilal, was born posthumously three months later. Motilal would go on to become a distinguished lawyer and served as the Congress President twice, in 1919–1920 and 1928–1929. He had two children with his wife Kamala: Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamaladevi Nehru.

Bansi Dhar Nehru, the eldest son, worked for the British Government and was appointed to various judicial departments. Nandlal, the second son, served in the Indian State of Khetri as Diwan for ten years and later became a practicing lawyer in Agra after studying law.

Both the Nehru and Patel families, along with other prominent Indian families, share a rich heritage that spans over several centuries. While the family maintained its Hindu faith and rooted itself in the Kashmiri Brahmin caste, the historical narrative sometimes hints at possible interfaith marriages or associations.

Conclusion and Reflections

The Nehru family's lineage, though primarily rooted in the Kashmiri Brahmin community, presents an intriguing story of continuity and transformation. The potential Muslim ancestor, while a subject of historical interest, highlights the complex intermingling of communities during India's colonial period.

As descendants of diverse ancestry, the Nehru family exemplifies the rich tapestry of Indian identity, blending tradition and modernity in the pursuit of political and social progress.