Nehru pauses and reflects on what he has written so far-- the vast history of the Earth and human existence-- and he marvels at how life slowly evolved over millions of years. He reminds his daughter, Indira, of the enormity of time, explaining that human life is just a small blip in the long history of the planet. Nehru emphasizes how insignificant day-to-day worries seem when compared to the vastness of Earth's timeline.

He recounts the early history of the Earth, from its formation as part of the sun, to the emergence of life, and eventually the rise of humans. Nehru encourages Indira to think about how humans started as weak creatures but eventually grew to dominate the world. He ends by noting that while they’ve covered millions of years in their previous letters, the real growth of civilization happened in the last few thousand years, a period they will explore further.

Nehru advises his daughter to ponder what they've already discussed and suggests that this long view of history will help her put small problems into perspective. 

In this letter, Jawaharlal Nehru explains the societal structure that emerged over time, focusing on the roles of peasants, kings, and priests. He highlights how peasants and laborers, though crucial for food production, were marginalized and received very little for their efforts, while kings and landlords, who held power, took a large share of their produce.

Nehru then explores the origins of religion, pointing out that early humans, out of fear and ignorance, created gods to explain the unknown. Temples were built for these gods, and people used images of animals or half-human creatures, often ugly and frightening, to represent them. This reflected their belief that gods were powerful and to be feared.

The priests, being more educated and literate than others, gained significant influence. They not only performed religious duties but also became advisers to kings, doctors, and the keepers of knowledge. People considered them magicians because of their tricks and knowledge, and they relied on them in times of trouble. Though the priests often misled the people, they also helped them progress.
Nehru concludes by noting that, in some societies, priests initially governed before kings took over, as kings were better fighters. In some places, like Egypt, kings (Pharaohs) were considered both rulers and gods.

In this letter, Jawaharlal Nehru explains the importance of studying history not just as a series of battles and the lives of kings but as a way to understand how people lived, thought, and faced challenges. He emphasizes that learning from the past can help us in the present.Nehru then shifts to discussing the social classes that existed in ancient times. He explains how, as societies developed, people began doing different types of work, leading to a division of labor. 

This division gave rise to different classes, such as the ruling class, priests, merchants, artisans, and peasants. He highlights that the ruling and managing classes gained more power and wealth, often at the expense of the working classes. Overall, Nehru shows how understanding the roles and lives of these various classes can help us understand society better and reflect on whether humanity has progressed or not.

Letter 23 | Language, Writing, and Numerals (In English) | Letters From a Father to His Daughter

In this letter, Nehru explores the origins and evolution of language, writing, and numerals. He begins by explaining how language may have started with simple cries of fear or warning, similar to the way animals communicate. Early humans likely developed basic words and labour cries when working together. Gradually, language evolved from single words to more complex sentences.

Nehru also touches on how, during early civilizations, language had already advanced, with songs and ballads being popular forms of communication. Bards and singers recited tales of heroism, reflecting society's focus on battle and bravery.

He discusses the origin of writing, which likely began as pictures representing objects. Over time, these pictures became simpler, leading to the development of alphabets. The invention of numerals was equally transformative, especially for business. Nehru explains the transition from Roman numerals to the more efficient "Arabic numerals," which were actually developed by Indians.

Overall, Nehru highlights the creativity and progress of early humans in developing systems of communication and counting.

 

In this letter, Nehru discusses the importance of sea voyages and trade in ancient times, focusing on the Phoenicians, an ancient people from the Mediterranean coast. He describes how early boats, likely simple hollowed tree trunks with oars and sails, were used for adventurous and often dangerous sea travel. These voyages, though perilous, were driven largely by the desire for trade and wealth.

Nehru then explains the evolution of trade, which began with simple bartering between tribes, where goods were exchanged directly, such as cows for grain. Later, gold and silver were used as a medium of exchange, simplifying trade. This development eventually led to the use of coins, further easing trade and commerce. He emphasizes the complex nature of modern trade, with goods traveling vast distances across countries, and contrasts this with the inefficiencies of sending Indian cotton to England for manufacturing and then importing the finished cloth back to India. Nehru advocates for using locally made products, like khadi, to support domestic industries and reduce dependence on foreign goods. In the end, Nehru reflects on the role of money, explaining that it is merely a tool for exchanging goods, and highlights the folly of those who hoard wealth without understanding its purpose.