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. (They are now called Hindu-Arabic numerals)

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

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Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters
Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru 
Letters from a Father to his Daughter 
Nehru ke patra Indira ko
Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 23 भाषा, लिखावट, और गिनती 
अध्याय २३ भाषा, लिखावट, और गिनती 
Lesson 23  Language, Writing, and Numerals

 

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.

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Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru 
Letters from a Father to his Daughter 
Nehru ke patra Indira ko
Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 22  समुद्री सफ़र और व्यापारसारांश 
अध्याय २२ समुद्री सफ़र और व्यापार 
Lesson 22  Sea Voyages and Trade

 

In this letter, Jawaharlal Nehru discusses the early civilizations of China and India. He explains that around the same time as the rise of civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt, advanced cultures were also developing in China and India. In China, Mongolian settlers thrived along river valleys, creating beautiful bronze vessels and constructing canals and buildings. They developed a unique form of picture-based writing, which remains in use today, unlike similar ancient scripts from Egypt and Babylon.

Nehru also mentions India's early civilization, predating the Aryan arrival, and highlights the Dravidians, who had a rich culture and traded goods like rice, spices, teak wood, and gold with Mesopotamia and Egypt. Trade, Nehru notes, is a hallmark of civilization.

Both China and India were originally composed of small city-states, many of which functioned as republics with elected governments rather than kings. In China, these states eventually unified into an empire, during which the Great Wall was built to protect against invasions. Nehru emphasizes the enormous scale of the Great Wall and its lasting presence as a symbol of Chinese strength and resilience.

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Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters
Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru 
Letters from a Father to his Daughter 
Nehru ke patra Indira ko
Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 21  चीन और हिन्दुस्तान  सारांश 
अध्याय २१  चीन और हिन्दुस्तान 
Lesson 21 China and India

 

In this letter, Nehru explains about ancient civilizations in Egypt and Crete, focusing on their culture, architecture, and beliefs.

He begins by describing the impressive structures in Egypt, such as the pyramids and the Sphinx. The pyramids were tombs for the Pharaohs, who were buried with treasures for their afterlife. Nehru mentions the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb and the mummies, preserved bodies of the Pharaohs. He also highlights the advanced engineering skills of the Egyptians, who built canals and lakes for irrigation.

Then he writes about Crete, an island in the Mediterranean, and talks about its ancient civilization. He describes the palace at Knossos, which had advanced features like water pipes and beautiful artwork. He also mentions myths associated with Crete, such as the story of King Minos and the Minotaur, a creature that supposedly received human sacrifices. He uses these stories to explain how early religion and human sacrifices often stemmed from fear and ignorance.

In the end, Nehru expresses relief that such sacrifices are mostly a thing of the past, although animal sacrifices still occur in some places. He emphasizes that worshipping through such violence is a strange way to show devotion.

Tags Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru Letters from a Father to his Daughter Nehru ke patra Indira ko Nehru’s Letters to Indira पाठ 20 "मिश्र और क्रीट" सारांश अध्याय २० मिश्र और क्रीट Lesson 20 Egypt and Crete Summary

 

In this letter Jawaharlal Nehru explains how ancient civilizations often developed along the banks of rivers, where water and fertile land were abundant. He mentions famous old cities like Babylon, Nineveh, and Assur in Mesopotamia, which no longer exist, having been buried under layers of sand and dust over thousands of years. Nehru describes how these cities became deserted, were covered by sand, and forgotten, only to have new cities built over them. He reflects on the cyclical nature of history, where cities rise, flourish, and eventually fall into ruin, with new cities taking their place. 

He contrasts this with the city of Damascus in Syria, which is still thriving and possibly the oldest city in the world. Nehru also mentions ancient Indian cities like Indraprastha, near Delhi, which no longer exists, and Kashi (Benares), which is still one of the oldest surviving cities. He notes that many great Indian cities, like those in China, were also built along rivers.

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Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters
Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru 
Letters from a Father to his Daughter 
Nehru ke patra Indira ko
Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 19  पुरानी दुनिया के बड़े-बड़े शहर 
अध्याय १९  पुरानी दुनिया के बड़े-बड़े शहर 
Lesson 19  The Great Cities Of The Ancient World

 

In this letter, Jawaharlal Nehru shifts focus from discussing patriarchs and kings to exploring early civilizations and the people who lived during those times. He mentions that, although we know more about these early civilizations than about the prehistoric Palaeolithic and Neolithic man, our knowledge is still limited. However, the ruins of ancient buildings, temples, and palaces provide insights into the lives, customs, and cultures of those early people.

Nehru discusses the concept of ancient civilizations, including the speculative idea of Atlantis, a highly advanced society supposedly swallowed by the Atlantic Ocean. While there is no evidence to support this, he acknowledges the possibility of early civilizations in the Americas, referencing ancient ruins in Mexico (Yukatan) and Peru.

He then turns to early civilizations in Eurasia, particularly Mesopotamia, Egypt, Crete, India, and China. Nehru emphasizes the importance of water in the establishment of these civilizations, noting that early settlers chose to live near rivers, which provided the necessary water for agriculture. Rivers like the Tigris, Euphrates, Nile, Ganges, and Jumna were crucial for food production, leading people to revere them as sacred and holy. Nehru underscores that the worship of rivers like the Nile and Ganges stemmed from their essential role in sustaining life, though people often forget the practical reasons behind such reverence.

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Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters
Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru 
Letters from a Father to his Daughter 
Nehru ke patra Indira ko
Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 18  शुरू का रहन-सहन 
अध्याय १८  शुरू का रहन-सहन
Lesson 18  The Early Civilizations

 

In this letter, Nehru explains how patriarchs evolved into kings. He describes patriarchs as the leaders or "fathers" of their tribes, with their authority often passed down from father to son, eventually leading to the emergence of kings. 

Over time, these kings began to believe they owned everything in their country and ruled with absolute power, forgetting their role as servants of the people. Nehru mentions the concept of the "divine right of kings," where rulers claimed that their authority came from God. He highlights historical revolutions in England, France, and Russia where people overthrew their kings due to their oppressive rule.

Nehru contrasts countries that have abolished kings and become republics, where leaders are elected by the people, with places like India, where Rajas and Maharajas still exist. These Indian rulers, he says, continue to live in luxury by taxing the people, much like the old kings, and neglect the needs of their subjects. Nehru stresses that these leaders misuse public funds for their own pleasure, leaving their people to suffer without basic necessities like schools and hospitals.

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Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters
Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru 
Letters from a Father to his Daughter 
Nehru ke patra Indira ko
Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 17  सरग़ना राजा हो गया  
अध्याय १७ सरग़ना राजा हो गया
Lesson 17  The Patriarch Becomes a King

 

In this letter, Jawaharlal Nehru explains to his daughter the evolution of ownership and leadership within early human tribes. Initially, everything in the tribe was shared among all members, including the leader, or patriarch. The patriarch was primarily an organizer, with no special ownership of the tribe's goods. However, as the patriarch's power grew, he began to see the tribe's property as his own. Over time, leadership became hereditary, passed from one family member to another, and the idea of personal ownership emerged. This shift led to the division of society into rich and poor, as the patriarch's family began to claim more for themselves. Nehru concludes by indicating that he will continue discussing this topic in his next letter.

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Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters
Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru 
Letters from a Father to his Daughter 
Nehru ke patra Indira ko
Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 16  सरग़ना का इख़्तियार कैसे बढ़ा  
अध्याय १६ सरग़ना का इख़्तियार कैसे बढ़ा  
Lesson 16 The Patriarch - How He Developed

 

In this letter titled "The Patriarch—How He Began," Jawaharlal Nehru explains to his daughter, Indira, the origins of kings and leadership within early societies. He begins by acknowledging the complexity of life and how it contrasts with simpler times. Nehru explains that as tribes formed and agriculture emerged, there was a need for someone to organize work and lead the tribe, especially during battles. This leader was often the oldest and most experienced member, known as the patriarch.

Initially, the patriarch was similar to the other tribe members, sharing in the work and resources. However, as society became more complex, especially due to agriculture, the patriarch took on more organizational responsibilities, gradually distancing himself from manual labor. Over time, this led to a division of labor, with the patriarch and other organizers gaining power over ordinary workers. This marked the beginning of social hierarchies and the evolution of leadership, eventually leading to the concept of kingship.

Nehru promises to delve deeper into the development of the patriarch in his next letter.

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Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters
Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru 
Letters from a Father to his Daughter 
Nehru ke patra Indira ko
Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 15   ख़ानदान का सरग़ना कैसे बना  
Lesson 15  Summary - The Patriarch - How He Began