In this letter, Nehru describes the Aryans who arrived in India thousands of years ago, likely in gradual waves, over hundreds of years. He imagines their migration as long caravans of people with all their possessions. These Aryans mostly came over the northwest mountains, and perhaps some by sea.

Nehru explores the Aryans' culture through their ancient texts, particularly the Vedas, which are among the oldest books in the world. Initially passed down orally, these texts reflect the wisdom of the rishis and munis of that time. The Aryans were knowledgeable, and their literature in Sanskrit is admired even today. The hymns of the Rig Veda, one of the oldest Vedas, reveal a joyful, adventurous people who worshipped their gods through songs.

The Aryans were proud of their race, loved freedom, and preferred death over dishonor or slavery. They were skilled in agriculture and science, valuing rivers and animals like cows and bulls for their contributions to farming and daily life. Over time, their reverence for the cow led to its worship, a practice that later lost its original significance.

Lastly, to preserve their identity, the Aryans made rules to prevent intermarriage with the native inhabitants. This gradually evolved into the caste system, which Nehru criticizes as absurd in its modern form but notes is diminishing in importance.

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Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru 
Letters from a Father to his Daughter 
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Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 30 हिन्दुस्तान के आर्य कैसे थे? 
अध्याय ३०  हिन्दुस्तान के आर्य कैसे थे?
Lesson 30  What Were the Aryans in India Like?

 

In this letter, Nehru describes the arrival of the Aryans in India and the resulting cultural changes. He explains that before the Aryans came, India had an ancient civilization, much like Egypt, and was inhabited by the Dravidians, whose descendants now live in South India.

The Aryans, a strong, nomadic people from Central Asia, migrated in large numbers due to a shortage of food. They spread to Persia, Greece, and eventually arrived in India, entering through the northwest near Kashmir. The Aryans gradually pushed the Dravidians south, with most of the Aryan settlement remaining in the northern regions like Afghanistan, Punjab, and later the Ganga and Jamuna plains, which they called "Aryavarta."

Nehru also mentions ancient Sanskrit texts like the Vedas, Puranas, and epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which provide insights into the Aryans' way of life and how they expanded across India. The Aryans primarily settled near rivers, establishing cities like Kashi (Benares) and Prayag.

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पाठ 29 आर्यों का हिन्दुस्तान में आना 
अध्याय २९  आर्यों का हिन्दुस्तान में आना 
Lesson 29  The Aryans Come to India

 

In these letters, Jawaharlal Nehru reflects on the vast history of the Earth and human existence, marveling 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.

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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.

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Nehru’s Letters to Indira
पाठ 25 राजा, मन्दिर और पुजारी 
अध्याय २५  राजा, मन्दिर और पुजारी  
Lesson 25  Kings and Temples and Priests

 

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.

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पाठ 24 आदमियों के अलग-अलग दरजे  
अध्याय २४  आदमियों के अलग-अलग दरजे  
Lesson 24  Different Classes of People

 

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