Chapter 19: COMMUNALISM RAMPANT

Nehru reflects on rising Hindu-Muslim tensions in the 1920s, worsened by religious disputes and British manipulation. He criticizes communal leaders for undermining national unity and laments the Congress’s struggle to stay above sectarian politics. Advocating a revolutionary political and social overhaul, he condemns communalism as a major obstacle to true independence.

Chapter 20: MUNICIPAL WORK
As chairman of the Allahabad Municipality, Nehru faced bureaucratic hurdles and government obstruction, which stifled reform. Frustrated by inefficiency, financial dependence, and political patronage, he resigned after two years, disillusioned by the limits of local governance under colonial rule.

 17: COCONADA AND M. MOHAMAD ALI

At the 1923 Congress session, Maulana Mohamad Ali’s speech criticized British-fueled communalism. He convinced Nehru to become Congress Secretary, and despite ideological differences, they worked well together. Nehru admired Ali’s intellect but disagreed with his religious rhetoric in politics. Ali later parted ways with Congress, which Nehru regretted. The chapter also covers the founding of the Hindustani Seva Dal and Nehru’s evolving activism, symbolized by his defiance at the Kumbh Mela.

18: MY FATHER AND GANDHIJI

In 1924, ideological tensions grew between Gandhi and Swarajists like Motilal Nehru. While Swarajists pushed for legislative opposition, Gandhi focused on grassroots reform. A dramatic Congress clash in Ahmedabad over Gandhi’s spinning-based membership proposal led to a walkout by Motilal. Despite frustrations, Nehru admired Gandhi’s moral authority, contrasting it with his father’s leadership style, highlighting the movement’s internal struggles and Gandhi’s enduring mass appeal.

 Chapter 15: DOUBT AND CONFLICT

Nehru grapples with political and personal uncertainty, questioning aspects of Gandhi’s program while remaining loyal. Disillusioned with both Swarajists and No-changers, he observes factionalism weakening Congress. Financially dependent on his father after quitting law, he chooses unpaid public service, struggling with constraints but staying committed to the cause.

Chapter 16: AN INTERLUDE AT NABHA

Arrested while observing the Sikh Akali protest in 1923, Nehru endures prison hardships, unfair trials, and fabricated charges. Though sentenced to two years, he is unexpectedly released and expelled. His ordeal exposes the oppressive rule in princely states and leaves him physically weakened by typhoid.

13: LUCKNOW DISTRICT GAOL
Nehru recounts his 1921 imprisonment, highlighting poor jail conditions and the resilience of political prisoners. Despite restrictions, inmates fostered solidarity through debates, teaching, and spinning. He admires the courage of young revolutionaries like Azad, emphasizing prison as both a site of suffering and a crucible for future leaders.

14: OUT AGAIN
Released in 1923, Nehru finds Congress weakened by factionalism. He critiques its lack of strategy, contrasting Gandhi’s boycott stance with alternatives from leaders like C.R. Das. Taking on municipal duties, he resists British co-optation, remaining committed to meaningful reform in India’s freedom struggle.

Audiobook | Chapters 11 & 12 | Jawaharlal Nehru's "Autobiography" | Narrated by Giribala Joshi

11. NINETEEN TWENTY-ONE AND FIRST IMPRISONMENT

In 1921, Gandhi united politics, religion, and agrarian unrest under non-violence, though "Swaraj" remained vaguely defined. Nehru immersed himself in the movement, thrilling in mass mobilization. His first imprisonment reflected growing resistance, but Gandhi’s suspension of the movement after Chauri Chaura led to disappointment and his own arrest.

12. NON-VIOLENCE AND THE DOCTRINE OF THE SWORD

Gandhi halted Non-Cooperation after Chauri Chaura, fearing violence would derail the struggle. While Congress saw non-violence as strategy, for Gandhi, it was principle. Nehru critiques his instinctive decisions but acknowledges their wisdom. Despite setbacks and imprisonment, Nehru remained committed to India’s independence.

 

CHAPTER 9: WANDERINGS AMONG THE KISANS 00:10

CHAPTER 10: NON-CO-OPERATION 19:06

Summaries of the chapters:

9. WANDERINGS AMONG THE KISANS
During the Non-Cooperation Movement, Nehru witnessed the hardships of rural peasants in Partabgarh and Rae Bareli. Engaging with kisans, he overcame his fear of public speaking and fostered unity against oppressive landlords. Despite brutal repression, the agrarian movement deepened his awareness of India’s socio-economic struggles.

10. NON-CO-OPERATION
In the early 1920s, agrarian unrest in Oudh coincided with the rising Non-Cooperation Movement. At the 1920 Calcutta Congress, Gandhi’s vision won over leaders like Motilal Nehru, mobilizing the masses. While critical of the Liberals’ collaboration with the British, Nehru admired Gandhi’s unifying leadership. Despite concerns over religion in politics, he recognized the movement’s role in reshaping national consciousness.

Audiobook | Chapters 7 & 8 | Jawaharlal Nehru's "Autobiography" | Narrated by Giribala Joshi

CHAPTER 7: THE COMING OF GANDHIJI: SATYAGRAHA AND AMRITSAR 00:10

CHAPTER 8: I AM EXTERNED AND THE CONSEQUENCES THEREOF 21:26

7. THE COMING OF GANDHIJI: SATYAGRAHA AND AMRITSAR
Post-World War I unrest, fueled by the Rowlatt Bills and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, set the stage for Gandhi’s rise. His Satyagraha movement inspired mass resistance, despite Nehru’s initial conflict with his father’s opposition. The Punjab atrocities radicalized moderates like Motilal Nehru, while Gandhi’s leadership united the Khilafat and nationalist movements, paving the way for the 1920 Non-Cooperation Movement.

8. I AM EXTERNED AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
Nehru’s political awareness deepened after being ordered to leave Mussoorie. In Allahabad, he witnessed peasant struggles led by Baba Ramachandra, exposing the brutal zamindari system. This experience shifted his focus from middle-class concerns to rural realities, shaping his commitment to socio-economic reforms alongside political freedom.

 

Chapter 5: BACK HOME AND WAR-TIME POLITICS
In 1912, India’s politics were subdued, and the Bankipore Congress felt more social than political. Nehru, initially drawn to law, found it uninspiring and distanced himself from the official class. The outbreak of World War I revived political activity, with the Home Rule Movement and Mrs. Besant’s internment energizing young nationalists. Even his father, a Moderate, grew more progressive, supporting the Congress-League scheme in 1916. By 1918, Nehru had broken from the Moderates, drawn to Gandhi’s methods and increasingly disillusioned with his legal career.

Chapter 6: MY WEDDING AND A HIMALAYAN ADVENTURE
After his 1916 wedding, Nehru traveled to Kashmir and embarked on a daring trek beyond Zoji-la Pass. He marveled at the stark beauty of the Himalayas and faced a near-fatal fall while attempting to reach Amarnath. Though forced to turn back, the journey left a lasting impact, igniting his lifelong fascination with the mountains as symbols of freedom and spiritual fulfillment.

Audiobook | Chapters 3 & 4 | Jawaharlal Nehru's "Autobiography" | Narrated by Giribala Joshi

 

Chapter 3: THEOSOPHY

In his early teens, Nehru enjoyed a privileged life at Anand Bhawan, filled with play and exploration. His father’s reformist stance clashed with orthodox traditions, reflecting broader social tensions. Briefly drawn to Theosophy under tutor F.T. Brooks and Annie Besant’s influence, Nehru’s interest in religion and philosophy faded after Brooks’ departure. Meanwhile, global events like the Russo-Japanese War stirred his early nationalist sentiments, shaping his intellectual and political awareness.

Chapter 4: HARROW AND CAMBRIDGE

At Harrow, Nehru struggled with homesickness but adapted, excelling academically while feeling like an outsider. His interest in politics and aviation set him apart, and encounters with anti-Semitism shaped his views on race and identity. At Cambridge, he studied Natural Sciences, engaged in political debates, and observed the rise of Indian Extremists like Tilak. Drawn to nationalism but lacking clear direction, he chose law over the Civil Service and returned to India in 1913.

Preface to the First Edition 0:45 Chapter 1: Descent From Kashmir 5:08 Chapter 2: Childhood 18:13

Jawaharlal Nehru’s Autobiography, first published as Toward Freedom, is a candid and introspective account of his personal journey, philosophical musings, and his participation and reaction to the important events during India's struggle for independence. Rich with historical and personal anecdotes, this book offers a better understanding of India along with the man who played an important role in its fight for independence and during its early years as a sovereign nation.

Letters from a Father to His Daughter (पिता के पत्र पुत्री के नाम) is a timeless collection of letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru (जवाहरलाल नेहरू) to his daughter, Indira Priyadarshini (later Gandhi). It was first published in 1929, and over the years, numerous reprints and editions have kept this work alive for new generations.

Written as educational essays on natural and human history, the letters were composed while Nehru was imprisoned in Allahabad, with Indira residing in Mussoorie. These letters reflect a father’s deep desire to nurture his daughter’s understanding of the world beyond the confines of formal education.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword To First Edition 0:54

1. The Book Of Nature 2:25

2. How Early History Was Written 7:33

3. The Making Of The Earth 13:08

4. The First Living Things 17:39

5. The Animals Appear 24:27

6. The Coming Of Man 29:16

7. The Early Men 35:53

8. How Different Races Were Formed 43:40

9. The Races And Languages Of Mankind 49:13

10. The Relationships Of Languages 55:19

11. What Is Civilization? 59:45

12. The Formation Of Tribes 1:03:00

13. How Religion Began And Division Of Labour 1:07:04

14 The Changes Brought About By Agriculture 1:11:44

15. The Patriarch—How He Began 1:15:32

16. The Patriarch—How He Developed 1:19:03

17. The Patriarch Becomes The King 1:22:42

18. The Early Civilizations 1:25:12

19. The Great Cities Of The Ancient World 1:31:21

20. Egypt And Crete 1:35:06

21. China And India 1:39:32

22. Sea Voyages And Trade 1:43:26

23. Language, Writing And Numerals 1:49:15

24. Different Classes Of People 2:19:28

25. Kings And Temples And Priests 1:56:43

26. A Look Back 2:01:26

27. Pictures Of Fossil Fishes 2:03:58

28. Fossils And Ruins 2:05:34

29. The Aryans Come To India 2:08:17

30. What Were The Aryans In India Like? 2:11:51

31. The Ramayana And The Mahabharata 2:16:03

This is the last letter of this series. In this brief letter, Nehru sheds light on the significance of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, two monumental epics from India's Epic Age that followed the Vedic period. He describes the geographical and cultural context of the Aryan civilization, noting that "Aryavarta" or "Indu-land" was shaped like a crescent moon, which was considered sacred.

Nehru explains that the Ramayana, written by Valmiki in Sanskrit and later adapted by Tulsidas, narrates the adventures of Rama, Sita, and their battle against Ravana. He suggests that the epic may symbolically represent the conflicts between Aryans and southern peoples.

The Mahabharata, a later and larger epic, recounts a great conflict among Aryans themselves and is revered not only for its narrative but also for the Bhagavad Gita it contains. Nehru highlights the enduring influence and significance of these texts, noting that they continue to be integral to Indian culture and knowledge.

Letter 30 | What Were the Aryans in India Like? (In English)| Letters from a Father to his Daughter

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.

Letter 29 | Aryans Come to India (In English) | Letters from a Father to his Daughter

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 Prayagaraj.