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.