Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant was born on September 10, 1887 at Almora in
Uttarkhand.
He studied at Ramsay College, Almora and passed his intermediate
examinations in 1905. He obtained his Bachelors in Arts in 1908 and Bachelors
in Law in 1910 from Allahabad University.
He enrolled as an Advocate and practised at the Local Courts of Almora
and Kashipur (1910 – 1914) where he appeared for peasants, labourers and
freedom fighters. He gave up his lucrative legal practice and was President of Kashipur
Prem Sabha (1914 – 1916) and Kumoan Parishad (1916 – 1920).
He served successively as Member of United Provinces Legislative
Assembly (1921 – 1923), United Provinces Legislative Council (1923 – 1928), Chairman
Nainital District Board (1928 – 1934) and Member of Central Legislative
Assembly (1934 – 1937).
He was Prime Minister of United Provinces (1937 – 1939). He resigned
from government and participated in the Satyagraha movement for which he was
imprisoned by the British Raj (1939 – 1946).
He was Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1946 – 1954). He was Union Minister
without Portfolio (1954 – 1955) and Home Affairs (1955 – 1961).
He died on March 07, 1961 at New Delhi while in office aged 73 years.
Independence Activist
He joined the Indian National Congress under the influence of Mahatma
Gandhi and actively participated in the Civil disobedience Movement, Non
Cooperation Movement, Satyagraha and Quit India Movements for which he was
imprisoned by the British Raj.
He was President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress and presided the Aligarh
session in 1926.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
He was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh twice and abolished the
Zamindari system and introduced Land, Forests and Revenue reforms which
benefited the peasants and labourers. He introduced compulsory and free school
education for children. He introduced measures for promotion of trade economic
activities and Industrial development. He
abolished untouchability ad promoted communal harmony and introduced prohibition.
He gave women the rights of divorce and inheritance to ancestral properties.
Union Minister for Home Affairs
He oversaw the reorganization of States of India based on linguistic basis.
The concept of Official Languages was introduced during his tenure.
Awards
The Government of India conferred the Bharat Ratna on him in 1958 for
his exemplary services to the nation.
Publications
Govind Ballabh Pant: His Life and Times, M Chalapathi Rau (1981)
Govind Ballabh Pant: Life and Contributions to Indian Politics (1987)
Resources
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