Purushottam Das Tandon also known as Rajarshi, who was one of the most well-liked activists of freedom movement of India, was born on August 1, 1882 in the city of Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. He was an Indian politician who was an important figure in the Indian National Congress in its early years. He was a fervent supporter for the use of Hindi as India’s national language. Tandon graduated from Muir Central College, Allahabad, in 1904 with a law degree and an M.A. in history. He began a legal career in 1906 and joined the High Court of Allahabad in 1908 under eminent jurist and political leader Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru. Tandon was briefly law minister of Nabha state, in Punjab, from 1914 to 1918.
In the year, 1918 Tandon structured the Allahabad District Peasants’ Committee in an effort to develop the working conditions of farmers. He used his ability to organize kisan sabhas (Hindi: “farmer assemblies”) to acquire support for the Indian independence movement. A member of the Congress Party from 1899, Tandon represented Allahabad at the 1906 All India Congress Committee session, and in 1921, he gave up his law practice to concentrate on politics. He was arrested for participation in the noncooperation movement in 1921 and in the Salt March in 1930. On a personal level, Tandon was closely associated with the abstruse religious sect Radha Soami Satsang but was ideologically opposed to any evident religious proliferation or change. His devotion to the concept of ahimsa (noninjury of living things) manifested itself in a renunciation of personal leather articles, mostly his sandals.
Purushottam Das Tandon worked in association with the Congress party and took part in several events to show his protests against the British rulers. He was dedicated to the well being of his country even after independence and thus, remained attached with politics after August 1947. However, his years within the folds of the Congress were not free of controversies, largely because of his deteriorating relationship with Jawaharlal Nehru after India's independence. He is best remembered for his contribution towards helping to make Hindi the official language of India and for his participation in party meetings held at the Lok Sabha in spite of the fact that he was the Speaker and was expected to remain neutral and impartial in his opinions and views.
Tandon’s later political career involved stints at numerous levels of Indian government. He served as speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly (1937–50) and was a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted India’s constitution. Tandon was elected to the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) in 1952 and to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) in 1956. That same year he retired from active politics. In the year, 1961 he was honoured with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, for his outstanding contribution to public affairs. On July 1st, 1962, Purushottam Das Tandon breathed his last.
Birth : August 1, 1882
Death : July 1st, 1962
Achievement: Received India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1962
In the year, 1918 Tandon structured the Allahabad District Peasants’ Committee in an effort to develop the working conditions of farmers. He used his ability to organize kisan sabhas (Hindi: “farmer assemblies”) to acquire support for the Indian independence movement. A member of the Congress Party from 1899, Tandon represented Allahabad at the 1906 All India Congress Committee session, and in 1921, he gave up his law practice to concentrate on politics. He was arrested for participation in the noncooperation movement in 1921 and in the Salt March in 1930. On a personal level, Tandon was closely associated with the abstruse religious sect Radha Soami Satsang but was ideologically opposed to any evident religious proliferation or change. His devotion to the concept of ahimsa (noninjury of living things) manifested itself in a renunciation of personal leather articles, mostly his sandals.
Purushottam Das Tandon worked in association with the Congress party and took part in several events to show his protests against the British rulers. He was dedicated to the well being of his country even after independence and thus, remained attached with politics after August 1947. However, his years within the folds of the Congress were not free of controversies, largely because of his deteriorating relationship with Jawaharlal Nehru after India's independence. He is best remembered for his contribution towards helping to make Hindi the official language of India and for his participation in party meetings held at the Lok Sabha in spite of the fact that he was the Speaker and was expected to remain neutral and impartial in his opinions and views.
Tandon’s later political career involved stints at numerous levels of Indian government. He served as speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly (1937–50) and was a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted India’s constitution. Tandon was elected to the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) in 1952 and to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) in 1956. That same year he retired from active politics. In the year, 1961 he was honoured with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, for his outstanding contribution to public affairs. On July 1st, 1962, Purushottam Das Tandon breathed his last.
Birth : August 1, 1882
Death : July 1st, 1962
Achievement: Received India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1962