Amrit Kaur - Revision history

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	{{short description\|Indian politician (1889-1964)}}		{{short description\|Indian politician (1889-1964)}}
	{{About\|Amrit Kaur, the Indian activist and politician\|the Canadian actress\|Amrit Kaur (actress)}}		{{About\|Amrit Kaur, the Indian activist and politician\|the Canadian actress\|Amrit Kaur (actress)}}
	{{More citations needed\|date=July ~~2022~~}}		{{More citations needed\|date=July 2017}}
	{{EngvarB\|date=September ~~2022~~}}		{{EngvarB\|date=September 2014}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2018}}
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| honorific_prefix = Dame		\| honorific_prefix = Dame
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	After her return to India from England, Kaur became interested in the [[Indian independence movement]]. Her father had shared close association with [[Indian National Congress]] leaders including [[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]], who often visited them. Kaur was drawn to the thoughts and vision of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], whom she met in [[Bombay]] ([[Mumbai]]) in 1919. Kaur worked as Gandhi's secretary for 16 years, and their correspondence was subsequently published as a volume of letters titled 'Letters to Rajkumari Amrit Kaur'.<ref name=":0" />		After her return to India from England, Kaur became interested in the [[Indian independence movement]]. Her father had shared close association with [[Indian National Congress]] leaders including [[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]], who often visited them. Kaur was drawn to the thoughts and vision of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], whom she met in [[Bombay]] ([[Mumbai]]) in 1919. Kaur worked as Gandhi's secretary for 16 years, and their correspondence was subsequently published as a volume of letters titled 'Letters to Rajkumari Amrit Kaur'.<ref name=":0" />

	Following the [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre]] later that year, when the British forces shot and killed over 400 peaceful protestors in Amritsar, Punjab, Kaur became a strong critic of the British rule in India. She formally joined the Congress and began active participation in [[India's independence movement]] while also focusing on bringing about [[social reform]].<ref name="bhardwaj">{{cite web\|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-the-princess-who-was-gandhis-secretary-indias-first-health-minister/186245/\|website=The Print\|last=Bhardwaj\|first=Deeksha\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the princess who was Gandhi's secretary & India's first health minister\|access-date= 18 October 2019\|date=2 February ~~2022~~}}</ref> She was strongly opposed to the practice of [[purdah]] and to [[Child marriage in India\|child marriage]], and campaigned to abolish the [[devadasi]] system in India.<ref name=":1" />		Following the [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre]] later that year, when the British forces shot and killed over 400 peaceful protestors in Amritsar, Punjab, Kaur became a strong critic of the British rule in India. She formally joined the Congress and began active participation in [[India's independence movement]] while also focusing on bringing about [[social reform]].<ref name="bhardwaj">{{cite web\|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-the-princess-who-was-gandhis-secretary-indias-first-health-minister/186245/\|website=The Print\|last=Bhardwaj\|first=Deeksha\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the princess who was Gandhi's secretary & India's first health minister\|access-date= 18 October 2019\|date=2 February 2019}}</ref> She was strongly opposed to the practice of [[purdah]] and to [[Child marriage in India\|child marriage]], and campaigned to abolish the [[devadasi]] system in India.<ref name=":1" />

	Kaur co-founded the [[All India Women's Conference]] in 1927.<ref name="bhardwaj" /> She was later appointed its secretary in 1930, and president in 1933. She was imprisoned by the British authorities for her participation in the [[Dandi March]], led by Mahatama Gandhi in 1930. Kaur went to live at Gandhi's [[ashram]] in 1934 and adopted an austere lifestyle despite her aristocratic background.<ref name="bhardwaj" />		Kaur co-founded the [[All India Women's Conference]] in 1927.<ref name="bhardwaj" /> She was later appointed its secretary in 1930, and president in 1933. She was imprisoned by the British authorities for her participation in the [[Dandi March]], led by Mahatama Gandhi in 1930. Kaur went to live at Gandhi's [[ashram]] in 1934 and adopted an austere lifestyle despite her aristocratic background.<ref name="bhardwaj" />
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	[[File:Mahatma Gandhi with Rajkumari Amrit Kaur at Simla in 1945.jpg\|thumb\|Rajkumari with Mahatma Gandhi, Shimla 1945]]		[[File:Mahatma Gandhi with Rajkumari Amrit Kaur at Simla in 1945.jpg\|thumb\|Rajkumari with Mahatma Gandhi, Shimla 1945]]

	The British authorities appointed her as a member of the Advisory Board of Education, but she resigned from the position following her involvement with the [[Quit India Movement]] in 1942. She was imprisoned by the authorities for her actions during the time.<ref name="pib">{{cite web\|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/feacontent.aspx?relid=151084\|website=[[Press Information Bureau]]\|publisher=Ministry of Health and Family Affairs\|last=Srinivas\|first=V\|title=RajKumari Amrit Kaur\|access-date= 18 October 2019\|date=24 September ~~2022~~}}</ref>		The British authorities appointed her as a member of the Advisory Board of Education, but she resigned from the position following her involvement with the [[Quit India Movement]] in 1942. She was imprisoned by the authorities for her actions during the time.<ref name="pib">{{cite web\|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/feacontent.aspx?relid=151084\|website=[[Press Information Bureau]]\|publisher=Ministry of Health and Family Affairs\|last=Srinivas\|first=V\|title=RajKumari Amrit Kaur\|access-date= 18 October 2019\|date=24 September 2016}}</ref>

	She championed the cause of universal suffrage, and testified before the Lothian Committee on Indian franchise and constitutional reforms, and before the Joint Select Committee of British Parliament on Indian constitutional reforms.		She championed the cause of universal suffrage, and testified before the Lothian Committee on Indian franchise and constitutional reforms, and before the Joint Select Committee of British Parliament on Indian constitutional reforms.

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← Older revision		Revision as of 00:21, 3 November 2022
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	{{short description\|Indian politician (1889-1964)}}		{{short description\|Indian politician (1889-1964)}}
	{{About\|Amrit Kaur, the Indian activist and politician\|the Canadian actress\|Amrit Kaur (actress)}}		{{About\|Amrit Kaur, the Indian activist and politician\|the Canadian actress\|Amrit Kaur (actress)}}
	{{More citations needed\|date=July ~~2017~~}}		{{More citations needed\|date=July 2022}}
	{{EngvarB\|date=September ~~2014~~}}		{{EngvarB\|date=September 2022}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December ~~2018~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2022}}
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| honorific_prefix = Dame		\| honorific_prefix = Dame
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	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1887\|2\|2\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1887\|2\|2\|df=yes}}
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1964\|2\|6\|1889\|2\|2\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1964\|2\|6\|1889\|2\|2\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[Lucknow]], [[North-~~West~~ Provinces]], [[British India]] (present-day [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]])		\| birth_place = [[Lucknow]], [[North-Western Provinces]], [[British India]] (present-day [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]])
	\| death_place = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]		\| death_place = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
	\| alma_mater =		\| alma_mater =
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	==Life==		==Life==

	Amrit Kaur was born on 2 February 1887 in [[Lucknow\|Badshah Bagh, Lucknow University Campus, Lucknow]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] (then ~~United~~ Provinces), India. Kaur was born to [[Harnam Singh\|Raja Sir Harnam Singh Ahluwalia]] the younger son of the Raja [[Randhir Singh of Kapurthala]]. Harnam Singh left [[Kapurthala]] following a conflict over succession to the throne, becoming the manager of estates in the former princely state of [[Oudh State\|Oudh]], and converted to Christianity on the urging of Golakhnath Chatterjee, a missionary from Bengal, Singh later married Chatterjee's daughter, Priscilla, and they had ten children, of which Amrit Kaur was the youngest, and their only daughter.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web\|last=Roychowdhury\|first=Adrija\|date=2018-01-24\|title=Amrit Kaur: The princess turned Gandhian who fought Nehru on women's political participation\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/gender/amrit-kaur-the-princess-turned-gandhian-who-fought-nehru-on-womens-political-participation-5037044/\|access-date=2020-08-30\|website=The Indian Express\|language=en}}</ref>		Amrit Kaur was born on 2 February 1887 in [[Lucknow\|Badshah Bagh, Lucknow University Campus, Lucknow]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] (then North-Western Provinces), India. Kaur was born to [[Harnam Singh\|Raja Sir Harnam Singh Ahluwalia]] the younger son of the Raja [[Randhir Singh of Kapurthala]]. Harnam Singh left [[Kapurthala]] following a conflict over succession to the throne, becoming the manager of estates in the former princely state of [[Oudh State\|Oudh]], and converted to Christianity on the urging of Golakhnath Chatterjee, a missionary from Bengal, Singh later married Chatterjee's daughter, Priscilla, and they had ten children, of which Amrit Kaur was the youngest, and their only daughter.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web\|last=Roychowdhury\|first=Adrija\|date=2018-01-24\|title=Amrit Kaur: The princess turned Gandhian who fought Nehru on women's political participation\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/gender/amrit-kaur-the-princess-turned-gandhian-who-fought-nehru-on-womens-political-participation-5037044/\|access-date=2020-08-30\|website=The Indian Express\|language=en}}</ref>

	Kaur was raised as a [[Protestant Christian]], and had her early education in [[Sherborne School For Girls]] in Dorset, England, and had her college education at [[Oxford University]]. After completing her education in England, she returned to India in 1918.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news\|date=1964-02-07\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, 75, Dies; India's First Minister of Health; Gandhi's Secretary 17 Years, a Princess, Led Campaign to Eradicate Malaria\|language=en-US\|work=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/07/archives/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-75-dies-indias-first-minister-of-health.html\|access-date=2020-08-30\|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>		Kaur was raised as a [[Protestant Christian]], and had her early education in [[Sherborne School For Girls]] in Dorset, England, and had her college education at [[Oxford University]]. After completing her education in England, she returned to India in 1918.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news\|date=1964-02-07\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, 75, Dies; India's First Minister of Health; Gandhi's Secretary 17 Years, a Princess, Led Campaign to Eradicate Malaria\|language=en-US\|work=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/07/archives/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-75-dies-indias-first-minister-of-health.html\|access-date=2020-08-30\|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
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	===Participation in India's Independence Movement===		===Participation in India's Independence Movement===
			[[File:Amrit_kaur_sahiba.jpg\|thumb\|c. 1933]]
	After her return to India from England, Kaur became interested in the [[Indian independence movement]]. Her father had shared close association with [[Indian National Congress]] leaders including [[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]], who often visited them. Kaur was drawn to the thoughts and vision of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], whom she met in [[Bombay]] ([[Mumbai]]) in 1919. Kaur worked as Gandhi's secretary for 16 years, and their correspondence was subsequently published as a volume of letters titled 'Letters to Rajkumari Amrit Kaur'.<ref name=":0" />		After her return to India from England, Kaur became interested in the [[Indian independence movement]]. Her father had shared close association with [[Indian National Congress]] leaders including [[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]], who often visited them. Kaur was drawn to the thoughts and vision of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], whom she met in [[Bombay]] ([[Mumbai]]) in 1919. Kaur worked as Gandhi's secretary for 16 years, and their correspondence was subsequently published as a volume of letters titled 'Letters to Rajkumari Amrit Kaur'.<ref name=":0" />

	Following the [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre]] later that year, when the British forces shot and killed over 400 peaceful protestors in Amritsar, Punjab, Kaur became a strong critic of the British rule in India. She formally joined the Congress and began active participation in [[India's independence movement]] while also focusing on bringing about [[social reform]].<ref name="bhardwaj">{{cite web\|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-the-princess-who-was-gandhis-secretary-indias-first-health-minister/186245/\|website=The Print\|last=Bhardwaj\|first=Deeksha\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the princess who was Gandhi's secretary & India's first health minister\|access-date= 18 October 2019\|date=2 February ~~2019~~}}</ref> She was strongly opposed to the practice of [[purdah]] and to [[Child marriage in India\|child marriage]], and campaigned to abolish the [[devadasi]] system in India.<ref name=":1" />		Following the [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre]] later that year, when the British forces shot and killed over 400 peaceful protestors in Amritsar, Punjab, Kaur became a strong critic of the British rule in India. She formally joined the Congress and began active participation in [[India's independence movement]] while also focusing on bringing about [[social reform]].<ref name="bhardwaj">{{cite web\|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-the-princess-who-was-gandhis-secretary-indias-first-health-minister/186245/\|website=The Print\|last=Bhardwaj\|first=Deeksha\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the princess who was Gandhi's secretary & India's first health minister\|access-date= 18 October 2019\|date=2 February 2022}}</ref> She was strongly opposed to the practice of [[purdah]] and to [[Child marriage in India\|child marriage]], and campaigned to abolish the [[devadasi]] system in India.<ref name=":1" />

	Kaur co-founded the [[All India Women's Conference]] in 1927.<ref name="bhardwaj" /> She was later appointed its secretary in 1930, and president in 1933. She was imprisoned by the British authorities for her participation in the [[Dandi March]], led by Mahatama Gandhi in 1930. Kaur went to live at Gandhi's [[ashram]] in 1934 and adopted an austere lifestyle despite her aristocratic background.<ref name="bhardwaj" />		Kaur co-founded the [[All India Women's Conference]] in 1927.<ref name="bhardwaj" /> She was later appointed its secretary in 1930, and president in 1933. She was imprisoned by the British authorities for her participation in the [[Dandi March]], led by Mahatama Gandhi in 1930. Kaur went to live at Gandhi's [[ashram]] in 1934 and adopted an austere lifestyle despite her aristocratic background.<ref name="bhardwaj" />
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	[[File:Mahatma Gandhi with Rajkumari Amrit Kaur at Simla in 1945.jpg\|thumb\|Rajkumari with Mahatma Gandhi, Shimla 1945]]		[[File:Mahatma Gandhi with Rajkumari Amrit Kaur at Simla in 1945.jpg\|thumb\|Rajkumari with Mahatma Gandhi, Shimla 1945]]

	The British authorities appointed her as a member of the Advisory Board of Education, but she resigned from the position following her involvement with the [[Quit India Movement]] in 1942. She was imprisoned by the authorities for her actions during the time.<ref name="pib">{{cite web\|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/feacontent.aspx?relid=151084\|website=[[Press Information Bureau]]\|publisher=Ministry of Health and Family Affairs\|last=Srinivas\|first=V\|title=RajKumari Amrit Kaur\|access-date= 18 October 2019\|date=24 September ~~2016~~}}</ref>		The British authorities appointed her as a member of the Advisory Board of Education, but she resigned from the position following her involvement with the [[Quit India Movement]] in 1942. She was imprisoned by the authorities for her actions during the time.<ref name="pib">{{cite web\|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/feacontent.aspx?relid=151084\|website=[[Press Information Bureau]]\|publisher=Ministry of Health and Family Affairs\|last=Srinivas\|first=V\|title=RajKumari Amrit Kaur\|access-date= 18 October 2019\|date=24 September 2022}}</ref>

	She championed the cause of universal suffrage, and testified before the Lothian Committee on Indian franchise and constitutional reforms, and before the Joint Select Committee of British Parliament on Indian constitutional reforms.		She championed the cause of universal suffrage, and testified before the Lothian Committee on Indian franchise and constitutional reforms, and before the Joint Select Committee of British Parliament on Indian constitutional reforms.
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	=== Health Minister ===		=== Health Minister ===
	After India's independence, Amrit Kaur became part of [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]'s first [[Cabinet of India\|Cabinet]]; she was the first woman to hold Cabinet rank, serving for ten years. She was assigned the [[Ministry of Health (India)\|Ministry of Health]].<ref name="bhardwaj" /> In 1950, she was elected the president of [[World Health Assembly]].<ref name=":0" /> As Health Minister, Kaur led a major campaign to fight the spread of [[malaria]] in India.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> She also led the campaign to eradicate tuberculosis and was the driving force behind the largest B.C.G vaccination programme in the world.		After India's independence, Amrit Kaur became part of [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]'s first [[Cabinet of India\|Cabinet]]; she was the first woman to hold Cabinet rank, serving for ten years. In January 1949, she was appointed a [[Dame]] of the [[Order of Saint John (chartered 1888)\|Order of Saint John]] (DStJ).<ref>{{cite web \|title=Page 81 {{!}} Issue 38503, 4 January 1949 {{!}} London Gazette {{!}} The Gazette \|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38503/page/81 \|website=www.thegazette.co.uk}}</ref> She was assigned the [[Ministry of Health (India)\|Ministry of Health]].<ref name="bhardwaj" /> In 1950, she was elected the president of [[World Health Assembly]].<ref name=":0" /> As Health Minister, Kaur led a major campaign to fight the spread of [[malaria]] in India.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> She also led the campaign to eradicate tuberculosis and was the driving force behind the largest B.C.G vaccination programme in the world.

	As the health minister, Kaur played an instrumental role in establishment of the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]] (AIIMS) in [[New Delhi]], and became its first president. Kaur introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha for the establishment of AIIMS in 1956, following a recommendation made after the Government of India conducted a national health survey. Kaur was instrumental in raising funds for the establishment of AIIMS, securing aid from [[New Zealand]], Australia, [[West Germany]], [[Sweden]], and the [[United States]]. She and one of her brothers donated their ancestral property and house (named ''Manorville'') in [[Shimla\|Simla]], Himachal Pradesh to serve as a holiday home for the staff and nurses of the Institute <ref name=":0">{{Cite web\|last=Roychowdhury\|first=Adrija\|date=2020-08-27\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur: The princess who built AIIMS\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-the-princess-who-built-aiims-6570937/\|access-date=2020-08-30\|website=The Indian Express\|language=en}}</ref>		As the health minister, Kaur played an instrumental role in establishment of the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]] (AIIMS) in [[New Delhi]], and became its first president. Kaur introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha for the establishment of AIIMS in 1956, following a recommendation made after the Government of India conducted a national health survey. Kaur was instrumental in raising funds for the establishment of AIIMS, securing aid from [[New Zealand]], Australia, [[West Germany]], [[Sweden]], and the [[United States]]. She and one of her brothers donated their ancestral property and house (named ''Manorville'') in [[Shimla\|Simla]], Himachal Pradesh to serve as a holiday home for the staff and nurses of the Institute <ref name=":0">{{Cite web\|last=Roychowdhury\|first=Adrija\|date=2020-08-27\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur: The princess who built AIIMS\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-the-princess-who-built-aiims-6570937/\|access-date=2020-08-30\|website=The Indian Express\|language=en}}</ref>
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	{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaur, Rajkumari Amrit}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaur, Rajkumari Amrit}}
	[[Category:First Nehru ministry]]		[[Category:First Nehru ministry]]
	[[Category:~~1889~~ births]]		[[Category:1880s births]]
	[[Category:1964 deaths]]		[[Category:1964 deaths]]
	[[Category:Politicians from Lucknow]]		[[Category:Politicians from Lucknow]]
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	[[Category:Dames of the Order of St John]]		[[Category:Dames of the Order of St John]]
	[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Punjab, India]]		[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Punjab, India]]
	[[Category:~~1st Lok Sabha members~~]]		[[Category:India MPs 1952–1957]]
	[[Category:Members of the Constituent Assembly of India]]		[[Category:Members of the Constituent Assembly of India]]
	[[Category:People educated at Sherborne Girls]]		[[Category:People educated at Sherborne Girls]]
	~~[[Category:People of British India]]~~
	[[Category:Gandhians]]		[[Category:Gandhians]]
			[[Category:Expatriates of British India in the United Kingdom]]
	[[Category:Women in war 1900–1945]]		[[Category:Women in war 1900–1945]]
	[[Category:Health ministers of India]]		[[Category:Health ministers of India]]

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2022-06-27T05:54:13Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 11:24, 27 June 2022
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	{{short description\|Indian politician (1889-1964)}}		{{short description\|Indian politician (1889-1964)}}
			{{About\|Amrit Kaur, the Indian activist and politician\|the Canadian actress\|Amrit Kaur (actress)}}
	{{More citations needed\|date=July 2017}}		{{More citations needed\|date=July 2017}}
	{{EngvarB\|date=September 2014}}		{{EngvarB\|date=September 2014}}
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	==Life==		==Life==

	Amrit Kaur was born on 2 February 1887 in [[Lucknow\|Badshah Bagh, Lucknow University Campus,Lucknow]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] (then United Provinces), India. Kaur was born to [[Harnam Singh\|Raja Sir Harnam Singh Ahluwalia]] the younger son of the Raja [[Randhir Singh of Kapurthala]]. Harnam Singh left [[Kapurthala]] following a conflict over succession to the throne, becoming the manager of estates in the former princely state of [[Oudh State\|Oudh]], and converted to Christianity on the urging of Golakhnath Chatterjee, a missionary from Bengal, Singh later married Chatterjee's daughter, Priscilla, and they had ten children, of which Amrit Kaur was the youngest, and their only daughter.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web\|last=Roychowdhury\|first=Adrija\|date=2018-01-24\|title=Amrit Kaur: The princess turned Gandhian who fought Nehru on women's political participation\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/gender/amrit-kaur-the-princess-turned-gandhian-who-fought-nehru-on-womens-political-participation-5037044/\|access-date=2020-08-30\|website=The Indian Express\|language=en}}</ref>		Amrit Kaur was born on 2 February 1887 in [[Lucknow\|Badshah Bagh, Lucknow University Campus, Lucknow]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] (then United Provinces), India. Kaur was born to [[Harnam Singh\|Raja Sir Harnam Singh Ahluwalia]] the younger son of the Raja [[Randhir Singh of Kapurthala]]. Harnam Singh left [[Kapurthala]] following a conflict over succession to the throne, becoming the manager of estates in the former princely state of [[Oudh State\|Oudh]], and converted to Christianity on the urging of Golakhnath Chatterjee, a missionary from Bengal, Singh later married Chatterjee's daughter, Priscilla, and they had ten children, of which Amrit Kaur was the youngest, and their only daughter.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web\|last=Roychowdhury\|first=Adrija\|date=2018-01-24\|title=Amrit Kaur: The princess turned Gandhian who fought Nehru on women's political participation\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/gender/amrit-kaur-the-princess-turned-gandhian-who-fought-nehru-on-womens-political-participation-5037044/\|access-date=2020-08-30\|website=The Indian Express\|language=en}}</ref>

	Kaur was raised as a [[Protestant Christian]], and had her early education in [[Sherborne School For Girls]] in Dorset, England, and had her college education at [[Oxford University]]. After completing her education in England, she returned to India in 1918.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news\|date=1964-02-07\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, 75, Dies; India's First Minister of Health; Gandhi's Secretary 17 Years, a Princess, Led Campaign to Eradicate Malaria\|language=en-US\|work=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/07/archives/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-75-dies-indias-first-minister-of-health.html\|access-date=2020-08-30\|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>		Kaur was raised as a [[Protestant Christian]], and had her early education in [[Sherborne School For Girls]] in Dorset, England, and had her college education at [[Oxford University]]. After completing her education in England, she returned to India in 1918.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news\|date=1964-02-07\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, 75, Dies; India's First Minister of Health; Gandhi's Secretary 17 Years, a Princess, Led Campaign to Eradicate Malaria\|language=en-US\|work=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/07/archives/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-75-dies-indias-first-minister-of-health.html\|access-date=2020-08-30\|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

	Kaur died in New Delhi on 6 February 1964.<ref>{{Cite book\|author=Verinder Grover\|title=Great Women of Modern India\|publisher=Deep & Deep\|year=1993\|isbn=9788171004591\|volume=~~Vol.~~ 5: Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|date=6 February 1964\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, 75, Dies\|work=New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/07/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-75-dies.html?_r=0}}</ref> Although she was, at the time of her death, a practicing Protestant Christian, she was cremated in accordance with Sikh custom.<ref name=":1" /> Kaur never married, and had no children.<ref name=":1" /> She is survived by her elder brother [[Raja Maharaj Singh]]’s descendants who live between London, Delhi and Chandigarh.		Kaur died in New Delhi on 6 February 1964.<ref>{{Cite book\|author=Verinder Grover\|title=Great Women of Modern India\|publisher=Deep & Deep\|year=1993\|isbn=9788171004591\|volume=5: Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|date=6 February 1964\|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, 75, Dies\|work=New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/07/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-75-dies.html?_r=0}}</ref> Although she was, at the time of her death, a practicing Protestant Christian, she was cremated in accordance with Sikh custom.<ref name=":1" /> Kaur never married, and had no children.<ref name=":1" /> She is survived by her elder brother [[Raja Maharaj Singh]]’s descendants who live between London, Delhi and Chandigarh.

	Today, her private papers are part of the Archives at the [[Nehru Memorial Museum & Library]], at [[Teen Murti House]], Delhi.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Archives\|url=http://www.nehrumemorial.com/archivehead.php\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503203613/http://www.nehrumemorial.com/archivehead.php\|archive-date=3 May 2011\|publisher=[[Nehru Memorial Museum & Library]]}}</ref>		Today, her private papers are part of the Archives at the [[Nehru Memorial Museum & Library]], at [[Teen Murti House]], Delhi.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Archives\|url=http://www.nehrumemorial.com/archivehead.php\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503203613/http://www.nehrumemorial.com/archivehead.php\|archive-date=3 May 2011\|publisher=[[Nehru Memorial Museum & Library]]}}</ref>
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	Kaur was also instrumental in founding the Indian Council of Child Welfare.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Aboutus\|url=http://www.iccw.co.in/dared_dream.html\|access-date=2020-08-30\|website=www.iccw.co.in}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Kaur served as the Chairperson of the [[Indian Red Cross]] society for fourteen years. During her leadership, the Indian Red Cross did a number of pioneering works in the hinterlands of India. She served on the boards of governmental bodies aimed at fighting tuberculosis and leprosy.<ref name=":0" /> She started the Amrit Kaur College of Nursing and the [[National Sports Club of India]].<ref name=":0" />		Kaur was also instrumental in founding the Indian Council of Child Welfare.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Aboutus\|url=http://www.iccw.co.in/dared_dream.html\|access-date=2020-08-30\|website=www.iccw.co.in}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Kaur served as the Chairperson of the [[Indian Red Cross]] society for fourteen years. During her leadership, the Indian Red Cross did a number of pioneering works in the hinterlands of India. She served on the boards of governmental bodies aimed at fighting tuberculosis and leprosy.<ref name=":0" /> She started the Amrit Kaur College of Nursing and the [[National Sports Club of India]].<ref name=":0" />

			Rajkumari Amrit Kaur played a key role in the development of College of Nursing, New Delhi (established in 1946), Government of India renamed the college as [[Rajkumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing]] in her honor.

	From 1957 until her death in 1964, she remained a member of [[Rajya Sabha]]. Between 1958 and 1963 Kaur was the president of the All-India Motor Transport Congress in Delhi. Until her death, she continued to hold the presidencies of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the Tuberculosis Association of India, and the St. John's Ambulance Corps. She also was awarded the Rene Sand Memorial Award,<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/k/kapurthala.html \|title=Genealogy \|access-date=5 February 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808230543/http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/k/kapurthala.html \|archive-date=8 August 2018 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> and was named TIME Magazine's Woman of the Year in 1947.<ref name=":0" />		From 1957 until her death in 1964, she remained a member of [[Rajya Sabha]]. Between 1958 and 1963 Kaur was the president of the All-India Motor Transport Congress in Delhi. Until her death, she continued to hold the presidencies of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the Tuberculosis Association of India, and the St. John's Ambulance Corps. She also was awarded the Rene Sand Memorial Award,<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/k/kapurthala.html \|title=Genealogy \|access-date=5 February 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808230543/http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/k/kapurthala.html \|archive-date=8 August 2018 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> and was named TIME Magazine's Woman of the Year in 1947.<ref name=":0" />
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	*''India’s 50 Most Illustrious Women'' ({{ISBN\|81-88086-19-3}}) by Indra Gupta		*''India’s 50 Most Illustrious Women'' ({{ISBN\|81-88086-19-3}}) by Indra Gupta

	==External ~~link~~==		==External links==
	*[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000318/windows/fact.htm The Tribune, Chandigarh]		*[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000318/windows/fact.htm The Tribune, Chandigarh]

->Billjones94 at 10:52, 4 January 2022

2022-01-04T10:52:31Z

New page

{{short description|Indian politician (1889-1964)}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = Dame
| name = Amrit Kaur
| image = RajkumariAmritKaur1936.png
| alt = A South Asian woman of middle age, her head covered with a shawl
| caption = Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, from a 1936 issue of ''The Indian Listener''
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1887|2|2|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1964|2|6|1889|2|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Lucknow]], [[North-West Provinces]], [[British India]] (present-day [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]])
| death_place = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| alma_mater =
| movement = [[Indian Independence movement]]
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
| organization = [[St John Ambulance]],<br />[[Tuberculosis in India#Tuberculosis Association of India|Tuberculosis Association]],<br />[[Indian Red Cross]], [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]]
| module = {{Infobox officeholder
| embed = yes
| office = [[Minister of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Minister of Health]]
| term_start = 16 August 1947
| term_end = 16 April 1957
| primeminister = [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]
| predecessor = ''Post established''
| successor = [[Sushila Nayyar]]
| parents = [[Harnam Singh]]<br>Priscilla Golaknath
}}
}}

'''Dame Rajkumari Bibiji Amrit Kaur''' (''[[née]]'' '''Ahluwalia''') [[Order of Saint John (chartered 1888)|DStJ]] (2 February 1887 – 6 February 1964) was an Indian activist and politician. Following her long-lasting association with the [[Indian independence movement]], she was appointed the first [[Ministry of Health (India)|Health Minister of India]] in 1947 and remained in office until 1957. She also held the charge of Sports Minister and Urban Development Minister and was instrumental in setting up the [[National Institute of Sports|National Institute of Sports, Patiala.]] During her tenure, Kaur ushered in several [[Healthcare in India|healthcare reforms in India]] and is widely remembered for her contributions to the sector and her advocacy of [[women's rights]]. Kaur was also a member of the [[Indian Constituent Assembly|Constituent Assembly of India]], the body that framed the [[Constitution of India]].

==Life==

Amrit Kaur was born on 2 February 1887 in [[Lucknow|Badshah Bagh, Lucknow University Campus,Lucknow]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] (then United Provinces), India. Kaur was born to [[Harnam Singh|Raja Sir Harnam Singh Ahluwalia]] the younger son of the Raja [[Randhir Singh of Kapurthala]]. Harnam Singh left [[Kapurthala]] following a conflict over succession to the throne, becoming the manager of estates in the former princely state of [[Oudh State|Oudh]], and converted to Christianity on the urging of Golakhnath Chatterjee, a missionary from Bengal, Singh later married Chatterjee's daughter, Priscilla, and they had ten children, of which Amrit Kaur was the youngest, and their only daughter.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Roychowdhury|first=Adrija|date=2018-01-24|title=Amrit Kaur: The princess turned Gandhian who fought Nehru on women's political participation|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/gender/amrit-kaur-the-princess-turned-gandhian-who-fought-nehru-on-womens-political-participation-5037044/|access-date=2020-08-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

Kaur was raised as a [[Protestant Christian]], and had her early education in [[Sherborne School For Girls]] in Dorset, England, and had her college education at [[Oxford University]]. After completing her education in England, she returned to India in 1918.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=1964-02-07|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, 75, Dies; India's First Minister of Health; Gandhi's Secretary 17 Years, a Princess, Led Campaign to Eradicate Malaria|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/07/archives/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-75-dies-indias-first-minister-of-health.html|access-date=2020-08-30|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Kaur died in New Delhi on 6 February 1964.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Verinder Grover|title=Great Women of Modern India|publisher=Deep & Deep|year=1993|isbn=9788171004591|volume=Vol. 5: Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=6 February 1964|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, 75, Dies|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/07/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-75-dies.html?_r=0}}</ref> Although she was, at the time of her death, a practicing Protestant Christian, she was cremated in accordance with Sikh custom.<ref name=":1" /> Kaur never married, and had no children.<ref name=":1" /> She is survived by her elder brother [[Raja Maharaj Singh]]’s descendants who live between London, Delhi and Chandigarh.

Today, her private papers are part of the Archives at the [[Nehru Memorial Museum & Library]], at [[Teen Murti House]], Delhi.<ref>{{cite web|title=Archives|url=http://www.nehrumemorial.com/archivehead.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503203613/http://www.nehrumemorial.com/archivehead.php|archive-date=3 May 2011|publisher=[[Nehru Memorial Museum & Library]]}}</ref>

==Career==

===Participation in India's Independence Movement===

After her return to India from England, Kaur became interested in the [[Indian independence movement]]. Her father had shared close association with [[Indian National Congress]] leaders including [[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]], who often visited them. Kaur was drawn to the thoughts and vision of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], whom she met in [[Bombay]] ([[Mumbai]]) in 1919. Kaur worked as Gandhi's secretary for 16 years, and their correspondence was subsequently published as a volume of letters titled 'Letters to Rajkumari Amrit Kaur'.<ref name=":0" />

Following the [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre]] later that year, when the British forces shot and killed over 400 peaceful protestors in Amritsar, Punjab, Kaur became a strong critic of the British rule in India. She formally joined the Congress and began active participation in [[India's independence movement]] while also focusing on bringing about [[social reform]].<ref name="bhardwaj">{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-the-princess-who-was-gandhis-secretary-indias-first-health-minister/186245/|website=The Print|last=Bhardwaj|first=Deeksha|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the princess who was Gandhi's secretary & India's first health minister|access-date= 18 October 2019|date=2 February 2019}}</ref> She was strongly opposed to the practice of [[purdah]] and to [[Child marriage in India|child marriage]], and campaigned to abolish the [[devadasi]] system in India.<ref name=":1" />

Kaur co-founded the [[All India Women's Conference]] in 1927.<ref name="bhardwaj" /> She was later appointed its secretary in 1930, and president in 1933. She was imprisoned by the British authorities for her participation in the [[Dandi March]], led by Mahatama Gandhi in 1930. Kaur went to live at Gandhi's [[ashram]] in 1934 and adopted an austere lifestyle despite her aristocratic background.<ref name="bhardwaj" />

As a representative of the Indian National Congress, in 1937 she went on a mission of goodwill to [[Bannu]], in the present-day [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]]. The British Raj authorities charged her with sedition and imprisoned her.
[[File:Mahatma Gandhi with Rajkumari Amrit Kaur at Simla in 1945.jpg|thumb|Rajkumari with Mahatma Gandhi, Shimla 1945]]

The British authorities appointed her as a member of the Advisory Board of Education, but she resigned from the position following her involvement with the [[Quit India Movement]] in 1942. She was imprisoned by the authorities for her actions during the time.<ref name="pib">{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/feacontent.aspx?relid=151084|website=[[Press Information Bureau]]|publisher=Ministry of Health and Family Affairs|last=Srinivas|first=V|title=RajKumari Amrit Kaur|access-date= 18 October 2019|date=24 September 2016}}</ref>

She championed the cause of universal suffrage, and testified before the Lothian Committee on Indian franchise and constitutional reforms, and before the Joint Select Committee of British Parliament on Indian constitutional reforms.

Kaur served as the Chairperson of the All India Women's Education Fund Association. She was a member of the Executive Committee of [[Lady Irwin College]] in New Delhi. She was sent as a member of the Indian delegation to [[UNESCO]] conferences in London and Paris in 1945 and 1946, respectively. She also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the All India Spinners' Association.

Kaur worked to reduce illiteracy, and eradicate the custom of [[child marriage]]s and the [[purdah]] system for women, which were then prevalent among some Indian communities.

===Member of the Constituent Assembly ===

[[File:Rajkumari Amrit Kaur receiving penicillin cases.jpg|thumb|Ninety-three cases of penicillin, a gift from the Canadian Red Cross to India arrived at New Delhi in a special plane from Canada on 17 October 1947. Presenting the gift to Amrit Kaur, the then Health Minister in the Government of India at the Palam aerodrome. [[Jivraj Narayan Mehta]], Director General of Health Services appears on the left and standing on the right is Sardar Balwant Singh Puri of the Indian Red Cross.]]

Following India's independence from the colonial rule in August 1947, Kaur was elected from the [[United Provinces (1937–50)|United Provinces]] to the [[Indian Constituent Assembly]], the government body that was assigned to design the [[Constitution of India]].<ref>[http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/ CADIndia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329161051/http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/ |date=29 March 2019 }}. Cadindia.clpr.org.in. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.</ref><ref name=":1" /> She was also a member of Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights and Sub-Committee on Minorities.<ref>[http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/constituent_assembly_members/rajkumari_amrit_kaur Rajkumari Amrit Kaur] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323063912/http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/constituent_assembly_members/rajkumari_amrit_kaur |date=23 March 2019 }}. Cadindia.clpr.org.in (6 February 1964). Retrieved on 2018-12-07.</ref> As a member of the Constituent Assembly, she supported a proposal for a [[Uniform civil code|Uniform Civil Code]] in India.<ref name=":0" /> She also advocated for universal franchise, opposed affirmative action for women, and debated the language concerning the protection of religious rights.<ref name=":1" />

=== Health Minister ===
After India's independence, Amrit Kaur became part of [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]'s first [[Cabinet of India|Cabinet]]; she was the first woman to hold Cabinet rank, serving for ten years. She was assigned the [[Ministry of Health (India)|Ministry of Health]].<ref name="bhardwaj" /> In 1950, she was elected the president of [[World Health Assembly]].<ref name=":0" /> As Health Minister, Kaur led a major campaign to fight the spread of [[malaria]] in India.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> She also led the campaign to eradicate tuberculosis and was the driving force behind the largest B.C.G vaccination programme in the world.

As the health minister, Kaur played an instrumental role in establishment of the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]] (AIIMS) in [[New Delhi]], and became its first president. Kaur introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha for the establishment of AIIMS in 1956, following a recommendation made after the Government of India conducted a national health survey. Kaur was instrumental in raising funds for the establishment of AIIMS, securing aid from [[New Zealand]], Australia, [[West Germany]], [[Sweden]], and the [[United States]]. She and one of her brothers donated their ancestral property and house (named ''Manorville'') in [[Shimla|Simla]], Himachal Pradesh to serve as a holiday home for the staff and nurses of the Institute <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Roychowdhury|first=Adrija|date=2020-08-27|title=Rajkumari Amrit Kaur: The princess who built AIIMS|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/rajkumari-amrit-kaur-the-princess-who-built-aiims-6570937/|access-date=2020-08-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

Kaur was also instrumental in founding the Indian Council of Child Welfare.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aboutus|url=http://www.iccw.co.in/dared_dream.html|access-date=2020-08-30|website=www.iccw.co.in}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Kaur served as the Chairperson of the [[Indian Red Cross]] society for fourteen years. During her leadership, the Indian Red Cross did a number of pioneering works in the hinterlands of India. She served on the boards of governmental bodies aimed at fighting tuberculosis and leprosy.<ref name=":0" /> She started the Amrit Kaur College of Nursing and the [[National Sports Club of India]].<ref name=":0" />

From 1957 until her death in 1964, she remained a member of [[Rajya Sabha]]. Between 1958 and 1963 Kaur was the president of the All-India Motor Transport Congress in Delhi. Until her death, she continued to hold the presidencies of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the Tuberculosis Association of India, and the St. John's Ambulance Corps. She also was awarded the Rene Sand Memorial Award,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/k/kapurthala.html |title=Genealogy |access-date=5 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808230543/http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/k/kapurthala.html |archive-date=8 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was named TIME Magazine's Woman of the Year in 1947.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
<references />

==Further reading==

*''India’s 50 Most Illustrious Women'' ({{ISBN|81-88086-19-3}}) by Indra Gupta

==External link==
*[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000318/windows/fact.htm The Tribune, Chandigarh]

{{First Indian Cabinet}}
{{Ministry of Communications (India)}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaur, Rajkumari Amrit}}
[[Category:First Nehru ministry]]
[[Category:1889 births]]
[[Category:1964 deaths]]
[[Category:Politicians from Lucknow]]
[[Category:People from Kapurthala]]
[[Category:Indian rebels]]
[[Category:Indian women in war]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of British India]]
[[Category:Dames of the Order of St John]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:1st Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Members of the Constituent Assembly of India]]
[[Category:People educated at Sherborne Girls]]
[[Category:People of British India]]
[[Category:Gandhians]]
[[Category:Women in war 1900–1945]]
[[Category:Health ministers of India]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:Indian people of World War II]]
[[Category:Indian women of World War II]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:Women members of the Lok Sabha]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Women members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Women members of the Rajya Sabha]]
[[Category:Kapurthala State]]
[[Category:Ahluwalia]]
[[Category:Indian female royalty]]