Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister (1964–1966), is remembered for his simplicity, humility, and unwavering dedication to the nation. His leadership during the Indo-Pak War of 1965 and his iconic call to the people through the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” remain defining moments of his career.
Born in Mughalsarai (Uttar Pradesh), Shastri was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and became active in the Indian independence movement during the 1920s. After independence, he served in several important positions under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, including Home Minister.
As Prime Minister, Shastri strongly encouraged the White Revolution (to increase milk production) and the Green Revolution (to boost food grain output), laying the foundation for India’s agricultural self-sufficiency. His brief but impactful tenure left behind a legacy of resilience and integrity.
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Who Was Lal Bahadur Shastri?
- Position: 2nd Prime Minister of India (1964–1966)
- Key Contributions: Leadership during the 1965 Indo-Pak War
- Gave the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”
- Promoted the Green and White Revolutions
- Early Life: Born in Mughalsarai, joined the freedom struggle inspired by Mahatma Gandhi
- Legacy: Known for honesty, simplicity, and strong commitment to farmers and soldiers
100+ GK Questions on Lal Bahadur Shastri with Answers
This quiz is designed to test your knowledge about the life, achievements, and legacy of Lal Bahadur Shastri. From his leadership in wartime to his visionary policies in agriculture, Shastri continues to be celebrated as one of India’s most respected leaders.
Early Life & Background
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When was Lal Bahadur Shastri born?
Answer: 2 October 1904 -
Where was Lal Bahadur Shastri born?
Answer: Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh (then United Provinces) -
What was Lal Bahadur Shastri’s father’s name?
Answer: Sharda Prasad Shrivastava -
What was Lal Bahadur Shastri’s mother’s name?
Answer: Ramdulari Devi -
What was Lal Bahadur Shastri’s original surname?
Answer: Shrivastava -
Why did Lal Bahadur Shastri drop his surname “Shrivastava”?
Answer: To oppose the caste system -
What does the title “Shastri” mean?
Answer: Scholar (conferred after completing studies at Kashi Vidyapeeth) -
Which spiritual leader deeply influenced Shastri in childhood?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi -
Which movement inspired Shastri to join the freedom struggle in the 1920s?
Answer: Non-Cooperation Movement -
Which Indian freedom fighter’s speeches greatly impressed Shastri?
Answer: Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi
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Education
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Where did Shastri complete his schooling?
Answer: Varanasi -
At which institution did Shastri receive the title “Shastri”?
Answer: Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi -
In which subject did Shastri earn his degree?
Answer: Philosophy and Ethics -
Which teacher played a major role in shaping Shastri’s values?
Answer: Nishkameshwar Prasad Mishra
Freedom Struggle
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In which year was Shastri first jailed for participating in the freedom struggle?
Answer: 1921 -
Which movement did Shastri join in 1930 leading to his imprisonment?
Answer: Salt Satyagraha -
How many times was Lal Bahadur Shastri imprisoned during the freedom struggle?
Answer: Several times, totaling over 9 years -
Who did Shastri marry in 1928?
Answer: Lalita Devi -
Which famous nationalist’s ashram did Shastri join for political training?
Answer: Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram -
Which revolutionary activity impressed Shastri during his youth?
Answer: Swadeshi movement and boycott of foreign goods
Political Career Before Becoming PM
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Which political party did Lal Bahadur Shastri belong to?
Answer: Indian National Congress -
Who was Shastri’s political mentor in Uttar Pradesh?
Answer: Govind Ballabh Pant -
Which important post did Shastri hold in Uttar Pradesh after independence?
Answer: Parliamentary Secretary to UP CM Govind Ballabh Pant -
Which portfolio did Shastri handle as UP Minister in 1947?
Answer: Police and Transport -
What reform did Shastri introduce in UP’s transport system?
Answer: First woman conductor in public transport -
When did Shastri first join Nehru’s Cabinet?
Answer: 1952 -
Which portfolio did Shastri hold in Nehru’s Cabinet (1952)?
Answer: Minister of Railways -
What key reform did Shastri introduce as Railway Minister?
Answer: Appointed a Railway Committee to investigate accidents and improve safety -
Why did Shastri resign as Railway Minister in 1956?
Answer: After a major railway accident at Ariyalur in Tamil Nadu, taking moral responsibility -
Which ministry did Shastri later head before becoming PM?
Answer: Home Ministry (1961–1963)
Prime Ministership
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When did Lal Bahadur Shastri become Prime Minister?
Answer: 9 June 1964 -
Who succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru as PM?
Answer: Lal Bahadur Shastri -
How long did Shastri serve as Prime Minister?
Answer: 1964 to 1966 (about 19 months) -
What slogan did Shastri give to boost morale during the 1965 war?
Answer: Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan -
Which two revolutions did Shastri promote as PM?
Answer: Green Revolution and White Revolution -
Which organization did Shastri support for the White Revolution?
Answer: National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), led by Dr. Verghese Kurien -
What major foreign policy challenge did Shastri face as PM?
Answer: Indo-Pak War of 1965 -
Which international agreement did Shastri sign after the 1965 war?
Answer: Tashkent Agreement (January 1966) -
Who mediated the Tashkent Agreement?
Answer: Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin -
Which leader signed the Tashkent Agreement with Shastri?
Answer: Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan
Indo-Pak War (1965)
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What triggered the 1965 Indo-Pak War?
Answer: Infiltration by Pakistan into Jammu & Kashmir (Operation Gibraltar) -
Which operation launched by India repelled Pakistani infiltration?
Answer: Operation Grand Slam and subsequent counterattacks -
Which Indian General led operations in the 1965 war?
Answer: General J.N. Chaudhuri (Army Chief) -
What was the outcome of the 1965 Indo-Pak War?
Answer: Stalemate; both sides withdrew to pre-war positions under UN mediation
Death & Legacy
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When did Lal Bahadur Shastri die?
Answer: 11 January 1966 -
Where did Lal Bahadur Shastri die?
Answer: Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then USSR) -
What was the cause of Shastri’s death?
Answer: Officially reported as a heart attack (though surrounded by controversy) -
Who succeeded Shastri as Prime Minister?
Answer: Indira Gandhi -
Which award was posthumously conferred on Shastri in 1966?
Answer: Bharat Ratna -
Which Indian airport is named after Lal Bahadur Shastri?
Answer: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi
Personal Life & Family
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What was Lal Bahadur Shastri’s wife’s name?
Answer: Lalita Shastri -
How many children did Lal Bahadur Shastri have?
Answer: Six -
Which of his sons entered politics?
Answer: Anil Shastri -
Which of his sons became a banker and BJP leader?
Answer: Sunil Shastri -
Which of his sons worked in agriculture and social service?
Answer: Hari Krishna Shastri -
Which city houses the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial?
Answer: New Delhi -
Which ashram inspired his simple lifestyle?
Answer: Sabarmati Ashram (Gandhi’s ashram) -
What was Shastri’s food habit?
Answer: Vegetarian -
What values did Shastri strongly believe in?
Answer: Simplicity, honesty, humility, self-reliance -
What kind of clothes did Shastri prefer wearing?
Answer: Khadi (hand-spun cotton clothes)
Political Contributions
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Which portfolio did Shastri hold before becoming Prime Minister?
Answer: Home Minister (1961–1963) -
Which major law did he handle as Home Minister?
Answer: Prevention of Corruption Act -
Who was the President of India when Shastri became PM?
Answer: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan -
Which Indian leader did Shastri succeed as PM?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru -
Who succeeded Shastri as Prime Minister?
Answer: Indira Gandhi -
Which year did Shastri resign as Railway Minister?
Answer: 1956 -
Which post did Shastri hold that gave him reputation for discipline?
Answer: Home Minister of Uttar Pradesh -
Which revolution in agriculture is credited to Shastri’s push?
Answer: Green Revolution -
Which revolution in dairy is credited to his policies?
Answer: White Revolution -
Which cooperative movement did Shastri support to boost milk supply?
Answer: Amul Dairy Cooperative (led by Dr. Verghese Kurien)
Indo-Pak War & Foreign Policy
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Which year did the Indo-Pak War take place during his leadership?
Answer: 1965 -
What was the war fought over?
Answer: Jammu & Kashmir infiltration by Pakistan (Operation Gibraltar) -
Which Indian Army chief served during the 1965 war?
Answer: General J. N. Chaudhuri -
Which city was attacked by Pakistan during the war?
Answer: Lahore and Amritsar sectors faced heavy battles -
Which major battle in 1965 war is remembered for tank warfare?
Answer: Battle of Asal Uttar (Punjab) -
Which agreement ended the war?
Answer: Tashkent Agreement -
Who mediated the Tashkent Agreement?
Answer: Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin -
Which Pakistani leader signed the agreement with Shastri?
Answer: President Ayub Khan -
What slogan did Shastri coin during the war?
Answer: Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan -
Which international body called for ceasefire during the 1965 war?
Answer: United Nations (UN)
Death & Posthumous Recognition
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When did Lal Bahadur Shastri die?
Answer: 11 January 1966 -
Where did Lal Bahadur Shastri die?
Answer: Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then USSR) -
What was the official cause of his death?
Answer: Heart attack -
Which controversy is associated with his death?
Answer: Allegations of poisoning, never conclusively proven -
Which award was given to him posthumously in 1966?
Answer: Bharat Ratna -
Which Indian airport is named after him?
Answer: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi -
Which university is named after Shastri in Lucknow?
Answer: Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management and Development Studies -
Which metro station in Delhi is named after him?
Answer: Lal Bahadur Shastri Metro Station (on Pink Line) -
Which dam project did Shastri strongly support?
Answer: Bhakra Nangal Dam -
Which Delhi road is named after Shastri?
Answer: Shastri Bhavan Road
Legacy & Honors
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Which day is celebrated as Lal Bahadur Shastri’s birth anniversary?
Answer: 2 October (shared with Mahatma Gandhi) -
Which memorial in Delhi is dedicated to him?
Answer: Vijay Ghat -
Which coin denomination featured Shastri’s portrait?
Answer: ₹5 coin -
Which postal stamp was issued in his honor in 1966?
Answer: Lal Bahadur Shastri commemorative stamp -
Which international award did Shastri receive posthumously?
Answer: None officially, but recognized globally for peace efforts -
Which slogan by Shastri still inspires Indian farmers and soldiers?
Answer: Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan -
Which educational institution in Delhi is named after Shastri?
Answer: Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM), Delhi -
What principle did Shastri stress in governance?
Answer: Collective responsibility and simplicity -
Which year did the Government of India rename Mughalsarai Railway Station after Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, where Shastri was born?
Answer: 2018 -
Which Indian PM served the shortest term before Shastri?
Answer: Gulzarilal Nanda (acting PM after Nehru’s death) -
What was Shastri’s term length as PM?
Answer: 19 months (1964–1966) -
Which famous dairy campaign in India traces its roots to Shastri’s push?
Answer: Operation Flood -
Which city is home to Lal Bahadur Shastri’s ancestral house, now a museum?
Answer: Ramnagar, near Varanasi -
Which award did Shastri’s wife, Lalita Shastri, establish in his memory?
Answer: Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Award -
What symbol of humility is often used to describe Shastri?
Answer: “A leader of the common man”
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FAQs on Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti
When is Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti celebrated?
It is observed every year on 2nd October, the birth anniversary of India’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Why is Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti important?
It honors his contributions to India’s independence movement, his leadership as Prime Minister, and his principles of simplicity, integrity, and nationalism.
What is Lal Bahadur Shastri best remembered for?
He is remembered for the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”, his leadership during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, and his role in strengthening India’s food production through the Green Revolution.
Is Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti a public holiday?
Yes, it is a national holiday, observed along with Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October.
How is Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti observed?
People pay tribute at his memorial in New Delhi, schools and institutions hold special programs, and citizens recall his values of honesty, simplicity, and selfless service.
Why is Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” significant?
It highlights the importance of soldiers in protecting the nation and farmers in feeding the country, emphasizing both security and self-sufficiency.
What values can students learn from Lal Bahadur Shastri?
Simplicity, dedication to duty, respect for hard work, and placing the nation’s interest above personal gain.