Challenges Faced by Jawaharlal Nehru: Obstacles and Turning Points

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 5, 2025

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Jawaharlal Nehru's life and career.

Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India and a central figure in the country's mid-20th century politics. A prominent anti-colonial nationalist, he advocated for secular humanism and social democracy. Nehru was also a writer, historian, lawyer, and statesman. His leadership shaped India's early post-independence trajectory.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

April 1930: Arrest for Breach of Salt Law

In April 1930, Jawaharlal Nehru was arrested while traveling by train from Allahabad to Raipur for ceremoniously manufacturing contraband salt. Earlier he had addressed a huge meeting and led a vast procession. He was charged with breach of the salt law and sentenced to six months of imprisonment at Central Jail.

October 1930: Release and Re-arrest

On October 11, 1930, Jawaharlal Nehru's detention ended. However, he was back in jail in less than ten days for resuming the presidency of the banned Congress.

December 1931: Imprisonment for "No-Rent" Campaign

On December 26, 1931, Jawaharlal Nehru was imprisoned again after violating court orders by leading a "no-rent" campaign in Allahabad to help alleviate peasant distress.

August 1933: Release and Government's Intention to Re-detain

On August 30, 1933, Jawaharlal Nehru was released from prison, but the government soon moved to detain him again.

January 1934: Arrest in Allahabad

On January 12, 1934, Jawaharlal Nehru was arrested in Allahabad.

March 1936: Return to India as Congress President

In March 1936, Jawaharlal Nehru returned to India after being elected as Congress president for the coming year, leading the Congress response to the Government of India Act 1935, which he condemned.

October 1939: Condemnation of Viceroy's Attitude and Call for Resignations

On October 23, 1939, the Congress condemned the Viceroy's attitude and called upon the Congress ministries in the various provinces to resign in protest. Before this announcement, Nehru urged Jinnah and the Muslim League to join the protest, but Jinnah declined.

March 1940: Pakistan Resolution

In March 1940, Muhammad Ali Jinnah passed the Pakistan Resolution, declaring that Muslims are a nation and must have their own state.

October 1940: Launch of Limited Civil Disobedience Campaign

In October 1940, Gandhi and Nehru launched a limited civil disobedience campaign in which leading advocates of Indian independence were selected to participate one by one.

October 1940: Dominion Status Offer

On October 8, 1940, Linlithgow offered Dominion status for India but referred neither to a date nor a method to accomplish this. It was also communicated that the British would not transfer power to a Congress-dominated government.

August 1942: Arrest Following Quit India Resolution

Following the Quit India resolution passed by the Congress party in Bombay on August 8, 1942, the entire Congress working committee, including Gandhi and Nehru, was arrested and imprisoned.

1942: Cripps Mission and Failed Compromise

In 1942, with the Japanese threat growing, the British government sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India with settlement proposals. Nehru was hopeful for a compromise, but Gandhi opposed the proposals. Cripps' mission ultimately failed.

April 1943: Muslim League Captures Governments

In April 1943, while Congress leaders were imprisoned, the Muslim League captured the governments of Bengal and the North-West Frontier Province.

1943: Bengal famine

Much of the blame for the disastrous Bengal famine of 1943–44 during which two million died had been laid on the shoulders of the province's Muslim League government.