Indira Gandhi, India

The Nehrus have been a wealthy Brahmin family since the Mughal era. Motilal Nehru and his son Jawaharlal Nehru were both leading figures in the independence movement. When India received independence in 1947, J Nehru became its first prime minister and remained in office till his death in 1964.

Nehru's only child, Indira, grew up with her mother, who was somewhat estranged from the main Nehru family, and in various schools. While in Europe she met her husband Feroze Gandhi. His name is clouded in myth. Some say that he was born with a different name (they don't agree on what it was), and then when Mr Nehru objected to his marriage to Indira, Mahatma Gandhi stepped in to officially adopt Feroze and thus bless the union, whereupon Feroze took on the name Gandhi. The other story, which I find more plausible, is that Feroze happened to have the name Gandhi all along (it's not an uncommon name) and the adoption story was dreamed up later as a political act to associate Indira with the famous mahatma.

Indira Gandhi participated in politics during her father's life but didn't seem aimed for a major career. After his death, a movement gathered around her and she was elected prime minister in 1966. She dominated Indian politics from then till she was asssassinated in 1984, serving as prime minister for all but three years of that period.

Indira's younger son Sanjay wielded great influence in his mother's government, often to the point of controversy. When Sanjay died in an accident (flying a private plane), his older brother Rajiv, who had hitherto avoided politics, was persuaded to replace Sanjay as the heir presumptive. When Indira was assassinated in 1984, Rajiv scceeded her as prime minister.

Like their mother, both Sanjay and Rajiv attended school in England. While there, Rajiv met Sonia Maino, an Italian who became his wife. Rajiv was defeated for re-election in 1989 but remained leader of his party. He was assassinated in 1991, after which many in the party attempted to recruit Sonia to take his place as party leader. Unlike many in the family, Sonia staunchly refused to be recruited ... for a few years. In 1997 she joined the party and in 1999 became its leader. But when her party won elections in 2004, rather than taking the post of prime minister herself, she recommended Manmohan Singh, who serves in that capacity today.

Rahul Gandhi, son of Sonia and Rajiv, was elected member of parliament in 2004. His campaign was run by his younger sister, Priyanka Gandhi, and there has been speculation that she might seek a seat somewhere.

Among the leaders in the opposition party is Maneka Gandhi, widow of Sanjay Gandhi. After his death, she intended to take his place. When this was opposed by Indira Gandhi, she pursued her career with the opposition instead. She remains a member of parliament today. Her son Varun Gandhi, now 27 years old, is active in the party, though he has yet to run for any office.

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