In the history of modern dynasties, the House of Nehru rates one of the heftier chapters. Since India gained independence in 1947, its political destiny has been inextricably linked with this powerful family, whose scions have ruled the country with only two brief interruptions. There was Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister and an early leader of the durable Congress Party, his daughter Indira Gandhi, and her son Rajiv. Such was the family's sway that when Indira was assassinated in 1984, the 40-year-old Rajiv, a reluctant and unproven politician, was rocketed into high office on the strength of one credential: his...
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