On June 23, 2025, India remembers Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on his death anniversary. He was a great leader, barrister, and educationist. He worked hard for India’s unity. His life was full of achievements. This biography tells his story in simple words.
Early Life And Family
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was born on July 6, 1901, in Calcutta. Calcutta is now called Kolkata. It is in West Bengal, India. His family was Bengali Brahmin. His father was Ashutosh Mukherjee. Ashutosh was a famous judge. He worked in the Calcutta High Court. He was also the Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University. Shyama’s mother was Jogamaya Devi Mukherjee. His grandfather, Ganga Prasad Mukherjee, moved to Calcutta from Jirat. Shyama had three brothers. Their names were Rama Prasad, Uma Prasad, and Bama Prasad. Rama became a judge. Uma was a trekker and writer.
Education
Shyama was a bright student. He started school in 1906. He joined Bhawanipur’s Mitra Institution. His teachers liked him. He was polite and hardworking. In 1914, he passed his matriculation exam. He joined Presidency College in Calcutta. In 1916, he passed the Inter-Arts exam. He stood seventeenth in it. In 1921, he finished his B.A. in English. He got first position in first class. In 1923, he completed his M.A. in Bengali. He also studied law. In 1924, he got his B.L. degree. He became an advocate in Calcutta High Court.
In 1926, Shyama went to England. He studied at Lincoln’s Inn. In 1927, he became a barrister. He returned to Calcutta. He started working as a lawyer. He also joined Calcutta University’s Senate in 1923. His father died in 1924. Shyama wanted to continue his father’s work in education.
In 1934, Shyama became Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University. He was only 33 years old. He was the youngest Vice-Chancellor ever. He worked until 1938. During his time, Rabindranath Tagore spoke in Bengali at the university. This was a first. Shyama also added Indian languages to the exams. He loved education. He wanted students to learn well,
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Wife, Children, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shyama Prasad Mukherjee |
| Date of Birth | July 6, 1901 |
| Place of Birth | Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, India |
| Family | Father: Ashutosh Mukherjee (Judge, Vice-Chancellor) Mother: Jogamaya Devi Mukherjee Brothers: Rama Prasad, Uma Prasad, Bama Prasad |
| Education | - Matriculation (1914), Mitra Institution, Bhawanipur - Inter-Arts (1916), Presidency College - B.A. English (1921, First Class) - M.A. Bengali (1923) - B.L. Law (1924) - Barrister, Lincoln’s Inn, England (1927) |
| Early Career | - Advocate, Calcutta High Court (1927) - Member, Calcutta University Senate (1923) |
| Vice-Chancellor | Calcutta University (1934–1938), youngest at age 33 |
| Political Start | - Joined Indian National Congress (1937) - Elected to Bengal Legislative Council (1929) |
| Key Political Party | Hindu Mahasabha - President (1943–1947) - Worked for Hindu safety during riots |
| Bengal Famine (1943) | Helped provide food to people in Bengal |
| Buddhist Work | - President, Buddhist Mahabodhi Society (1942) - Brought Buddha’s relics to India (1952) |
| Post-Independence Role | - Minister for Industry and Supply, India (1947–1950) - Made India’s first Industrial Policy (1948) |
| Resignation | Left cabinet in 1950 due to disagreement with Liaquat-Nehru Pact |
| Bharatiya Jana Sangh | - Founded in 1951, first president - Party won three seats in 1952 elections |
| Kashmir Movement | - Opposed Article 370 - Protested permit system in Jammu & Kashmir (1953) |
| Arrest | Arrested on May 11, 1953, in Lakhanpur, Kashmir, for entering without permit |
| Death | June 23, 1953, in custody in Srinagar, age 52 - Cause: Likely heart attack; some call it mysterious |
| Legacy | - Kolkata Port renamed Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port (2020) - Chenani-Nashri Tunnel named after him - Inspired removal of Article 370 (2019) |
| Key Beliefs | - Wanted united India - Supported Hindi, equal rights - Loved peace and education |
| Memorial Days | - Birth: July 6 - Death: June 23 |
Political Career
Shyama entered politics in 1929. He joined the Indian National Congress. He was elected to the Bengal Legislative Council. But he left Congress in 1930. He did not agree with its leaders. He became an independent candidate. In 1937, he won elections. He became Leader of the Opposition in Bengal. In 1941, he was Finance Minister of Bengal. He worked until 1942.
Shyama cared about Bengal. In 1943, Bengal faced a big famine. Many people died. Shyama helped people. He worked hard to get food for them. In 1946, there were riots in Calcutta and Noakhali. Shyama spoke for Hindus. He joined the Hindu Mahasabha. He became its president from 1943 to 1946. He wanted Hindus to be safe. He also spoke against Partition. He wanted India to stay united. But in 1946, he supported Bengal’s partition. He did not want Hindu areas to go to East Pakistan.
Shyama was also part of the Buddhist Mahabodhi Society. In 1942, he became its president. In 1952, he helped bring Buddha’s relics to India. These relics were of Sariputra and Maudgalyayana. They were kept in the British Museum. Shyama took them to Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, and Vietnam. Later, he placed them in Sanchi Stupa.
After India’s independence in 1947, Shyama joined Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet. He was the first Minister for Industry and Supply. He made India’s first Industrial Policy in 1948. It helped India grow strong. But he left the cabinet in 1950. He did not like the Liaquat-Nehru Pact. This pact was between India and Pakistan. Shyama thought it was unfair to India.
In 1951, Shyama started a new party. It was called Bharatiya Jana Sangh. This party later became the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shyama was its first president. The party wanted a strong India. It supported Hindi as the national language. It also wanted equal rights for all. In 1952, the party won three seats in Parliament. Shyama was one of the winners.
Shyama cared about Jammu and Kashmir. He did not like Article 370. This article gave special rights to Kashmir. It said Indians needed permits to enter Kashmir. Shyama wanted Kashmir to be fully part of India. He said, “One country cannot have two laws, two leaders, two flags.” In 1953, he went to Kashmir. He did not have a permit. On May 11, 1953, police arrested him at Lakhanpur. He was taken to Srinagar’s Central Jail. Later, he was moved to a cottage outside the city. He started a hunger strike. He protested the permit system.
On June 23, 1953, Shyama died in custody. He was 52 years old. Some say he had a heart attack. Others think his death was a mystery. His death shocked India. His mother, Jogamaya, said, “My son’s loss is a loss to Mother India.” Because of Shyama’s protest, the permit system ended. In 2019, Article 370 was removed. Many called it Shyama’s dream coming true.
Shyama’s work lives on. In 2020, the Kolkata Port Trust was renamed Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port. The Chenani-Nashri Tunnel in Kashmir was also named after him. His ideas inspire many people. He wanted a united India. He worked for education, politics, and religion. He was a true patriot.
Shyama was a great speaker. He fought for what he believed in. He was not afraid to disagree with others. He worked with people who had different ideas. He was a constitutionalist. He believed in following the law. He was not a confrontationalist. He wanted peace and unity.
Shyama’s life was short but full of work. He studied hard. He became a barrister. He led a university. He started a political party. He helped during tough times. He spoke for Hindus. He worked for Buddhists. He fought for Kashmir. His death was sad. But his ideas are still alive.
People remember Shyama on his birth and death anniversaries. On July 6, they celebrate his birth. On June 23, they honor his sacrifice. Schools and colleges talk about him. Politicians praise him. His story teaches us to love our country. It tells us to work hard. It shows us to stand for what is right.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was a hero. He was born in a famous family. He made his own name. He was a son of Bengal. He was a leader of India. His life was for the nation. His death was for unity. He will always be remembered. His dream of a strong India lives on.