The Controversy Surrounding Feroze Gandhi’s Surname and Origins

 

Feroze Gandhi’s surname has long been a topic of debate, with many questioning whether he was related to the famous Gandhi family. Speculations about his background, religion, and even his funeral rites have circulated widely, especially on social media. In his official biography, Feroze the Forgotten Gandhi, Swedish author Bertil Falk provides clarity on these matters. He was born on 12 th September 1912 in Mumbai as Parsi. His father Jahangir Fardoon Ghandi was a marine engineer and could not have been a More originally and his mother Ratimai Commissariat was of persian origin. They had 5 children the last born who was Feroze. His original surname was Ghandy which referred to the Parsi caste and adopted Gandhi during the freedom struggle in honour of the great Mahatma Gandhi. However, In Indira Gandhi’s aunt Krishna Hutheesing in her book Indu Se Pradhanmantri: Indira Gandhi goes very close to stating so when she says that ‘Gandhi’ was Feroze’s family name while ‘Ghandy’ is simply a luminous typo. She continues on and says, “Gandhi,” similar to many other first last names of Indians, was indicative of a profession as seen with modis, pansaris and others.

The Origin and Significance of the Surname “Ghandhy” and Parsi Heritage

The surname “Ghandhy” is an occupational name in India, meaning “perfume seller” in modern Indic languages. It originates from the Sanskrit word gandhika, meaning “perfume,” and gandha, meaning “fragrance.” In Gujarati, the term also refers to a “grocer” or “pharmacist” and is commonly found among the Vanias and Parsis of Gujarat. Both Hindus and Parsis carry the surname Gandhi. As Krishna Hutheesing emphasizes in her writings, Mahatma Gandhi was a Hindu, while Feroze Gandhi was a Parsi, and the two were not relatedParsis are Zoroastrians and their religion is founded by Prophet Zarathustra and according to beliefs, he brought holy fire from heaven to the earth. This makes fire very essential to Parsis and that is why their places of worship are Agni Mandir which translates to the temple of fire. The Parsis’ ancestors moved to India from Persia 1200 years back from Iran in order to escape religious oppression that was imposed by the Muslim invaders. There is a misconception regarding the ethnicity of Parsis for which it is significant to make the distinction that they are not Muslims and their Zoroastrianism is a quite ancient religion.
The Parsis or also known as the Zoroastrians arrived in India during the invasion of Iran by Muslims between the years 636 and 651CE and specifically in the region of southern Gujarat. But there were other Zoroastrians also called the Iranians who also moved to India at about the same period. The first Parsi refugees were hence welcomed in India under the asylum of King Jadi Rana and over the years, embraced the Indian culture especially the gujarati language. Some of the details of their earlier history can be traced from the Qissa-I-Sanjan which is a documented history on their initial formation.

The Parsi Community’s Significant Contribution to India’s Economic and Social Development

Despite their small population, the Parsi community has played a crucial role in India’s economic development, especially since the British Raj. Influential figures from the community, such as Ardeshir Godrej, Byramjee Jejeebhoy, Sir Dorabji Tata, and Homi Jehangir Bhabha, have left a lasting legacy in industry and science. The Tata family, including Jamsetji Tata, J.R.D. Tata, Ratan Tata, and Pallonji Mistry, were key drivers of industrial growth and India’s global business presence. In sports and entertainment, icons like Aruna Irani and Diana Edulji gained national recognition. Social and political leaders such as Dadabhai Naoroji, B.P. Wadia, and contemporary pioneers like Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla have furthered India’s development and global reputation.

Feroze Gandhi’s Early Life and Family Background

 

The family lived in Naoroji Natakwala Bhavan in Khetwadi, Mumbai. Feroze was the youngest of five siblings, with two brothers and two sisters. Known for his lively personality, Feroze was sociable, kind-hearted, and fun-loving, though occasionally careless. During his courtship with Indira Nehru, Feroze became deeply attached to the Nehru family. He was raised by his aunt, Shirin Commissariat, one of India’s first female surgeons, after being adopted at Lady Dufferin Hospital in Allahabad. His parents, Jehangir and Ratimai, came from middle-class backgrounds in Gujarat before moving to Mumbai. After Jahangir’s untimely death, Ratimai and her children spent significant time in Allahabad. There is a rumor that Feroze may have been the illegitimate child of Shirin and a well-known Punjabi lawyer in Allahabad, but there is no concrete evidence to support this, as it remains local gossip.

 

 

Feroze Gandhi’s Early Bond with the Nehru Family and His Courtship with Indira

Feroze Gandhi’s relationship with the Nehru family began when he was a young student in Allahabad. According to a BBC Hindi report, the first significant interaction occurred when Feroze witnessed Kamala Nehru, Indira Gandhi’s mother, falling ill while protesting against British rule. Feroze, who was sitting nearby, immediately rushed to help her. From that point onward, he regularly visited the Nehru household to check on Kamala’s well-being. It is quite obvious that Feroze had a great admiration for the Nehru family since he participated in freedom fight although his Parsi family did not appreciate it. His family went to both Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru to dissuade Feroze from becoming associated with the freedom fight professional saying that this would harm his future. His mother Shirin even told him that she would stop sending him money for his schooling in England.Feroze wanted to marry Indira since they met each other he proposed to her when she was only sixteen years. But her mother did not accept the proposal for marriage because Kamala Nehru thought that Indira was still too young too marry. Feroze lived up to his duties and was very supportive to Indira even after the death of Kamala in 1936 and this made them to become close. Under the study at the London School of Economics when Feroze was also studying and at Oxford University Indira was at, the two exchanged covenantarian compound and both became business-like sweethearts. The two never disclosed their relationship to her father, Jawaharlal Nehru who had many reasons against their union. Nehru’s objections were not ideological such as religion or caste, as we know that the Nehru family did not adhere to conventional Victorian morality in the matter of marriage; they were simply differences in backgrounds and education, and Nehru’s fear that Indira had not been introduced to enough men in India.

Feroze Gandhi and Indira’s Marriage: Challenges and Strength in Union

Even Nehru who did not approve Feroze for his daughter, and social taboos which the fundamentalists placed in the country against inter-religious marriage, Feroze and Indira could not abandon the marriage plan. They also thought of a private wedding solely to prevent such incidents but their relationship leaked and received threats from both the hindu and Parsi communities. However, their resolve of marrying only became stronger and what can be seen is that they proceeded to marry, although they experienced lots of hardships, Feroze being a strong pillar of support to Indira.
affected his father-in-law, Nehru. Another example of Feroze’s justice was press freedom where he actively fought and got the Protection of Publication Bill passed to protect journalists who wrote and published articles on the parliament.Jawaharlal Nehru was reluctant to approve of the union, but after Mahatma Gandhi’s intervention, the couple was married in Allahabad. However, their relationship soon faced challenges. Nehru’s possessiveness over his daughter became evident when, after becoming India’s Prime Minister, he insisted that Indira move to Delhi to serve as his hostess while Feroze stayed behind in Lucknow as the director of the National Herald. This separation, combined with Feroze’s independent nature and reputation as a womanizer, created a growing distance between them.

Despite their personal conflicts, Feroze emerged as a strong political figure, notably exposing major financial scandals like the LIC-Mundhra scam. His efforts forced the resignation of T.T. Krishnamachari, the finance minister, even though it created a political storm that

Although their relationship remained strained, with rumors of infidelity and disagreements about politics, they continued to share a deep connection. Feroze criticized Indira’s political decisions, such as her imposition of President’s rule in Kerala, openly calling her out for her authoritarian tendencies. This criticism strained their relationship further, yet they continued to interact closely for the sake of their children. Despite their arguments, the family often vacationed together, hinting at moments of reconciliation. Feroze’s legacy as a champion of press freedom and a fearless crusader against corruption remains significant, even as his personal life was marked by tension and complexity.

 

Personal Challenges and Marital Strains of Indira Gandhi

 

Indira Gandhi, India’s first female Prime Minister, faced personal challenges in her marital life, especially during pregnancy. Journalist Inder Malhotra revealed that Feroze Gandhi, her husband, had a close relationship with a woman named Hammi, who was known for her beauty. Hammi’s father was a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government at the time. According to Malhotra, this relationship became a source of tension when Indira Gandhi moved to the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi with her children to care for her father, Jawaharlal Nehru. It was during this time that Feroze’s romance with Hammi reportedly began.

Malhotra further explained that Indira Gandhi harbored regrets about this affair throughout her life. He recounted an incident that occurred after Feroze Gandhi’s death and before the Emergency period. Hammi had visited the Prime Minister’s Office to apply for something. When she was leaving, Congress President Devkant Barua arrived, and Indira remarked to him, “Look outside. That woman is the one for whom Feroze ruined his entire life.”

Katherine Frank, author of Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi, also explored the strain in Indira and Feroze’s marriage. She wrote that soon after their wedding, differences began to arise between the couple. Frank noted that when Indira was pregnant with Rajiv Gandhi, she discovered Feroze was having an affair with another woman. Devastated by her husband’s infidelity, Indira began distancing herself from him. Frank further mentioned that Feroze Gandhi was known to be drawn to Parliament’s glamorous figures like Tarakeshwari Sinha, Mehmoona Sultan, and MP Subhadra Joshi.

This complicated dynamic between Indira and Feroze Gandhi, particularly the presence of Hammi and other women, added to the tensions that marked their marriage.

 

Complex Dynamics and Contributions of Feroze and Indira Gandhi

The relationship between Indira Gandhi and her husband Feroze Gandhi was complex and often strained, but despite their differences, Indira later acknowledged Feroze’s support in crucial moments. Tensions between the two escalated when Indira left their home in Lucknow with their two children and moved to her father’s residence, Anand Bhawan, in 1955. That same year, Feroze launched an anti-corruption campaign within the Congress party, while Indira became a member of the Working Committee and Central Election Committee of the party.

At that time, Congress dominated Indian politics, and with weak opposition, there was a political vacuum in the young republic. Feroze, though close to a family deeply entrenched in the ruling party, became an unofficial leader of the opposition and India’s first major whistleblower, exposing corruption and causing significant reforms like the nationalization of the insurance industry. His efforts led to several corrupt officials being jailed and even the resignation of the Finance Minister.

Feroze’s confrontational approach extended to his personal life as well. He was the first to recognize Indira’s authoritarian tendencies, especially in 1959 when she, as Congress President, overthrew Kerala’s first elected Communist government and imposed President’s Rule. At a family breakfast in Anand Bhawan, Feroze called Indira a fascist in front of Nehru. His staunch defense of free speech led him to propose the Feroze Gandhi Press Law, which allowed journalists to freely report on parliamentary proceedings. Ironically, Indira dismantled this law during the Emergency, though it was later reinstated by the Janata government, ensuring Feroze’s legacy lived on.

Feroze and Indira often disagreed, even on how to raise their children and their views on politics. Indira, influenced by the image of “Mother India,” believed in centralizing power, while Feroze supported India’s federal structure. Despite their political and personal differences, they shared a mutual love for gardening, one of the few common bonds in their otherwise tumultuous relationship.

 

Feroze Gandhi’s Final Moments and Indira Gandhi’s Last Farewell

 

On 7 September 1960, when Indira Gandhi arrived at Delhi’s Palam airport from Trivandrum, she learned that her husband, Feroze Gandhi, had suffered another heart attack. She immediately rushed to Wellington Hospital, where he was being treated. Feroze’s assistant, Usha Bhagat, informed Indira that throughout the night, Feroze had been drifting in and out of consciousness, repeatedly asking, “Where is Indu?” A week prior, Feroze had experienced chest pains and on the evening of 7 September, he called his doctor and friend, Dr. H.S. Khosla, who advised him to come to the hospital immediately. Feroze drove himself to the hospital, but while Dr. Khosla was examining him, he fainted. Indira was by Feroze’s side during his final moments. On the morning of 8 September, Feroze briefly regained consciousness and urged Indira, who had not slept or eaten all night, to have some breakfast, but she refused. He soon lost consciousness again and passed away at 7:45 AM. Had he lived just four more days, he would have celebrated his 48th birthday. After Feroze’s death, Indira took his body from Wellington Hospital to Teen Murti Bhavan. According to Indira’s biographer, Catherine Frank, Indira insisted on bathing Feroze’s body and preparing it for the last rites herself, ensuring that no one else was present during this deeply personal moment.

 

 

Feroze Gandhi’s Funeral and the Aftermath

Jawaharlal Nehru was much disturbed with the sudden demise of Feroze Gandhi. It is said that at Teen Murti Bhavan they removed the furniture from the ground floor and spread white sheets on the carpets and the masses commenced coming in to pay their last respects. On September 9, Indirar accompanied by Rajiv, Sanjay and Tehmina the only sister of Feroze Gandhi, gazed at the mortal remains of Feroze her husband who was wrapped in the tricolor right till the boat at Nigambodh Ghat. Many where present to say their last goodbye as the weakened authority laid lifeless on the streets. Rajiv Gandhi the sixteen years old son of Feroze Gandhi lit the funeral pyre; thus the Hindu rites were performed in accordance with the dying wish of Feroze Gandhi to be cremated in accordance to Hindu traditions. However there were some Parsi rituals that were also followed before the cremation and this was at the insistence of Indira. Biographer Katherine Frank documents that the traditional Parsi prayer—‘Geh-Sarnu’ was said in secrecy, and Indira and her two sons were the only people in the room. It was after two days that Feroze’s ashes were taken onboard the train to Allahabad where a part of it was thrown in the Sangam while the remaining ash was buried in a Parsi cemetery. Part of his ashes was also buried at his family burial ground at Surat. During immersion at the Sangam, Nehru was present there, though he looked as if lost in a deep thought session but conspicuously, his eyes were not shedding any tear. On the same day CAV College, in which Feroze had studied declared a holiday as a result of the condolence meeting that was conducted.

Indira Gandhi dressed in white saree for Feroze Gandhi’s funeral as is the Hindu tradition for married women after the death of their husband. In India, white is the colour of mourning. After the death of Feroze she continued to wear white for many years not only because it was obligatory for widow but because she said, “When Feroze has gone all the colours of my life have gone too.” In interview with Dom Moraes, she told him, “The death that affected me most was the death of my husband .

His legacy endures not only through his significant contributions to political reforms and his role as a whistleblower against corruption but also through the lasting impact of his personal sacrifices and the enduring affection he held for his family. Despite the controversies and challenges that marked his life, Feroze Gandhi remains a significant figure in India’s history, remembered for his resilience, integrity, and commitment to justice.

Also read :

The Life and Legacy of Syud Hossain: A Journey Through Love, Diplomacy, and Historical Impact