214 Abode of Gods-
United Provinces. In 1927 lie was elected President of the U.P.
Congress Committee. In 1928 he received serious head injuries
while demonstrating against Simon Commission, but luckily his-
intellectual brilliance stood unruffled, in 1931 he was elected
member of Congress Executive Committee and few years later
in 1937 when Congress came to power he became its first
Premier in Uttar Pradesh, it was at this stage when he showed
signs of keen political insight and superb administrative qualities
which enabled him not only to keep the party machinery united
together and moving but succeeded in bringing home numerous-
progressive reforms for his people.
The year 1942 saw him in dynamic action.
Administrator
In 1947 he became first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in-
free India and continued to be so till 1956 when he was called
to join the central cabinet. It was here that every facet of the
life of state bore the imprint of his personality and made rapid
strides towards self sufficiency through his agrarian and economic
reforms. He abolished zamindari and laid emphasis on small
scale industries but the most characteristic point of his administra-
tion was the maintenance of law and order at a time when rest
of India was being rocked by communal disturbances. This
attracted the attention of Mr. Nehru who ultimately called him
to join central cabinet as Home Minister, in which capacity he
remained till his death on 7th March 1961. A13 through his
years of sweat and toil he carved out a distinguished place for
himself because of his unrivalled knowledge of men and affairs,
figures and facts* unfailing skill in handling complicated issues,
and disposing even his rivals with a sense of satisfaction.
Parliamentarian
Above all he was a great parliamentarian. Whenever govern-
ment found itself in deep water due to stiff opposition on matters
of national and international importance, inside and outside
parliament, it was his privilege to tear into shreds the opposi-
tion with the deftness of a lawyer. He never missed a point
and showed uncanny coolness in the midst of turmoil, wisdom
.when confusion was widespread, decision when indecision was.