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Amrit Kaur Facts & Worksheets

Amrit Kaur was the first health minister and first female cabinet member of independent India

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A princess who left her comfortable and luxurious life behind to be part of India’s independence movement, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was the first health minister and first female cabinet member of independent India.

See the fact file below for more information on Amrit Kaur or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Amrit Kaur worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE

  • Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was born on February 2, 1887, in Lucknow, North-West Provinces, British India, currently Uttar Pradesh, India. She was the youngest child and only daughter of Raja Sir Harnam Singh Ahluwalia and Priscilla Goloknath. They were members of the Kapurthala Royal Family as her father was the second son of Raja Sir Randhir Singh Ahluwalia. 
  • Raja Sir Harnam Singh converted to Christianity, giving up his rights to the throne. Thus, Amrit Kaur was raised in a Christian family as her mother was also a Christian. As a child, Amrit Kaur and her siblings were taught the importance of honesty, kindness, and compassion towards humanity.
  • Amrit Kaur spent her early childhood in Kapurthala, Punjab. She then moved to Dorset, United Kingdom, to attend Sherborne School for Girls. She then attended Oxford University for her college education. She excelled in school and was the “head girl”, and captain of the lacrosse, hockey, and cricket teams.

PARTICIPATION IN THE INDIAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT

  • Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mahatma Gandhi were the influencers of Amrit Kaur’s political ideals. Gokhale was a close friend of Raja Harnam Singh and was said to be the earliest influence on Amrit Kaur. 
  • Mahatma Gandhi, according to Kaur, was the one who fueled her dream and passion for a free India. She stated, “The flames of my passionate desire to free India from foreign domination were fanned by him”. Aside from Gokhale and Gandhi, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre made Kaur so passionate to free India.
  • Even when Kaur was still in the United Kingdom, the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi inspired her. Gandhi and Kaur regularly exchanged letters and in around 1918, Kaur expressed her interest to serve. However, her parents were against it and Gandhi advised her to not go against her parents’ wishes. 
  • Even before returning to India, Amrit Kaur has already started her battle against child marriage, the devadasi system, the purdah system, and child illiteracy. 
  • During British colonial times, the legal marrying age for girls and boys was 14 and 18 years old, respectively. After Indian independence, revisions were made to the legal marrying age. 
  • Amrit Kaur returned to India in 1918 but was not able to participate in the freedom movement until her father’s death in 1930. In 1927, however, Amrit Kaur co-founded the Delhi branch of the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC): the Delhi Women’s League. The AIWC found out that the main impediment to young women’s education was child marriage. 
  • Efforts were made to eradicate child marriage. Known child marriages were reported to the AIWC and they informed parents of the evils of this practice.
  • Two years after the AIWC was established, Kaur dedicated herself to the civil disobedience movement started by the Dandi March which aimed to disobey the British salt laws. The Dandi March was headed by Mahatma Gandhi and joined by other freedom fighters such as Kaur. 
  • Kaur was also asked by Gandhi to become his secretary. She accepted and worked as his secretary for about 17 years.
  • In 1942, Kaur actively participated in the Quit India Movement where she organized various demonstrations and dharnas. Kaur was jailed after the Quit India Movement.
  • India became independent from the British Raj in 1947.

POST-INDIAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT

  • After India acquired independence, Kaur was called upon by Jawaharlal Nehru to become part of his cabinet. She held the health minister position for 10 years.
  • Amrit Kaur was also one of the few women who became part of the constituent assembly. She was a member of the Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights and the Sub-Committee on Minority Rights.
  • As Kaur took on the role of health minister, she laid down the foundations for the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) which was established on February 18, 1956. She served as its president until her death in 1964.
  • She served as president of the Indian Leprosy Association and the Tuberculosis Association, Vice-president of the International Red Cross Society, and chief commissioner of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade of India. She also established the Indian Council of Child Welfare in 1952.

DEATH AND LEGACY

  • In 1947, Kaur was named Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year.
  • Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was given the Rene Sand Memorial Award.
  • She died in New Delhi on February 6, 1964. Although she was a practicing Catholic, she was cremated as per Sikh rituals.
  • Currently, Kaur’s private papers are part of the Archives section of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.

Amrit Kaur Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Amrit Kaur across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching about Amrit Kaur who was the first health minister and first female cabinet member of independent India.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Amrit Kaur Fact File
  • Her Truth
  • Her Story
  • Her Core Values
  • Her Causes
  • Her Leadership
  • Her Roles
  • Thanking Her
  • Acrostic for Amrit
  • A Remarkable Woman
  • Open Letter

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Rajkumari Amrit Kaur?

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (1889-1964) was an influential Indian politician, social reformer, and freedom fighter. She was born into a royal family in the princely state of Kapurthala, Punjab, India.

Did Rajkumari Amrit Kaur receive any awards or recognition?

Yes, Amrit Kaur received several awards and honors for her contributions. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 1954. Additionally, she received the Gandhi Peace Prize posthumously in 1999 for her outstanding work in public service and social development.

How is Rajkumari Amrit Kaur remembered today?

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur is remembered as a trailblazer in Indian politics and a champion for social causes. Her contributions to public health and women’s rights continue to inspire future generations. The Amrit Kaur College of Nursing in New Delhi is named in her honor, preserving her legacy in the field of healthcare education.

When was Amrit Kaur born?

Amrit Kaur was born on February 2, 1887, in Lucknow, North-West Provinces, British India, currently Uttar Pradesh, India

What is Amrit Kaur famous for?

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