On January 19, 1966, India witnessed a pivotal moment in its political history with Indira Gandhi's ascent to the office of Prime Minister. This event marked a milestone as she became the first woman to hold the position in India.

Following the unexpected death of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent in January 1966, the Indian National Congress (INC) found itself in need of a new leader. Shastri's death created a power vacuum, leading to a leadership contest within the Congress Party. Indira Gandhi, the daughter of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, stepped forward as a contender.

Indira Gandhi's path to the Prime Ministership was not without challenges. She faced a formidable opponent in Morarji Desai, a veteran politician and former Finance Minister. The Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) held a secret ballot on January 19, 1966, to elect their leader. In a closely watched contest, Indira Gandhi secured 355 votes, defeating Desai who received 169 votes.

On January 24, 1966, Indira Gandhi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India by President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Her appointment was welcomed by many, including in Pakistan, where she was seen as more suited to succeed Shastri than Desai.

Indira Gandhi's initial years as Prime Minister were marked by both challenges and criticisms. Some political leaders initially perceived her as weak, even referring to her as a "dumb doll," hoping to manipulate her. Despite these perceptions, she proved to be a strong and decisive leader, centralizing power within the executive branch.

During her first term, Indira Gandhi addressed various socio-economic challenges facing India. Her government devalued the Indian rupee in June 1966. She also focused on issues such as poverty, leading the Congress Party to a landslide victory in the 1971 elections.

Indira Gandhi's tenure was not without controversy. In 1975, she declared a national state of emergency, a period marked by political repression. This decision led to a significant backlash, and in 1977, the INC lost the elections for the first time in India's history.

Despite the setbacks, Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980. However, her second term was cut short when she was assassinated on October 31, 1984. Despite the controversies and challenges, Indira Gandhi remains a towering figure in Indian political history. Her rise to Prime Minister in 1966 broke barriers and paved the way for women in Indian politics.