How Ahmednagar fort brought out the best in Nehru

SHIRDI: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wascompelled to spend almost three years in solitude in Ahmednagar, away frompolitical limelight, when the ''Quit India'' movement had pushed the country tothe brink of political war.Nehru''s long imprisonment in Ahmednagar, awayfrom the country''s main political centres, had provided him with sufficient timeto read, write and indulge in his favourite hobby — gardening.Thethinker and historian in Nehru, however, made the best use of his confinement topen down his magnum opus Discovery of India, which hitherto remains amasterpiece on the Indian history.His long incarceration in the Ahmednagarfort prison was probably the only time Nehru got to devote to his creative self.Within a couple of years following his release, Nehru was once again at thecentre of the freedom movement and was later at the helm of the nation''s affairsuntil his death.Nehru was among the 12 members of the Congress WorkingCommittee who were lodged at the Ahmednagar fort prison soon after their arrestfollowing the launch of the Quit India movement on August 8, 1942. Hisco-prisoners included Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, AcharyaNarendra Dev and Acharya J.B. Kripalani.The British had chosen theAhmednagar fort to lodge Nehru and the other national leaders to prevent furtherintensification of the Quit India movement.During his confinement at thefort, Nehru used to work everyday in the rose garden he had developed himself.He had procured the flower seeds from the Pune-based Pocha Seedscompany.According to available records, the prison administration hadprovided Nehru with spades, pick-axes and other gardeningequipment.Although the other political prisoners did not take part in thegardening, Nehru was helped in this task by some other prisoners. Within aweeks, the roses in the garden had blossomed, creating a pleasant mood in theotherwise dull prison atmosphere.During his leisure time, Nehru and theother Congress leaders also played badminton at the badminton court, speciallybuilt for them.Nehru''s co-prisoners celebrated his birthday on November 14in 1942, 1943 and 1944. His imprisonment in the Ahmednagar fort came to an endin March 1945 when the Bombay province government decided to move the imprisonedCongress leaders to their respective provinces.Nehru''s daily programme inthe prison included regular morning exercises, reading various periodicals andbooks, besides gardening.