In Pics | 11 lesser-known facts about Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru was a key figure in India's freedom struggle against British rule and played a pivotal role in the implementation of notions such as secularism in the country. He became the first Prime Minister of independent India. Here are 10 facts about him on his 133rd birth anniversary:

In Pics | 11 lesser-known facts about Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Before immersing himself in India's freedom struggle, Nehru was training to be an advocate like his father, Motilal Nehru. Credit: Twitter/@jnmfsm

A socialist by belief, Nehru's ideologies were vastly inspired by the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and his visit to the USSR in 1927. When he became India's first Prime Minister after independence, he modelled the country as a 'mixed economy', taking inspiration from his Soviet trip. Credit: Getty Images

After the Lahore session of Congress in 1929, Jawaharlal Nehru became the national icon for the Independence struggle. Credit: Twitter/@jnmfsm

During the freedom struggle, Nehru spent 3,259 days in jail. He used to campaign against Indian oppression by the British in the form of indentured labour and other gross violations of rights. Credit: DH Pool Photo

In the 60s, he played a key role in the formation and operation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). NAM was a platform for newly liberated third-world colonies to empower each other during the Cold War while staying away from the two power blocs (Communist and Capitalist). It opposed

Nehru survived four recorded assassination attempts - in 1947, 1955, 1956, and 1961. Credit: Twitter/@jnmfsm

Nehru was among the prominent faces of the Congress's left-wing faction since the 1920s, and it was around that time when he became the first to table the demand for a completely 'independent India' to the British. Credit: DH Pool Photo

Nehru held the position of Indian National Congress president on two occasions -- in 1919 and 1928. Credit: DH Pool Photo

Nehru took charge as PM on August 15, 1947, and delivered the famous speech

Nehru's birth anniversary is celebrated as 'Children's Day' in India because of his advocacy for the cause of children's education. He was popularly called 'Chacha Nehru' by children. Credit: DH Pool Photo

1.5 million people had gathered in the streets of Delhi on the day after his death to mourn Nehru. Credit: Twitter/@jnmfsm