PERSONAL INFORMATION
Other name: Karpuri Thakur
Nickname: Jan Nayak
Profession(s): • Politician • Freedom Fighter
Famous for: Serving as Chief Minister of Bihar twice
Date of Birth: 24 January 1924 (Thursday)
Birthplace: Pitaunjhia village (now Karpoorigram), Samastipur, Bihar, India
Age (at the time of death): 64 Years
Zodiac sign: Aquarius
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Samastipur
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Nai (Hajjam) (mainly worked as a barber) [1] India Today
Age: 64 Years
Check Out Other Celebrities Biography
- riyaz aly tiktok star biography
- janhvi kapoor biography
- neal katyal biography
- vishal mishra biography
- sneha paul biography
EDUCATION
School: Local village school
College/University: C.M. College, Darbhanga
Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (BA) Dropout
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″ (172 cm)
Eye Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status (at the time of death): Married
Wife/Spouse: Phooleshwari Devi (Homemaker)
Children: Son – 2 • Ram Nath Thakur (Elder, politician and Rajya Sabha – upper house of the Indian parliament, MP from Janata Dal (United) (also known as JDU) • Birendra (also spelt as Virendra) Kumar Thakur (Younger, Doctor) Daughter – 1 (Name not known)
Parents: Father – Gokul Thakur (Barber & Farmer) Mother – Ramdulari Devi (Homemaker)
Siblings: Brother – 2 • Ramsugat Thakur (Younger) Sister – 6 • Galho • Siya • Rajo • Sita • Parvati • Shail
Wife: Phooleshwari Devi
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards, Honours: • Karpoori Thakur’s birthplace, Pitaunjhia, was renamed Karpuri Gram after he died in 1988 • The Department of Posts released a commemorative stamp in his memory in 1991 and 2024 • Bharat Ratna by the Government of India in 2024 • Commemorative coin of denomination Rupees 100 launched in 2024 • Several colleges, schools, and stadiums are named after him in Bihar • Jan Nayak Express Train running between Darbhanga and Amritsar
OTHER INFORMATION
Political Party: • Socialist Party • Bharatiya Kranti Dal • Janata Party • Lok Dal
Political Journey: • 1952- Became MLA for the first time from Tajpur constituency as a Socialist Party candidate • 5 March 1967 to 31 January 1968- Served as the Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister of Bihar • 22 December 1970 to 2 June 1971- First term as the Chief Minister of Bihar • 1977- Became an MP for the first time from Samastipur constituency • 24 June 1977 to 21 April 1979- Second tenure as the Chief Minister of Bihar • 1980- Became MLA from Samastipur (Legislative Assembly constituency) as a Janata Party (Secular) candidate • 1984- Lost 1984 general elections amid Indira Gandhi’s wave • 1985- Became MLA from Sonbarsa constituency
Date of Death: 17 February 1988
Place of Death: Patna, Bihar, India
Death Cause: Cardiac Arrest
Other Relatives: Grandfather – Pyare Thakur Daughter-in-law – Kumari Asha Rani (Ram Nath’s wife, died in 2020) Daughter-in-law – Kanaklata Thakur (Birendra’s wife) Paternal Nephew – Nityanand Thakur (Ramsugat’s son, a head clerk in Gokhul Karpoori Phuleshwari Degree College, Karpoorigram, Samastipur) Paternal Nephew’s Wife – Nisha Thakur (Anganwadi worker, Wife of Nityanand Thakur) Granddaughters – 4 Ram Nath Thakur’s Daughters • Namita • Sneha • Amrita (works in the Bihar government) Birendra Thakur’s Daughter • Jagriti Thakur (Doctor, married to Mritunjay Madhav, a Divisional Forest Officer at Himachal Pradesh Forest Department) Grandson – 1 • Abhinav Vikas Thakur (Cardiologist, from his younger son Birendra Thakur) Great Grandson – Aditya Anmol (Namita’s son, lives in California and holds a master’s degree in public policy)
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Karpoori Thakur, a prominent figure in Bihar’s political landscape, was widely regarded as a mass leader dedicated to the upliftment of the poor and those belonging to backward castes. His political journey was marked by numerous electoral victories and significant ministerial roles, including two terms as the Chief Minister of Bihar, along with positions as Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister. His commitment to social justice and the rights of marginalized communities earned him the posthumous Bharat Ratna in 2024, India’s highest civilian award, reflecting the profound impact he left on the state and the nation.
Thakur’s journey into politics began with his participation in the Indian independence movement, spurred by attending Acharya Narendra Dev’s rally in 1938 in Khudiram Bose’s village Waini. Influenced by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and local leader Satyanarayan Sinha, he showcased a commitment to education by establishing a library in his village while still a student. His dedication to learning led him to teach at a local school, but his activism against colonial rule resulted in imprisonment for 26 months from 1942 to 1945. Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at C.M. College in Darbhanga, Thakur’s passion for social change ultimately led him to forgo his studies and enter the political arena after being inspired by Ram Manohar Lohia.
Thakur’s political career began in earnest after he became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 1952. He served multiple terms as both an MLA and an MP, primarily representing Samastipur, with only one electoral defeat in 1984, attributed to the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination. His policies during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister in 1967 were transformative; he removed English as a compulsory subject from education, made schooling free until the eighth standard, and established Urdu as the second state language. As Chief Minister, Thakur took bold steps, including imposing a ban on liquor sales and advancing land reforms aimed at benefiting small-scale farmers.
Thakur’s commitment to social justice was evident in his implementation of reservation policies for backward castes and OBCs in government jobs, which sparked considerable controversy and pushback from detractors. Nonetheless, his policies became known as the Karpoori Formula and led to significant socio-political changes in Bihar. His efforts extended beyond mere policy; he actively participated in protests for the rights of workers and was known for his humble lifestyle, often prioritizing social service over personal gain. Even in times of personal tragedy, such as when his son required urgent medical treatment, Thakur chose to seek assistance through public means rather than government privileges. His life was characterized by a consistent rejection of dynastic politics, insisting that his children pursue careers outside of politics, thus solidifying his legacy as a champion of the underprivileged and a role model for future generations.
—
Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.