Amrit Kaur

This article is about Amrit Kaur, the Indian activist and politician. For the Indian princess, see Amrit Kaur of Mandi. For the Canadian actress, see Amrit Kaur (actress).

Dame
Amrit Kaur
A South Asian woman of middle age, her head covered with a shawl
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, from a 1936 issue of The Indian Listener
Born(1887-02-02)2 February 1887
Lucknow, North-Western Provinces, British India (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India)
Died6 February 1964(1964-02-06) (aged 75)
New Delhi, India
Organization(s)St John Ambulance,
Tuberculosis Association,
Indian Red Cross, All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Political partyIndian National Congress
MovementIndian independence movement
Minister of Health
In office
16 August 1947 – 16 April 1957
Prime MinisterJawaharlal Nehru
Preceded byPost established
Succeeded byD. P. Karmakar (as MoS)
Personal details
Parent(s)Harnam Singh
Priscilla Golaknath

Rajkumari Dame Bibiji Amrit Kaur (née Ahluwalia) DStJ (2 February 1887 – 6 February 1964) was an Indian activist and politician. Following her long-lasting association with the Indian independence movement, she was appointed the first Health Minister of India in 1947 and remained in office until 1957.[1] She also held the charge of Sports Minister and Urban Development Minister and was instrumental in setting up the National Institute of Sports, Patiala.[2][3] During her tenure, Kaur ushered in several healthcare reforms in India and is widely remembered for her contributions to the sector and her advocacy of women's rights.[4] Kaur was also a member of the Constituent Assembly of India, the body that framed the Constitution of India.[5][6]

  1. ^ "Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, 75, Dies; India's First Minister of Health; Gandhi's Secretary 17 Years, a Princess, Led Campaign to Eradicate Malaria". The New York Times. 7 February 1964. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Who was Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, named in TIME's magazine list of 100 influential women?". The Indian Express. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  3. ^ Campbell, Alexander. "INDIA'S GIRLS: FROM PURDAH TO THE PLAYING FIELDS". Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  4. ^ Gupta, Sahima (6 February 2018). "Meet Rajkumari Amrit Kaur: India's First Health Minister | #IndianWomenInHistory". Feminism in India. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Rajkumari Amrit Kaur". Constitution of India. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).