The story behind Indira Gandhi's marriage and more; check some unknown facts

The only daughter of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi was destined for politics. First appointed prime minister in 1966, she garnered widespread public support.

On her 101st birth anniversary, here are some unknown facts about the Iron Lady of India.

#Her husband Feroze Gandhi or Feroze Khan was a son of Nawab Khan, a supplier of wine to her ancestral home at Allahabad. She fell into a romantic relationship with Feroze Khan who often used to visit her house. This secret of hers was also revealed by the then Governor of Maharashtra to her father.

#Indira Gandhi changed her name to Maimuna Baigum in order to get married with Feroze Khan. The marriage took place in London.

#Indira Gandhi was expelled from the Oxford University for her unmeritorious performance. Her father, Nehru, then got her admitted into Shantiniketan University where she didn't rise to the expectations of Guru Rabindranath Tagore who often used to admonish her.

#Indira Gandhi had different romantic affairs. First with her German teacher, at Shantiniketan, who used to teach her English. Then came M O Mathai, her father's secretary. She then caught affinity for his famous Yoga teacher, Dhirendra Brahmchari. Her last love affair was with Dinesh Singh, the then Foreign Minister. And this sizzling fact was exposed by Katherine Frank in her book 'The life of Indira Nehru Gandhi'.

#In June 1975, Indira was found guilty of electoral malpractice. When rivals began advocating for her removal as prime minister, she opted to declare a state of emergency. Emergency rule would be a black moment for India's democracy, with opponents imprisoned and press freedoms limited. Perhaps most shockingly, millions of people were sterilized — some against their will — during this period.

#Rajiv Gandhi's wife Sonia Gandhi real name was 'Antonia Maino' who was a Catholic and a daughter of a mason. Her father was an ill-famous naxalite of a fascist regime in Italy. He had also spent 5 years in prison in Russia.