Jayaprakash Narayan – Biography and the Total Revolution

Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), also called Lok Nayak, was a freedom fighter, socialist leader and social reformer closely associated with Bihar.

Quick facts

• Born: 11 October 1902, Sitabdiara village (Saran–Ballia border).
• Died: 8 October 1979, Patna.
• Award: Bharat Ratna (posthumous, 1999).

Contributions

• Quit India Movement (1942): escaped from Hazaribagh jail and led an underground movement.
• Socialist politics: a founder of the Congress Socialist Party.
• Bhoodan movement: supported Acharya Vinoba Bhave's land-gift campaign.
• Total Revolution (1974): a movement that began in Bihar and called for broad political, social and moral change.

Why he matters for exams

JP is frequently asked in Bihar GK and modern history. Remember his title Lok Nayak, the 1974 movement and the Bharat Ratna honour.