Father of the Nation facts for kids
The Father of the Nation is an honorific title given to a person considered the driving force behind the establishment of his country, state, or a nation. Pater Patriae (plural Patres Patriae), also seen as Parens Patriae, was a Roman honorific meaning the "Father of the Fatherland", bestowed by the Senate on heroes, and later on emperors. In monarchies, the monarch was often considered the "father/mother of the nation" or as a patriarch to guide his family. This concept is expressed in the Divine Right espoused in some monarchies, while in others it is codified into constitutional law as in Spain, where the monarch is considered the personification and embodiment, the symbol of the unity and permanence of the nation. The title "Father of the Nation" however is politically contested, e.g. in 1972 the Constitution of Bangladesh declared Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to be "father of the nation". The BNP government removed this in 2004, to the protests of the opposition Awami League, led by Rahman's daughter Sheikh Hasina.
List
The following Gentlemen are still often called the "Father" of their respective nations.
| Name | Nation | Title (native) | Title (translation) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |
 Bangladesh |
Jatira Pita (জাতির পিতা) Jatira Janak (জাতির জনক) or Bongobondhu (বঙ্গবন্ধু) (Bengali: — "Friend of Bengal") | Father of the Nation | Revolutionary Leader of the Founder of Bangladesh, and current Father of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. |
Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi |
 India |
In most Indian languages: ISAT:Rāśhțrapitā Devanagari:राष्ट्रपिता |
Father of the Nation/Great Soul of India | This title was not an official title and has no records in the National Archives of India. Indian constitution (Art. 18) prohibits the State from conferring any titles. Origin of this title is traced back to a radio address (on Singapore radio) on 6 July 1944 by Subhash Chandra Bose where Bose addressed Gandhi as "The Father of the Nation". |
| Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah |
 Pakistan |
Quaid-i-Azam, (Urdu: — "Great Leader") (قائدِ اعظم) & Baba-i-Quam, (Urdu: — "Father of Pakistan") (بابائے قوم) & Ban-i-Pakistan, (Urdu: — "Founder of Pakistan") (بانی پاکستان) | Father of the Nation/Great Leader of the Muslims of India | Statesman and the founder of Pakistan, leading member of the Muslim League and First for Governor-General of Pakistan in 1947. Stanley Wolpert summarises the profound effect that Jinnah had on the world:
|
Nelson Mandela |
 South Africa |
Tata wethu | Father of the Nation | First President of post-apartheid South Africa, A member of the (ANC) political party, he served president of the ANC's (1991-1997). |
Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor.jpg) |
 United Kingdom |
The Last Emperor of India, King George VI | Father of the Nation, Late Father of War Time | First Native King of the Commonwealth and House of Windsor. |
George Washington |
 United States |
Revolutionary American Chief of the United States & One of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. | Father of his country | George Washington is particularly highlighted out of "The Founding Father of American Patriot" as being the "Father of his country" for his role as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, his resignation of command at the end of the war, the presidency of the Constitutional Convention and for Presidency of George Washington (and George Washington's Farewell Address) as the first President of the United States. |
Images for kids
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Mahatma Gandhi, India's Father of the Nation, is a figure celebrated in numerous nations and by international organisations, a departure from most titleholders.
See also
In Spanish: Padre de la Patria para niños
