Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Cheddi Jagan

Role / Field:

Pioneering Guyanese politician and dentist, key figure in the struggle for independence.

Born:

1918-03-22

Died:

1997-03-06

Century / Era:

1918s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Cheddi Berret Jagan (22 March 1918 – 6 March 1997) was a Guyanese politician and dentist who was first elected Chief Minister in 1953 and later Premier of British Guiana from 1961 to 1964. He later served as President of Guyana from 1992 to his death in 1997. In 1953, he became the first Hindu and person of Indian descent to be a head of government outside of the Indian subcontinent. Jagan founded the People's Progressive Party along with his wife Janet and Forbes Burnham, and served as the first leader of the party.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Jagan was a leading figure in the campaign for the independence of Guyana from the United Kingdom, and advocated for increased powers for trade unions at a time when British Guiana's economy was dominated by powerful foreign enterprises. Jagan lost his position as Prime Minister to Forbes Burnham following the 1964 British Guiana general election, and Burnham would become Guyana's first Head of Government following independence. 28 years later, Jagan was elected president in the 1992 Guyanese general election, which was regarded as the first "free and fair" election since 1964. Cheddi Berret (anglicized corruption of "Bharat") Jagan was born on 22 March...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheddi Jagan