Born on August 1, 1882, Tandon had his education in Lahore. He entered the legal profession in 1906. He joined the Congress in 1899 even as a student. He was associated with the Congress committee which inquired into the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre. He was imprisoned in 1928 for active participation in the non-cooperation movement.
He was imprisoned again during the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. From 1932 onwards he was imprisoned a number of times for organising peasant movements.
Purushottam Das Tandon is one of the patriarchal figures of the Indian National Congress. He presided over the Congress session in Nasik in 1950. He was a staunch champion of Hindi as a national language, and believed in upholding Hindu ideals. He was deeply religious and had considerable influence over the religious sect called the Radhaswamis. He emphasized the essential oneness of Hindu-Muslim culture in spite of palpable differences.
In 1937-38 and again in 1945 he presided over the Uttar Pradesh Legislature as Speaker with great distinction. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952 and the Rajya Sabha in 1956. He retired from active politics in 1956. The Bharat Ratna was conferred upon him on 1961.
He passed away on July 1, 1962.
Chief works of P.D. Tandon : Started career as advocate in Allahabad High Court. Left his profession to join Non-Cooperation Movement. Organised kisans of U.P on provincial basis. 1923, elected President of the U.P. Congress Committee. Prominent leader of Civil Disobedience in U.P. and responsible for No-Rent Campaign among kisans of U.P. In 1937 on Congress formation of Ministry in U.P, elected Speaker of the U.P. Assembly. In detention during 1941 and 1942. Speaker U.P Assembly from 1946-1950. Elected President of the Congress in 1950. Elected to Lok Sabha in 1952 and the Rajya Sabha in 1956.
