Explanation: To understand the correct answer, it is essential to review the sequence of Prime Ministers of India after independence. The first Prime Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru, who served from 1947 until his death in 1964. Following Nehru's death, there was a brief interim period during which Gulzarilal Nanda served as Prime Minister for a short time. However, the second official Prime Minister of India was Lal Bahadur Shastri, who took office in 1964 and served until his death in 1966.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a key figure in the Indian independence movement and a close associate of Jawaharlal Nehru. He held several important positions in the Indian government, including Home Minister, before becoming Prime Minister. Shastri's tenure was marked by significant events, including the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, during which he introduced the slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" to boost the morale of the Indian armed forces and farmers.
It is important to distinguish between interim Prime Ministers and those who held the office for a longer period. Gulzarilal Nanda served as interim Prime Minister twice, but these were brief periods and do not count as full terms. Rajendra Prasad, while a significant political figure, was the first President of India, not a Prime Minister.
Indira Gandhi, the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, became the third Prime Minister of India after Lal Bahadur Shastri's death. Her tenure was long and marked by significant political events, which might lead to confusion about her position in the sequence of Prime Ministers.
In summary, the second Prime Minister of India was Lal Bahadur Shastri, who succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru and served until his death in 1966. Understanding the sequence of Prime Ministers and their contributions is crucial for comprehending the political history of post-independence India.