1. Introduction
Khushwant Singh (1915–2014) was one of India’s most widely read, fearless, and provocative authors, journalists, and public intellectuals. Known for his sharp wit, secular outlook, love for poetry, and penchant for absolute candor, he left an indelible mark on Indian literature and journalism. Whether capturing the human tragedy of the 1947 Partition in his classic novel Train to Pakistan or entertaining millions through his weekly column “With Malice towards One and All,” Singh was an unmatched chronicler of his times.
2. Quick Facts
- Full Name: Khushwant Singh (born Khushal Singh)
- Native Name: ਖুਸ਼ਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ (Punjabi) / खुशवंत सिंह (Hindi)
- Date of Birth: February 2, 1915
- Place of Birth: Hadali, Punjab Province, British India (now in Punjab, Pakistan)
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation/Profession: Author, Journalist, Lawyer, Diplomat, Politician
- Field of Achievement: English Literature, Journalism, and Sikh History
- Years Active: 1939–2014
3. Award Information (Focus: Padma Vibhushan)
- Award Name: Padma Vibhushan
- Award Category: Literature and Education
- Award Year: 2007
- Presented By: President of India (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam)
- Date of Ceremony: March/April 2007
- Citation/Official Reason: For exceptional and distinguished service to the fields of literature and journalism.
- Previous Recipients: Distinguished national and international personalities in preceding batches.
- Next Recipients: Subsequent Padma Vibhushan laureates in 2008.
4. Why They Received the Award
Khushwant Singh received the Padma Vibhushan (India’s second-highest civilian honor) in 2007 to recognize his lifetime achievement and monumental impact on Indian literature, freedom of speech, and journalism. It also served as a national acknowledgment of his decades-long career defining the voice of independent Indian media, shaping editorial standards, and producing historic literature that captured the soul and scars of the nation.
(Note: He was earlier awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974, which he famously returned in 1984 as a mark of protest against the Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple).
5. Early Life
Khushwant Singh was born into a wealthy, influential Punjabi Sikh family. His father, Sir Sobha Singh, was a prominent builder and real estate magnate who played a massive role in designing and constructing New Delhi. Growing up shuttling between the royal splendor of Delhi and his ancestral roots in Punjab, Singh had an unconventional childhood. He initially studied in modern urban schools before heading abroad, developing an early appreciation for diverse cultures, Western literature, and independent thought.
6. Education
- Schooling: Modern School, New Delhi, and Government College, Lahore.
- Undergraduate: St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and Government College, Lahore, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).
- Legal Studies: King’s College London, where he completed his LL.B. and was later called to the Bar from the Inner Temple.
7. Career Journey
- Legal Practice: Practiced as a lawyer at the Lahore High Court from 1939 to 1947.
- Diplomatic Service: Joined the newly independent Indian Ministry of External Affairs in 1947, serving as a diplomat and press attaché in Ottawa and London.
- Media & Publishing: Entered journalism with All India Radio in 1951, worked with UNESCO in Paris (1954–1956), and went on to edit some of India’s most influential publications including Yojana, The Illustrated Weekly of India, National Herald, and The Hindustan Times.
- Parliamentary Service: Served as a nominated Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from 1980 to 1986.
8. Major Achievements
- Literary Masterpiece: Authored Train to Pakistan (1956), which won the Grove Press India Award and remains the definitive fictional account of the human cost of the 1947 Partition.
- Definitive Historian: Wrote the monumental two-volume authority, A History of the Sikhs, which remains standard reading for scholars.
- Iconic Columnist: Penned “With Malice towards One and All,” arguably India’s most widely read, witty, and irreverent newspaper column for decades.
9. Contribution to the Nation
Singh used his sharp pen to champion secularism, free speech, and human rights while ruthlessly mocking hypocrisy, religious fundamentalism, and political corruption. Through his editorial leadership at The Illustrated Weekly of India, he turned a staid colonial-era magazine into a bold, fearless mirror of modern India, dealing with topics ranging from social taboos to political crises. He also fostered generations of young journalists and writers.
10. Other Awards and Honours
- Padma Bhushan (1974) – Returned in 1984.
- Punjab Rattan Award (2006) – Conferred by the Government of Punjab.
- Honest Man of the Year Award (2000) – Presented by Sulabh International for his fearless, uncompromising writing.
- Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2010) – The highest literary honor granted by India’s National Academy of Letters.
11. Legacy and Influence
Khushwant Singh redefined public intellectualism in India. He broke Victorian molds in Indian writing by introducing accessible prose, unabashed humor, and an absolute rejection of self-righteousness. His famous self-composed epitaph—“Malice towards none, lust for none”—captures his free-spirited, epicurean, and fiercely independent approach to life and letters.
12. Interesting Facts
- He was a self-confessed agnostic and a non-believer who nevertheless translated sacred Sikh texts and maintained a deep cultural attachment to Gurbani.
- Despite living a high-profile life among Delhi’s political and literary elite, he followed an intensely disciplined daily schedule: waking up at dawn, writing longhand, swimming, and going to bed by 9:00 PM.
- He loved Scotch whiskey, good gossip, and mentoring young authors, keeping his doors open to anyone who wanted to drop by for a chat.
13. Quotes
“Men are like transport – they come in three classes: first, second and third.”
“Write about people, not about abstract ideas. Keep it short, and never use a long word where a short one will do.”
14. Timeline
- 1915: Born on February 2 in Hadali, Punjab.
- 1939: Begins practice as a lawyer at the Lahore High Court.
- 1947: Joins the Indian Foreign Service following independence.
- 1956: Publishes his internationally acclaimed novel, Train to Pakistan.
- 1969–1978: Serves as the legendary editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India.
- 1974: Awarded the Padma Bhushan.
- 1980–1986: Serves as a Member of the Rajya Sabha.
- 1984: Returns his Padma Bhushan in protest against Operation Blue Star.
- 2007: Conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the President of India.
- 2014: Passes away on March 20 in New Delhi at the age of 99.
15. References
- Singh, Khushwant. Truth, Love and a Little Malice: An Autobiography. Viking / Penguin Books, 2002.
- Wikipedia contributors. “Khushwant Singh.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
- Archives of The Hindustan Times and The Illustrated Weekly of India.
16. Related Personalities
- Sir Sobha Singh (Father and prominent builder of New Delhi)
- Rahul Singh (Son and veteran journalist)
- Nergis Dalal (Noted contemporary journalist and writer friend)
17. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Khushwant Singh’s most famous book?
- A: His most famous book is the 1956 novel Train to Pakistan, which explores the harrowing reality of the 1947 Partition.
- Q: Why did Khushwant Singh return his Padma Bhushan?
- A: He returned his Padma Bhushan in 1984 to protest the Indian Army’s military action (Operation Blue Star) inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
- Q: What was the name of his famous newspaper column?
- A: His widely read weekly column was titled “With Malice towards One and All.”
About the Author
