Khushwant Singh was a novelist, journalist, and lawyer from India. He was a man of many skills who devoted equal amounts of time and effort to the Indian judicial system, Indian journalism, and Indian literature. He was an educated guy who attended a variety of institutions, including the Modern School in New Delhi, the Government College in Lahore, St. Stephen’s College in Delhi, and King’s College in London. He began his professional career as a lawyer but quickly transitioned to the Indian Foreign Service. He served in that capacity for a few years before finding his niche in public communication and journalism. He served as editor of a number of well-known publications and periodicals, including The Illustrated Weekly of India, The National Herald, and The Hindustan Times. Singh was mostly recognized for his writing, and Indian literature is fortunate to have received works from him such as ‘Train to Pakistan’ (1956), ‘Delhi: A Novel’ (1990), ‘The Company of Women’ (1999), ‘Truth, Love, and a Little Malice’ (2002), and ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ridiculous’ (2013). He was granted the Padma Bhushan for his outstanding service to Indian society and culture, but he returned it to the government owing to his strong opposition to Operation Blue Star.
Childhood & Adolescence
Khushwant Singh was born to Sir Sobha Singh in Hadali, Punjab, which is now a part of Pakistan. His father was a notable builder in his era and worked in Lutyen’s Delhi.
Singh earned his education at New Delhi’s Modern School. He also attended Government College in Lahore and afterward attended St. Stephen’s College in New Delhi and King’s College in London for his higher education.
Khushwant Singh’s Career
Singh began his professional career as a lawyer in 1938. His heart was focused on working with and contributing to India’s judicial system. For eight years, he worked diligently and gave his all in the Lahore Court.
He joined the Indian Foreign Services following India’s independence in 1947. (IFS). He began his career with IFS by serving as the Government of India’s Information Officer in Toronto, Canada. Singh thereafter became the Indian High Commission’s Press Attache and Public Officer in London and Ottawa.
He quit the IFS in 1951 to work as a journalist for All India Radio.
He worked at UNESCO’s Department of Mass Communications in Paris from 1954 until 1956. In 1956, he entered the editorial business and began publishing a newspaper named Yojana, which was a government magazine in India.
During his nine-year term as editor of the weekly magazine ‘The Illustrated Weekly’ (1969–1978), the weekly’s circulation increased from 65,000 to 400,000.
He was the editor of the journal ‘Hindustan Times’ from 1980 until 1983. After his tenure as editor ended, he continued to write a widely syndicated column for the newspaper called “With Malice Towards One and All.” The column was well-known for its sardonic wit and humor.
Singh served in the Rajya Sabha, the Indian parliament’s upper house, from 1980 to 1986. It was at this time period that he returned the honor in 1984 in protest of Operation Blue Star.
Singh is the author of numerous notable works, including Train to Pakistan (1956), Delhi: A Novel (1990), The Company of Women (1999), Truth, Love, and a Little Malice (2002), and The Good, the Bad, and the Ridiculous (2013), among others.
His Significant Works
Even though Singh was involved in a variety of endeavors, from the Indian legal system to the Indian Foreign Service to Indian journalism, editorial writing, and novel writing, it was his novels that established him as a global celebrity.
His book ‘A History of the Sikhs is widely considered the definitive source on Sikh history.
Awards and Accomplishments
Khushwant Singh received numerous honors during his lifetime. These include the Padma Bhushan in 1974 (which he returned in 1984 in protest against Operation Blue Star), the Punjab Rattan Award (2006), the Padma Vibhushan (2007), the Sahitya Academy Fellowship Award (2010), the Tata Literature Live! Award (2013), and the King’s College, London Fellowship (2013). (2014).
Personal History and Legacies
Singh married Kawal Malik and together they produced two children: Rahul Singh and Mala Singh.
He died in Delhi on March 20, 2014. His children survive him, and his death was grieved by India’s President, Vice President, and Prime Minister.
Estimated Net worth
Khushwant is one of the wealthiest novelists and is included in the list of the most popular novelists. Khushwant Singh’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, based on our analysis of Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.
Trivia
He took a peg of Scotch – single malt daily, both in the evening and at daybreak.
He self-identified as an agnostic and never said his prayers.
Tisca Chopra, a well-known television and cinema personality, is his granddaughter.