Khushwant Singh, Writer, Journalist
Writer, Journalist

Khushwant Singh

Born 2 February 1915 · Pakistan — Died 20 March 2014

Wrote the novel Train to Pakistan inspired by the 1947 Partition of India.

Khushwant Singh FKC was an Indian author, lawyer, diplomat, journalist and politician. His experience in the 1947 Partition of India inspired him to write Train to Pakistan in 1956, which became his most well-known novel.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Khushwant Singh’s school birthdate of 2 February 1915 was actually fabricated by his father for enrollment, while his grandmother claimed he was born in August, leading Singh to later choose 15 August as his own birthday.

The Story

1
In 1947, Khushwant Singh left his legal career in Lahore High Court to join the Indian Foreign Service at the moment of India’s independence, marking a drastic shift from law to diplomacy.
2
🌍 Between 1954 and 1956, Singh worked in UNESCO’s Department of Mass Communications in Paris, an experience that deepened his commitment to journalism and writing.
3✍️ In 1956, he published "Train to Pakistan," a novel born from his direct experiences during the Partition of 1947, capturing the brutal human cost of that division with unflinching realism.
4As editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India in the late 1970s, Singh transformed its circulation from 65,000 to 400,000 by fearlessly tackling taboo subjects like sexuality and politics.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan
—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Khushwant Singh was born Khushal Singh in Hadali, Punjab (now in Pakistan), but changed his name to avoid childhood teasing; his chosen name was initially self-manufactured and meaningless.

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh releasing Khushwant Singh's book in New Delhi (2006)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh releasing Khushwant Singh's book in New Delhi (2006)
2006
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Vibhushan to Khushwant Singh in New Delhi (2007)
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee presenting National Amity Award to Khushwant Singh in New Delhi (2008)
Khushwant Singh portrait clearly showing the noted Indian writer (2009)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Khushwant Singh's birth in Hadali, Punjab
Born as Khushal Singh in what is now Pakistan, his birthdate was later adjusted for school enrollment purposes.
1915
⚡
Career
Begins legal practice in Lahore
Started practicing law at Lahore High Court after completing LL.B. and being called to the London Inner Temple bar.
1939
⚡
Career
Joins Indian Foreign Service
Switched career from law to diplomacy immediately following India’s independence.
1947
⚡
Career
Joins All India Radio as journalist
Started journalism career, marking a shift from diplomacy to mass communication.
1951
📖
Publication
Publishes 'Train to Pakistan'
Novel based on Partition experiences becomes his most famous literary work.
1956
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the third-highest civilian award from the Government of India for literature.
1974
⚡
Career
Nominated to Rajya Sabha
Served as nominated Member of Parliament until 1986, engaging in debates on communal issues and national unity.
1980
🌟
Other
Returns Padma Bhushan
Returned award in protest against Operation Blue Star military action in Amritsar.
1984
🕊️
Death
Khushwant Singh passes away
Died at age 99, leaving behind a vast legacy in literature and journalism.
2014
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

In 1974, Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan but returned it in 1984 protesting the Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star, a rare public act of dissent by a prominent literary figure.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

During his tenure at The Illustrated Weekly of India, Singh increased the magazine’s circulation more than sixfold, from 65,000 to 400,000 readers, by addressing taboo topics openly.

03 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Khushwant Singh studied law at King's College London and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple, yet he left a promising legal career to serve as a diplomat immediately after India’s independence in 1947.

“

"History is the essence of innumerable biographies."

— Khushwant Singh

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Khushwant Singh on the book 'The Goddess of Small Things'
More from this archive
Khushwant Singh on the book 'The Goddess of Small Things'
01
Khushwant Singh on the book 'The Goddess of Small Things'
India Rejtelmei-The Mysteries of India - Khushwant Singh (1915-2014)
02
India Rejtelmei-The Mysteries of India - Khushwant Singh (1915-2014)
Biography of Khushwant Singh, India's best known writer and founder editor of Yojana Magazine
03
Biography of Khushwant Singh, India's best known writer and founder editor of Yojana Magazine
Khushwant Singh | Author & Lawyer | Baaton Baaton mein
04
Khushwant Singh | Author & Lawyer | Baaton Baaton mein
Khushwant Singh: Writer, journalist, historian
05
Khushwant Singh: Writer, journalist, historian
Khushwant Singh Author-Journalist on mushairas, red light areas with courtesans, mujras at Partition
06
Khushwant Singh Author-Journalist on mushairas, red light areas with courtesans, mujras at Partition
Candid interview on the Partition, history and present day Delhi | Khushwant Singh
07
Candid interview on the Partition, history and present day Delhi | Khushwant Singh
Khushwant Singh Story: अंग्रेज़ी के मशहूर लेखक Khushwant Singh के अनसुने किस्से.Vivechna (BBC Hindi)
08
Khushwant Singh Story: अंग्रेज़ी के मशहूर लेखक Khushwant Singh के अनसुने किस्से.Vivechna (BBC Hindi)
Khushwant Singh
09
Khushwant Singh
Khushwant Singh 29 9 1999
10
Khushwant Singh 29 9 1999

🌱 What changed because of them

Khushwant Singh reshaped Indian journalism by pushing open doors on taboo subjects and infusing secular critique into public discourse, influencing editorial standards at major publications like The Illustrated Weekly of India. His vivid portrayal of Partition in "Train to Pakistan" brought the human tragedy of 1947 into the literary mainstream, while his parliamentary interventions highlighted the complexities of communal and regional identities in modern India. His decision to return the Padma Bhushan set a precedent for literary dissent against government policy.

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