Mrrajrumel at 03:39, 28 March 2026

2026-03-28T03:39:29Z

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{{Short description|Indian diplomat, Prince of Aundh, Gandhian, writer and freedom fighter}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[His Excellency]]
| honorific_suffix = [[Padma Shri|PS]]
| name = Apasaheb Balasaheb Pant
| image = Jomo Kenyatta Apa Pant and Acheing Oneko.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = [[Jomo Kenyatta]], Apa Pant and [[Achieng Oneko]]
| office = [[List of High Commissioners of India to the United Kingdom|High Commissioner
of India to the United Kingdom]]
| term_start = 15 September 1969
| term_end = October 1972
| predecessor = S. S. Dhawan
| successor = [[Braj Kumar Nehru]]
| birth_date = 11 September 1912
| birth_place = [[Aundh State]], [[British India]] (present-day [[Maharashtra]], India)
| death_date = {{death date and age|1992|10|05|1912|09|11|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| resting_place_coordinates =
| occupation = Diplomat, freedom fighter
| yearsactive =
| known for =
| alma_mater = [[University of Bombay]]<br />[[University of Oxford]]
| father = [[Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi]]
| website =
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (1954)
}}

'''Appasaheb Pant''' (1912–1992), also known as '''Apa Pant''',<ref>see for instance declassified file no. 7(4)-P, 1955 at the National Archives of India, available on line via https://www.abhilekh-patal.in/</ref> '''Appa Pant''', '''Appa Sahib Pant''', '''Appsaheb Balasaheb Pant''', '''Parashuram-rao Pant''' (Parashuram being his first name), was an Indian diplomat, Prince of [[Aundh State|Aundh]], [[Gandhian]], writer and [[Indian freedom movement|freedom fighter]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Guyot-Réchard |first=Bérénice |date=2022 |title=Stirring Africa towards India: Apa Pant and the Making of Post-Colonial Diplomacy, 1948–54 |url=https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/files/177598996/Stirring_Africa_towards_India_GUYOT_RECHARD_Publishedonline15July2022_GOLD_VoR_CC_BY_NC_ND.pdf |journal=The International History Review |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=892–913 |doi=10.1080/07075332.2022.2093941 |s2cid=250598023 |issn=0707-5332}}</ref><ref name="Benegal">{{cite web | url=https://benegal.com/pant/apa.htm | title=Benegal | publisher=Benegal |year=2015 | accessdate=30 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="Awaaz Magazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.awaazmagazine.com/index.php/component/k2/item/170-apa-pant-in-east-africa |work=Awaaz Magazine |date=1 November 2011 |accessdate=30 March 2015|title=Apa Pant in East Africa|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125304/http://www.awaazmagazine.com/index.php/component/k2/item/170-apa-pant-in-east-africa |archivedate=2 April 2015 }}</ref> A philosopher by nature and a mystic at heart, who served for over forty years as a career diplomat for the [[Government of India|Indian Government]]. He served as the Indian Commissioner at various African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, [[Tanganyika (territory)|Tanganyika]], [[Zanzibar]], [[Northern Rhodesia]], [[Southern Rhodesia]], [[Nyasaland]] and the Belgian colony of the Congo and, later, as the Indian ambassador to countries like Indonesia, Norway, Egypt, United Kingdom and Italy. He also served as the Political Officer for India in the Kingdom of Sikkim.<ref name="Benegal" /> The [[Government of India]] honoured him in 1954, with the award of [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest Indian civilian award for his contributions to the society,<ref name="Padma Shri">{{cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Shri |publisher=Padma Shri |year=2015 |accessdate=11 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archivedate=15 October 2015 }}</ref> placing him among the first recipients of the award.

==Biography==
Appa Sahib Bala Saheb Pant was born on 11 September 1912<ref name="WMF Labs">{{cite web | url=http://tools.wmflabs.org/persondata/p/Apasaheb_Balasaheb_Pant | title=WMF Labs | publisher=WMF Labs |year=2015 | accessdate=30 March 2015}}{{user-generated source|date=November 2021}}</ref> in the [[Aundh, Satara]] capital city of [[Aundh State|princely state of Aundh]] in the [[British India]], presently near [[Satara district|Satara]] in the Indian state of Maharashtra, as the second son of [[Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi]],<ref name="Free Library">{{cite web | url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Shivaji+designs+for+stained-glass+windows%3A+the+art+of+Ervin+Bossanyi.-a0253862098 | title=Free Library | publisher=Free Library |year=2015 | accessdate=30 March 2015}}</ref> the ruler of the state.<ref name="Benegal" /> After schooling at local institutions, he graduated (BA) from the [[University of Mumbai]] and studied [[philosophy, politics and economics]] at [[Brasenose College, Oxford]].<ref name="Awaaz Magazine" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bowers|first=John|author-link=John Bowers (lawyer)|date=2021-02-16|title=Principal's Blog: 16th February 2021|url=https://www.bnc.ox.ac.uk/about-brasenose/princblog/2361-principal-s-blog-16th-february-2021|access-date=2022-02-02|publisher=[[Brasenose College, Oxford]]}}</ref> He continued his studies in London and passed Barrister at Law from [[Lincoln's Inn]] and returned to India in 1937 when the [[Indian freedom movement]] was gathering pace.<ref name="Benegal" />

Pant married Nalini Devi,<ref>Gaurav Desai, [https://books.google.com/books?id=K9WrAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA75 Commerce with the Universe: Africa, India, and the Afrasian Imagination], p. 75</ref> a medical doctor and a [[Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons|fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons]] in 1942 and the couple had three children, [[Aditi Pant|Aditi]], Aniket and Avalokita.<ref name="Awaaz Magazine" /> He died, aged 80, on 5 October 1992,<ref name="WMF Labs" /> succumbing to old age illnesses.<ref name="Benegal" />

==Political and diplomatic career==

Pant started his political and diplomatic career as the Minister of Education of the [[Aundh State]] in 1944 when his father was the ruler of the state.<ref name="Awaaz Magazine" /> His tenure lasted one year and during this period and thereafter, he was involved in the discussions related to the integration of the state into Indian Union.<ref name="Benegal" /> After India's independence, he entered [[Indian Foreign Service]], got deputed to Africa and worked in Kenya, Uganda, [[Tanganyika (territory)|Tanganyika]], [[Zanzibar]], [[Northern Rhodesia]], [[Southern Rhodesia]], [[Nyasaland]] and the Belgian colony of the Congo.<ref name="Awaaz Magazine" /> In 1954, he was appointed as the Officer on Special duty with the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Minister of External Affairs]] when India's relationship with China was strained.<ref name="Awaaz Magazine" /> He represented India at [[Bandung Conference]] in 1956 for the formation of [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. He also worked as the Officer in Charge of the missions of [[Tibet]] and [[Bhutan]] and [[Sikkim]],<ref name="TH Library">{{cite web | url=http://www.thlib.org/static/reprints/bot/bot_1987_03_04.pdf | title=TH Library | publisher=TH Library |year=2015 | accessdate=30 March 2015}}</ref> and as Ambassador to Indonesia (1961–64), Norway (1964–66), Egypt (1966–69),<ref name="Middle East Institute">{{cite web | url=https://www.mei.edu/content/interview-indian-ambassador-ret-ranjit-gupta-cairo-egypt-%E2%80%94-first-posting-1965-1968 | title=Middle East Institute | publisher=Middle East Institute |year=2015 | accessdate=30 March 2015}}</ref> United Kingdom (1969–72) and Italy (1972–75).<ref name="Benegal" /><ref name="WMF Labs" />

==Literary career==
Apasaheb Pant was a former judge for the [[Templeton Prize]],<ref name="Judge Templeton">{{cite web | url=https://www.templetonprize.org/judges.html | title=The Templeton Prize – Judges. Previous Judges | publisher=[[Templeton Foundation]] |year=2015 | accessdate=30 March 2015}}</ref> an international recognition honouring the ''entrepreneurship of spirit'',<ref name="Templeton About">{{cite web | url=https://www.templetonprize.org/abouttheprize.html | title=Templeton About | publisher=Templeton Foundation |year=2015 | accessdate=30 March 2015}}</ref> He published<ref name="Awaaz Magazine" /> eight books towards the latter part of his life.<ref name="Benegal" />
{{Div col|colwidth=35em}}
* ''[[Surya Namaskar]], an Ancient Indian Exercise'' (1970)<ref name="Surya Namaskar, an Ancient Indian Exercise">{{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=12680507655&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=Surya Namaskar, an Ancient Indian Exercise | publisher=Sangam Books | author=Apa Pant | year=1970 | isbn=9788125013877}}</ref>
* ''Towards Socialist Transformation of Indian Economy'' (1973)<ref name="Towards Socialist Transformation of Indian Economy">{{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1351284551&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=Towards Socialist Transformation of Indian Economy | publisher=Humanities Press |author1=Bhuleshkar, Ashok V. |author2=Pant, Apa B. | year=1973}}</ref>
* ''A Moment in Time'' (1974)<ref name="A Moment in Time">{{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=15385243793&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=A Moment in Time | publisher=Hodder & Stoughton Ltd | author=Pant, Apa B. | year=1974 | location=United Kingdom | isbn=9780340147900}}</ref>
* ''Mandala: An Awakening'' (1976)<ref name="Mandala: An Awakening">{{cite book | title=Mandala: An Awakening | publisher=Sangam Books | author=Apa B. Pant | year=1976 | pages=218 | isbn=978-0861310630}}</ref>
* ''Survival of the Individual'' (1983)<ref name="Survival of the Individual">{{cite book | title=Survival of the Individual | publisher=Sangam Books | author=Apa Pant | year=1983 | isbn=9780861314003| oclc=13215863 }}</ref>
* ''Undiplomatic Incidents'' (1987)<ref name="Undiplomatic Incidents">{{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=14345842069&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=Undiplomatic Incidents | publisher=Majestic Books | author=Pant Apa B. | year=1987 | isbn=9780861316908}}</ref>
* ''An Unusual Raja – Mahatma Gandhi and the [[Aundh Experiment]]'' (1989)<ref name="An Unusual Raja Mahatma Gandhi and the Aundh Experiment">{{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=911371786&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=An Unusual Raja Mahatma Gandhi and the Aundh Experiment | publisher=Oscar Publications | author=Apa Pant | year=1989 | isbn=9780861317523}}</ref>
* ''An Extended Family of Fellow Pilgrims'' (1990)<ref name="An Extended Family or Fellow Pilgrims">{{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=98674992&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=An Extended Family or Fellow Pilgrims | publisher=Oscar Publications | author=Apa Pant | year=1990 | isbn=9780863111099}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Awards==
In 1954, he was awarded with [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest [[Indian honours system|Indian civilian award]] for his contributions to the society, placing him among the first recipients of the award.

==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Pant Pratinidhi family]]
* [[Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi]]
{{div col end}}
{{Portal|India|Politics}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=12680507655&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=Surya Namaskar, an Ancient Indian Exercise | publisher=Sangam Books | author=Apa Pant | year=1970 | isbn=9788125013877}}
* {{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1351284551&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=Towards Socialist Transformation of Indian Economy | publisher=Humanitites Press |author1=Bhuleshkar, Ashok V. |author2=Pant, Apa B. | year=1973}}
* {{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=15385243793&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=A Moment in Time | publisher=Hodder & Stoughton Ltd | author=Pant, Apa B. | year=1974 | location=United Kingdom | isbn=9780340147900}}
* {{cite book | title=Mandala: An Awakening | publisher=Sangam Books | author=Apa B. Pant | year=1976 | pages=218 | isbn=978-0861310630}}
* {{cite book | title=Survival of the Individual | publisher=Sangam Books | author=Apa Pant | year=1983 | isbn=9780861314003| oclc=13215863 }}
* {{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=14345842069&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=Undiplomatic Incidents | publisher=Majestic Books | author=Pant Apa B. | year=1987 | isbn=9780861316908}}
* {{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=911371786&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=An Unusual Raja Mahatma Gandhi and the Aundh Experiment | publisher=Oscar Publications | author=Apa Pant | year=1989 | isbn=9780861317523}}
* {{cite book | url=http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=98674992&searchurl=afn_sr%3DZANOXDE%26ph%3D2%26an%3DPant+Apa | title=An Extended Family or Fellow Pilgrims | publisher=Oscar Publications | author=Apa Pant | year=1990 | isbn=9780863111099}}

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Civil Service}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pant, Apa Saheb Bala Saheb}}
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in civil service]]
[[Category:Members of Lincoln's Inn]]
[[Category:1912 births]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:Writers from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:University of Mumbai alumni]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford]]
[[Category:Indian political writers]]
[[Category:Indian government officials]]
[[Category:High commissioners of India to Kenya]]
[[Category:High commissioners of India to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Bhutan]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Egypt]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Indonesia]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Italy]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Norway]]
[[Category:Politicians from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:People from Pune district]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian biographers]]

Apa Pant - Revision history

Mrrajrumel at 03:39, 28 March 2026