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{{Short description|Indian diplomat, Prince of Aundh, Gandhian, writer and freedom fighter}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific_prefix =[[His Excellency]]
| honorific_prefix = [[His Excellency]]
|honorific_suffix = [[Padma Shri|PS]]
| honorific_suffix = [[Padma Shri|PS]]
| name                   = Apasaheb Balasaheb Pant
| name             = Apasaheb Balasaheb Pant
| image                   =Jomo Kenyatta Apa Pant and Acheing Oneko.jpg
| image           = Jomo Kenyatta Apa Pant and Acheing Oneko.jpg
| imagesize              =
| image_size      =  
| caption                 = [[Jomo Kenyatta]], Apa Pant and [[Achieng Oneko]]
| caption         = [[Jomo Kenyatta]], Apa Pant and [[Achieng Oneko]]
| office = [[List of High Commissioners of India to the United Kingdom|High Commissioner
| office           = [[List of High Commissioners of India to the United Kingdom|High Commissioner
  of India to the United Kingdom]]
  of India to the United Kingdom]]
| term_start = 15 September 1969
| term_start       = 15 September 1969
| term_end = October 1972
| term_end         = October 1972
| predecessor= S. S. Dhawan
| predecessor     = S. S. Dhawan
| successor = [[Braj Kumar Nehru]]
| successor       = [[Braj Kumar Nehru]]
| birth_date             = 11 September 1912
| birth_date       = 11 September 1912
| birth_place             = [[Aundh State]], [[British India]] (present-day [[Maharashtra]], India)
| birth_place     = [[Aundh State]], [[British India]] (present-day [[Maharashtra]], India)
| death_date             = 5 October 1992
| death_date       = {{death date and age|1992|10|05|1912|09|11|df=y}}
| death_place             = [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| death_place     = [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| restingplacecoordinates =
| resting_place_coordinates =  
| othername              = Appa Saheb Pant, Parashuram Rao Pant
| occupation       = Diplomat, freedom fighter
| occupation             = Diplomat, freedom fighter
| yearsactive     =  
| yearsactive             =  
| known for       =  
| known for               =  
| alma_mater       = [[University of Bombay]]<br />[[University of Oxford]]
| alma_mater             =[[University of Bombay]]<br />[[University of Oxford]]
| father           = [[Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi]]
| father                 = [[Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi]]
| website         =  
| website                 =  
| awards           = [[Padma Shri]] (1954)
| awards                 = [[Padma Shri]] (1954)
}}
}}


'''Appasaheb Pant''' (1912-1992), also known as '''Appa Pant''', '''Appa Sahib Pant''', '''Appsaheb Balasaheb Pant''', '''Parashuram-rao Pant''' (Parashuram being his first name), was an Indian diplomat, [[Prince|Prince of Aundh]], [[Gandhian]], writer and [[Indian freedom movement|freedom fighter]].<ref name="Benegal">{{cite web | url=http://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.
'''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==
==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 State|princely state of Aundh]] in the [[British India]], presently near [[Pune]] 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" />
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, 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" />
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==
==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=http://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" />
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==
==Literary career==
Apasaheb Pant was a former judge for the [[Templeton Prize]],<ref name="Judge Templeton">{{cite web | url=http://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=http://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" />
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}}
{{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>
* ''[[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>
Line 47: Line 47:
* ''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>
* ''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>
* ''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 | url=http://www.worldcat.org/title/survival-of-the-individual/oclc/13215863 | title=Survival of the Individual | publisher=Sangam Books | author=Apa Pant | year=1983 | isbn=9780861314003| oclc=13215863 }}</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>
* ''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 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>
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==Awards==
==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.
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==
==See also==
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* {{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 | 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=Mandala: An Awakening | publisher=Sangam Books | author=Apa B. Pant | year=1976 | pages=218 | isbn=978-0861310630}}
* {{cite book | url=http://www.worldcat.org/title/survival-of-the-individual/oclc/13215863 | title=Survival of the Individual | publisher=Sangam Books | author=Apa Pant | year=1983 | isbn=9780861314003| oclc=13215863 }}
* {{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=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=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}}
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[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:Writers from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Writers from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Indian diplomats]]
[[Category:University of Mumbai alumni]]
[[Category:University of Mumbai alumni]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford]]
[[Category:Indian political writers]]
[[Category:Indian political writers]]
[[Category:Indian government officials]]
[[Category:Indian government officials]]
[[Category:High Commissioners of India to Kenya]]
[[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 Indonesia]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Italy]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Norway]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Norway]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Egypt]]
[[Category:Politicians from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Italy]]
[[Category:Maharashtra politicians]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:People from Pune district]]
[[Category:People from Pune district]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian biographers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian biographers]]

Latest revision as of 09:09, 28 March 2026


His Excellency
Apasaheb Balasaheb Pant
PS
Jomo Kenyatta, Apa Pant and Achieng Oneko
High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom
In office
15 September 1969 – October 1972
Preceded byS. S. Dhawan
Succeeded byBraj Kumar Nehru
Personal details
Born11 September 1912
Aundh State, British India (present-day Maharashtra, India)
Died5 October 1992(1992-10-05) (aged 80)
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Parent(s)
Alma materUniversity of Bombay
University of Oxford
OccupationDiplomat, freedom fighter
AwardsPadma Shri (1954)

Appasaheb Pant (1912–1992), also known as Apa Pant,[1] Appa Pant, Appa Sahib Pant, Appsaheb Balasaheb Pant, Parashuram-rao Pant (Parashuram being his first name), was an Indian diplomat, Prince of Aundh, Gandhian, writer and freedom fighter.[2][3][4] A philosopher by nature and a mystic at heart, who served for over forty years as a career diplomat for the Indian Government. He served as the Indian Commissioner at various African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, 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.[3] 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,[5] placing him among the first recipients of the award.

Biography[edit | edit source]

Appa Sahib Bala Saheb Pant was born on 11 September 1912[6] in the Aundh, Satara capital city of princely state of Aundh in the British India, presently near Satara in the Indian state of Maharashtra, as the second son of Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi,[7] the ruler of the state.[3] After schooling at local institutions, he graduated (BA) from the University of Mumbai and studied philosophy, politics and economics at Brasenose College, Oxford.[4][8] 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.[3]

Pant married Nalini Devi,[9] a medical doctor and a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1942 and the couple had three children, Aditi, Aniket and Avalokita.[4] He died, aged 80, on 5 October 1992,[6] succumbing to old age illnesses.[3]

Political and diplomatic career[edit | edit source]

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.[4] 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.[3] After India's independence, he entered Indian Foreign Service, got deputed to Africa and worked in Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, Nyasaland and the Belgian colony of the Congo.[4] In 1954, he was appointed as the Officer on Special duty with the Minister of External Affairs when India's relationship with China was strained.[4] 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,[10] and as Ambassador to Indonesia (1961–64), Norway (1964–66), Egypt (1966–69),[11] United Kingdom (1969–72) and Italy (1972–75).[3][6]

Literary career[edit | edit source]

Apasaheb Pant was a former judge for the Templeton Prize,[12] an international recognition honouring the entrepreneurship of spirit,[13] He published[4] eight books towards the latter part of his life.[3]

  • Surya Namaskar, an Ancient Indian Exercise (1970)[14]
  • Towards Socialist Transformation of Indian Economy (1973)[15]
  • A Moment in Time (1974)[16]
  • Mandala: An Awakening (1976)[17]
  • Survival of the Individual (1983)[18]
  • Undiplomatic Incidents (1987)[19]
  • An Unusual Raja – Mahatma Gandhi and the Aundh Experiment (1989)[20]
  • An Extended Family of Fellow Pilgrims (1990)[21]

Awards[edit | edit source]

In 1954, he was awarded with Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for his contributions to the society, placing him among the first recipients of the award.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 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/
  2. ↑ Guyot-Réchard, Bérénice (2022). "Stirring Africa towards India: Apa Pant and the Making of Post-Colonial Diplomacy, 1948–54" (PDF). The International History Review. 44 (4): 892–913. doi:10.1080/07075332.2022.2093941. ISSN 0707-5332. S2CID 250598023.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "Benegal". Benegal. 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "Apa Pant in East Africa". Awaaz Magazine. 1 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Padma Shri" (PDF). Padma Shri. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "WMF Labs". WMF Labs. 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.Template:User-generated source
  7. ↑ "Free Library". Free Library. 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  8. ↑ Bowers, John (16 February 2021). "Principal's Blog: 16th February 2021". Brasenose College, Oxford. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  9. ↑ Gaurav Desai, Commerce with the Universe: Africa, India, and the Afrasian Imagination, p. 75
  10. ↑ "TH Library" (PDF). TH Library. 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  11. ↑ "Middle East Institute". Middle East Institute. 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "The Templeton Prize – Judges. Previous Judges". Templeton Foundation. 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  13. ↑ "Templeton About". Templeton Foundation. 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  14. ↑ Apa Pant (1970). Surya Namaskar, an Ancient Indian Exercise. Sangam Books. ISBN 9788125013877.
  15. ↑ Bhuleshkar, Ashok V.; Pant, Apa B. (1973). Towards Socialist Transformation of Indian Economy. Humanities Press.
  16. ↑ Pant, Apa B. (1974). A Moment in Time. United Kingdom: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. ISBN 9780340147900.
  17. ↑ Apa B. Pant (1976). Mandala: An Awakening. Sangam Books. p. 218. ISBN 978-0861310630.
  18. ↑ Apa Pant (1983). Survival of the Individual. Sangam Books. ISBN 9780861314003. OCLC 13215863.
  19. ↑ Pant Apa B. (1987). Undiplomatic Incidents. Majestic Books. ISBN 9780861316908.
  20. ↑ Apa Pant (1989). An Unusual Raja Mahatma Gandhi and the Aundh Experiment. Oscar Publications. ISBN 9780861317523.
  21. ↑ Apa Pant (1990). An Extended Family or Fellow Pilgrims. Oscar Publications. ISBN 9780863111099.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

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