# Jaswant Singh

> Indian politician and retired army officer (1938–2020)

**Wikidata**: [Q3518489](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3518489)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaswant_Singh)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jaswant-singh

## Summary

Jaswant Singh was an Indian politician, military personnel, and writer born on January 3, 1938 in Jasol. He held citizenship in India, British Raj, and Dominion of India. He was educated at Mayo College and followed Hinduism. He was the father of Manvendra Singh. [1][2][3]He served in various ministerial positions including Minister of Defence from 2000 to 2001 and Minister of Finance from 2002 to 2004. He was a member of the 15th Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014 and a member of Rajya Sabha from 1980 until his death. His field of work included the culture of India and culture of Rajasthan. He received the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award and the Banga Bibhushan. [4][5][6][7][8]Jaswant Singh died of cardiac arrest on September 27, 2020 in New Delhi. [9][10][11]

## Summary
Jaswant Singh (1938–2020) was a distinguished Indian politician and retired army officer who served as a Member of Parliament and held significant cabinet positions in the Government of India. He is best known for his authorship of the controversial and influential book *Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence* and for receiving the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award and the Banga Bibhushan for his public service.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 3, 1938
- **Nationality**: Indian (also associated with the British Raj and Dominion of India historically)
- **Education**: Mayo College (affiliated)
- **Known for**: Serving as a senior leader in the Indian government, his military service in the 1962 Sino-Indian War and 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, and his historical analysis of the Partition of India.
- **Employer(s)**: Indian Army (retired), Government of India (various ministries), Indian Parliamentary Group
- **Field(s)**: Politics, Military Strategy, History, Literature

## Contributions
Jaswant Singh's contributions span military service, legislative leadership, and historical literature:
- **Military Service**: Served as a Major in the Indian Army, participating in the Sino-Indian War (1962) and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
- **Literary Work**: Authored *Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence* (published in 2009), a significant historical work re-evaluating the role of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the creation of Pakistan.
- **Legislative Leadership**: Served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Minister of External Affairs and Finance, contributing to India's foreign policy and economic frameworks during his tenure.
- **Parliamentary Excellence**: Recognized for his legislative contributions by receiving the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 1995.
- **State Recognition**: Honored by the Government of West Bengal with the Banga Bibhushan award in 2011.

## FAQs
**What was Jaswant Singh's primary career path?**
Jaswant Singh began his career as a military officer in the Indian Army, where he fought in major conflicts, before transitioning into a long and distinguished career as a politician and cabinet minister in the Government of India.

**Which historical book is Jaswant Singh most famous for writing?**
He is most renowned for writing *Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence*, published in 2009, which offers a detailed and often debated perspective on the life of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the events leading to the 1947 Partition.

**What awards did Jaswant Singh receive for his public service?**
He was honored with the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award by the Indian Parliamentary Group in 1995 and later received the Banga Bibhushan, an award from the West Bengal Government, in 2011.

**Which wars did Jaswant Singh participate in during his military career?**
During his time as a Major in the Indian Army, he served in the Sino-Indian War of 1962 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

**Where did Jaswant Singh receive his early education?**
He was educated at Mayo College, a prestigious institution in India, before joining the armed forces.

## Why They Matter
Jaswant Singh holds a unique place in modern Indian history as a figure who bridged the military and political spheres with intellectual depth. His significance lies in his ability to challenge established historical narratives through his writing, particularly regarding the Partition of India, which sparked national and international discourse on the events of 1947. As a former External Affairs Minister, he shaped India's diplomatic stance during critical periods, while his receipt of the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award underscores his effectiveness and dedication within the legislative framework. Without his literary contributions, the historical understanding of Jinnah's motivations and the complexities of the Partition would lack the specific analytical perspective he provided. His life exemplifies the transition from a soldier defending the nation's borders to a statesman and writer defending and analyzing the nation's historical identity.

## Notable For
- **Military Service**: Participation in the Sino-Indian War (1962) and Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 as a Major.
- **Authorship**: Writing the seminal book *Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence* (2009).
- **Awards**: Recipient of the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award (1995) and the Banga Bibhushan (2011).
- **Political Roles**: Serving as a high-ranking cabinet minister in the Government of India.
- **Education**: Alumni of Mayo College.
- **Legacy**: Being a rare figure who successfully transitioned from active combat roles to high-level diplomacy and historical scholarship.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Jaswant Singh was born on January 3, 1938, in India. His early life was shaped by the transition from the British Raj to the Dominion of India and eventually the Republic of India. He received his education at Mayo College, an institution known for educating the children of the Indian aristocracy and military families. This educational foundation prepared him for a life of public service and leadership.

### Military Career
Before entering politics, Jaswant Singh served as a military officer in the Indian Army. He rose to the rank of Major and saw active combat in two significant conflicts: the Sino-Indian War of 1962 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. His service during these wars, particularly the 1965 conflict over Kashmir, established his credentials as a patriot and a strategic thinker. His military background deeply influenced his later political career, particularly in matters of national security and foreign policy.

### Political Career and Legislative Service
Following his retirement from the army, Jaswant Singh entered the political arena as a prominent figure in Indian politics. He served as a Member of Parliament and held several key cabinet positions, including Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Finance. His tenure in government was marked by a focus on India's strategic interests and economic stability. He was recognized for his parliamentary skills, earning the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 1995 from the Indian Parliamentary Group. His political career spanned decades, during which he navigated the complexities of India's federal parliamentary system.

### Literary Contributions and Historical Analysis
Jaswant Singh is perhaps best known in the intellectual sphere for his book *Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence*, published in 2009. This work provided a fresh and controversial perspective on Muhammad Ali Jinnah, arguing that Jinnah's demand for Pakistan was a political strategy rather than an inevitable religious outcome. The book became a bestseller and sparked intense debate across India and Pakistan, challenging conventional historical narratives. His writing demonstrated his deep understanding of the culture of India and the specific cultural nuances of Rajasthan, where he had strong roots.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his life, Jaswant Singh received numerous accolades for his service to the nation. In addition to the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award, he was honored with the Banga Bibhushan in 2011 by the Government of West Bengal. These awards recognized his contributions to politics, literature, and national unity. His legacy is further cemented by his inclusion in various international databases and his recognition as a key figure in the history of the Indian subcontinent.

### Personal Details and Legacy
Jaswant Singh passed away on September 27, 2020. He was known by several aliases, including Jaswant Singh Jasol, Thakur Jaswant Singh, and Major Jaswant Singh Rathore. His citizenship was Indian, though his life spanned the eras of the British Raj and the Dominion of India. He was a member of the Indian community with deep ties to the culture of Rajasthan. His official website was http://www.jaswantsingh.com, and he maintained a presence in various digital and academic repositories. His life story serves as a testament to the diverse roles an individual can play in shaping a nation's destiny, from the battlefield to the parliament and the literary world.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.deccanherald.com/dh-galleries/photos/jaswant-singh-1938-2020-a-life-in-pictures-893638)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://eci.gov.in/files/category/97-general-election-2014/)
4. [Source](https://www.thequint.com/news/india/former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-passed-away-foreign-defense-finance-minister)
5. [2020](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jaswant-singh-end-of-a-long-journey-for-the-army-man-turned-parliamentarian/article32707147.ece)
6. [Source](https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/jaswant-singh-passes-away-full-list-of-positions-held-by-the-former-union-minister)
7. [7 Books Written By Jaswant Singh That Every Indian must read](https://www.mensxp.com/special-features/today/22240-7-books-written-by-jaswant-singh-that-every-indian-must-read.html)
8. [I have not written to please - it's a journey that I have undertaken. 2009](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/I-have-not-written-to-please-its-a-journey-that-I-have-undertaken%E2%80%A6/article16875743.ece)
9. [Source](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/former-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-dead/articleshow/78343032.cms)
10. [2009](http://www.rediff.com/news/special/jaswants-expulsion-is-the-bjps-gift-to-the-rss/20090820.htm)
11. Integrated Authority File
12. [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/the-mole-has-taken-its-toll/story-0FxH3pPSGiCsVHizbBPfkO.html)
13. [Wayback Machine](http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/spy-in-the-cold-jaswant-backtracks-on--mole-/9296/)
14. [Source](http://www.matpal.com/2012/07/jaswant-singh-biography-bjp-leader.html)
15. [2020](https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/sep/27/outstanding-parliamentarian-great-administratorpatriot-l-k-advani-on-jaswant-singh-2202580.html)
16. [Source](http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/host-of-celebrities-to-be-get-bengal-government-awards-monday-113051701035_1.html)
17. [Source](https://www.bhaskar.com/local/rajasthan/jaipur/news/jaswant-singh-was-the-only-leader-from-rajasthan-who-had-the-distinction-of-becoming-the-minister-of-external-affairs-finance-and-defense-127760121.html)
18. [2018](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-rajasthan-jaswant-singhs-son-banks-on-rajput-anger-fathers-legacy-1954657)
19. International Standard Name Identifier
20. CiNii
21. CiNii Research
22. OPAC SBN
23. [The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/former-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-dead/articleshow/78343032.cms)
24. [Source](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-union-minister-and-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-dies-at-82-saddened-by-his-demise-tweets-pm-modi-2301608)
25. Google Knowledge Graph
26. [Google Arts & Culture](https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/jaswant-singh/m03_f5d)
27. Open Library
28. [Source](http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:T-SKcSfG0r0J:loksabhaph.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/552.htm&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1&vwsrc=0)
29. Trove
30. WorldCat
31. BabelNet
32. Goodreads
33. RERO
34. [2012 Vice Presidential Elections. Election Commission of India](http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/Current/PN03072012.pdf)
35. [Babelio](https://www.babelio.com/auteur/Jaswant-Singh/337215/bibliographie)
36. [Source](https://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/8h8ci/top_staffing_and_recruitment_agency_brentford/)
37. [Source](https://www.amazon.com/Jaswant-Singh/e/B001HCZZ5K)
38. British National Bibliography
39. [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jaswant-singh-end-of-a-long-journey-for-the-army-man-turned-parliamentarian/article32707147.ece)
40. [Source](https://rupapublications.co.in/authors/jaswant-singh/)
41. LibraryThing
42. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Jaswant_Singh-NM6BZK)
43. YouTube API