Journalist and famous writer Khushwant Singh. PHOTO: AFP
According to his son, the well-known writer died at his residence in Sujan Singh Park in Delhi.
"He liked to call a spade a spade. He hated hypocrisy, fundamentalism, and was a gentle person," his son told NDTV.
Singh was the founder and editor of Yogana, editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India, the National Herald and the Hindustan Times.
Some of his most famous works are Train to Pakistan, I Shall Not Hear the Nightingale and Delhi.
He has also written the novel The Sunset Club, the non-fiction classic A History of the Sikhs, the autobiography Truth, Love and a Little Malice and a number of translations and works on Sikh religion and culture.
A respected figure in the world of literature, he had won many awards and honours including the Rockefeller Grant in 1996 and the Padma Vibhushan - the second highest civilian award in India - in 2007.
He also wrote Urdu poetry as well as about nature and current affairs.
Condolences poured over Twitter following his death:
Rest in peace, #KhushwantSingh. What a life you lived,& what stories you told.The Punjabi who lived as he wrote,& leaves a place all his own
— Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) March 20, 2014
https://twitter.com/ajmaljami/status/446566918355689472
https://twitter.com/salmansid/status/446566738591641600
The writer of 'Train to Pakistan', Khushwant Singh, is no more. What a loss he is to both India and Pakistan. May he rest in peace.
— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) March 20, 2014
COMMENTS (18)
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Jolly good fellow we are gonna miss you o'l bloke
......... Ajab Aazad Mard Tha. May his soul rest in peace.
Syed
Khushwant Singh missed his century, but a very fine innings Sir...
His "Train To Pakistan" has permanently returned…
Rest In Peace
He will be missed by many God bless his soul !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
na haath pakkar sakke na hi daaman thaam sakke
Itni nazdeek se utth kar chala gia koee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May the light of our love always accompany you.........we are all the same -Pilger Souls - with no destination!
You lived a wonderful life, congratulations Khushwant. Your wit and humour will be missed.
What a loss. Amazing writer. May God bless his soul.
Rest in peace khushwant singh.you were a literary gem of indo pak.
After reading all comments from other side of border now I can say for sure that blood is thicker than water. It does not matter what we believe, true feeling come at time of great loss. RIP in KS.
A Great Loss. You're gonna be amply missed Mr. Singh.
Extremely amazing writer he was #KhushwantSingh RIP... A rare gem in a hypocritical world..
RIP. Great personality.
Well played Khushwant! RIP
What a huge loss. Our respects to you, sir!