Serving as the ninth President of India from 1992 to 1997, Shankar Dayal Sharma navigated a complex period of political instability that required appointing four different prime ministers during his five-year tenure. His career spanned decades, transitioning from a legal practitioner and regional activist in Bhopal to the highest constitutional office within the Indian state.
Academic Foundation and Legal Practice
Born in Bhopal in 1918, Sharma attended St. John's College, Agra, followed by studies at the University of Allahabad and the University of Lucknow. He earned an LL.M and a doctorate in constitutional law from the University of Cambridge. Further legal training took place at Lincoln's Inn and Harvard Law School, where he served as a Brandeis Fellow. He began practicing law in 1940 and taught at the University of Lucknow.
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Take the IQ test →Regional Leadership in Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh
Sharma emerged as a political figure during the 1948–1949 movement to integrate the princely state of Bhopal into the Dominion of India, spending eight months in prison for his advocacy. Following the integration, he served as Chief Minister of Bhopal State from 1952 to 1956. When Bhopal merged into Madhya Pradesh, he held various cabinet portfolios, including education, law, and industry, while actively influencing the selection of Bhopal as the new state capital.
National Parliamentary and Gubernatorial Roles
Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971, Sharma served as the Union Minister for Communications between 1974 and 1977. His later career involved several gubernatorial appointments, including Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra. He became Vice President of India in 1987, serving in that capacity until his election as President in 1992.
The Presidency
As President, Sharma asserted executive authority during the P.V. Narasimha Rao ministry. He compelled the dismissal of a governor, responded to the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and refused to sign specific ordinances. His tenure concluded in 1997 following his decision not to seek a second term. He died in New Delhi in 1999.
Fast facts
- Born: 1918, Bhopal
- Died: 1999, New Delhi
- President of India: 1992–1997
- Vice President of India: 1987–1992
- Administrator of Chandigarh: 1985–1986
- Governor of Punjab: 1985–1986
- Education: University of Cambridge, Harvard Law School
- Languages: English, Sanskrit
Questions readers ask
What major roles did Sharma hold before the presidency?
He served as the Chief Minister of Bhopal State, a Union Minister for Communications, and as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra.
How many prime ministers were appointed during his presidency?
He dealt with four prime ministers, three of whom were appointed during his final year in office.
