Nahal was a professor and scholar, creative writer of novels and short stories, writer of children’s book, managing director of a journal, The Humanities Review and chairperson of the CN Gandhi Foundation, Nahal is most remembered for his novel AZADI (Freedom) for which he received the Sahitya Akademi award in 1977. Written originally in English, AZADI was translated into numerous languages, including Urdu and Punjabi. Nahal also received the Federation of Indian Publishers award in 1977 and 1979. Nahal’s other works include three scholarly books, nine creative works, three children’s books, one memoir, four other books covering philosophy and biographies and hundreds of articles. Nahal also wrote a regular column for The Indian Express from 1966-73 He was a Professor of English, University of Delhi 1963-1992; besides also lecturing in England, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Italy and other places.