ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nanabhoy Ardeshir Palkhivala commonly known as Nani Palkhivala was born in 1920 in Bombay what was then the Bombay Presidency. His family name derives from the profession of his forefathers who had been manufacturers of palanquins (‘palkhis’). He was educated at Masters Tutorial High School, and later at St. Xavier's College, both in Bombay. At college, he earned a master's degree in English language and literature. Upon graduating, Palkhivala applied for a position as lecturer at Bombay University, but was not awarded the post. Afterwards he enrolled at Government Law College, Bombay, where he discovered that he had a gift for unraveling the intricacies of jurisprudence. Nani Palkhivala was called to the bar in 1946. He quickly gained a reputation as an eloquent and articulate barrister. Notable cases of Nani Palkhivala include PJ Irani, Ujjam Bai, Gujarat University, Article 143 matter on immunity of state legislatures, Keshavnanda Bharti case, Birla Cott