Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi

Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi, CBE (October 24, 1868 – April 13, 1951), popularly known as Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi or Bhawanrao Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi, was the ruler of the princely state of Aundh of British Raj during the reign (1909 – 1947). He is known for inventing the exercise sequence of Surya Namaskar, Salute to the Sun, now incorporated into modern yoga as exercise. Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao was born to Shriniwasrao Parashuram "Anna Sahib" (7th Raja of Aundh) on 24 October 1868 in a Deshastha Brahmin family. He studied at Satara High School and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Deccan College of University of Bombay in Pune. He ascended the throne as the Raja of Aundh State on 4 November 1909. Although Balasaheb was not a scholar, he was avid reader and his Sanskrit was tolerably good. He worked as Chief Secretary to his father from 1895-1901 in order to learn the Administration of the State.