The country’s first Sikh prime minister, he introduced free-market reforms that turned India into an economic powerhouse. He signed a nuclear deal with Washington and sought reconciliation with Pakistan.

Manmohan Singh's father may have believed his bookworm son would one day lead India, but the understated technocrat with the trademark blue turban, who died Thursday at the age of 92, never dreamed it would actually happen.

Described as a "reluctant king" in his first stint as prime minister, the quietly spoken Manmohan Singh was arguably one of India's most successful leaders.