Pranab Mukherjee has had a checkered career spanning five decades. As he prepares to vacate the Rashtrapati Bhavan, making way for Ram Nath Kovind, he will be known for a political legacy that includes a unique ability to play the mediator during the toughest of crises, a deep knowledge of constitutional and parliamentary rules and procedures, and a penchant for speaking his mind while at the country's highest office.
Here are some photos of his political life, from the government archives.
Then Minister of Finance, Pranab Mukherjee with members of the Japanese Economic Mission at a meeting in New Delhi on December 4, 1984.
Then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Minister of Finance and National Economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Mohammed Aba Al-Khail, signing an Indo-Saudi Arabia agreement for a credit assistances worth Rs 30 crore for India's Korapur-Rayagada Railway Line Project, in New Delhi on August 11, 1983.
Then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, and Minister of Finance and National Economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Mohammed Aba Al-Khail, in New Delhi on August 11, 1983.
The Minister of Trade of Burma, U.K. Hin Maung Gyi, calling on then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on November 26, 1984.
I.V. Arkhipov, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and Pranab Mukherjee Signing an Indo-Soviet agreement for Vishakhapatman Steel project in New Delhi on May 12, 1983.
I.V. Arkhipov, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and Pranab Mukherjee signing an Indo-Soviet agreement for Vishakhapatman Steel project in New Delhi on May 12, 1983.
The Minister of Foreign Trade of DPR Korea, Cheil Kong Gun, calling on Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on November 19, 1984.
I.V. Arkhipov, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and Pranab Mukherjee signing an Indo-Soviet agreement for Vishakhapatman Steel project in New Delhi on May 12, 1983.
Pranab Mukherjee inaugurating the meeting of the National Savings Central Advisory Board in New Delhi on November 11, 1983.
Pranab Mukherjee inaugurating the Central Purchases Advisory Council meeting, in New Delhi on November 12, 1984.