Maulana Azad
Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin entered the world on the 11th of November 1888 within the holy city of Mecca. His father Muhammad Khairuddin bin Ahmed Al Hussaini was a Muslim scholar who had fled India during the rebellion of 1857 to settle in Ottoman territory. Azad's mother Sheikha Alia bint Mohammad came from Medina and carried a reputation that extended far beyond Arabia. The family moved to Calcutta in 1890 when he was only two years old. He received home schooling from tutors hired by his family rather than attending standard schools. By age twelve he ran a library, a reading room, and a debating society. At thirteen he married Zulaikha Begum while still mastering Arabic as his first language. He mastered Bengali, Hindustani, Persian, and English before turning fifteen. He completed traditional studies nine years ahead of his peers at just sixteen years old.
Azad began publishing poetry journals like Nairang-e-Aalam in Calcutta at age eleven. He edited the weekly newspaper Al-Misbah by 1900 and contributed articles to Urdu magazines such as Makhzan. In 1903 he launched Lissan-us-Sidq which ran until May 1905 due to lack of funds. He joined Al-Nadwa on Shibli Nomani's invitation and edited Vakil from Amritsar between April 1906 and July 1908. His most famous publication arrived in 1912 with the Urdu weekly Al-Hilal. This paper openly attacked British policies while exploring challenges facing common people. The British government banned Al-Hilal in 1914 under the Press Act for its radical content. Azad started another journal called Al-Balagh which also got banned in 1916 under Defence regulations. He was arrested and moved to a jail in Ranchi where he remained incarcerated until the 1st of January 1920. During this period he developed political views considered radical for most Muslims of that time.
The Indian public felt outrage after the Rowlatt Acts passed in 1919 restricting civil liberties. Thousands were arrested following the killing of unarmed civilians at Jallianwala Bagh on the 13th of April 1919. Mahatma Gandhi led farmers in Champaran and Kheda against British authorities in 1918 before organizing mass civil disobedience. Azad and the Ali brothers warmly welcomed Congress support for the Khilafat struggle. They began working together on non-cooperation by asking Indians to boycott British-run schools, colleges, courts, and police forces. Non-violence and Hindu-Muslim unity became universally emphasized goals during these protests. Along with Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari and Hakim Ajmal Khan they founded Jamia Millia Islamia as an institution managed entirely by Indians without British control. Both men shared deep passion for religion while developing close friendship. Azad adopted Islamic prophet Muhammad's ideas by living simply and rejecting material possessions. He grew close to fellow nationalists like Jawaharlal Nehru, Chittaranjan Das, and Subhas Chandra Bose despite criticism from Muslim League politicians.
Azad became the youngest man elected Congress president in 1923 at age thirty-five. He led efforts to organize the Flag Satyagraha in Nagpur that same year. The political environment re-energized in 1928 with nationalist outrage against the Simon Commission appointed to propose constitutional reforms. This commission included no Indian members and did not consult Indian leaders or experts. Azad endorsed the Nehru Report which called for ending separate electorates based on religion. At the 1928 Congress session in Guwahati he supported Gandhi's call for dominion status within one year. If denied this goal the Congress would adopt complete political independence instead. He developed close friendship with Nehru and began espousing socialism as means to fight inequality and poverty. When Gandhi embarked on Dandi Salt March in 1930 Azad organized and led the raid on Dharasana salt works. The biggest nationalist upheaval in a decade resulted in millions being imprisoned including Azad himself who faced long periods of jail from 1930 to 1934.
On the 7th of August 1942 Congress president Azad inaugurated the Quit India struggle with vociferous speech at Gowalia Tank in Mumbai. Just two days later British authorities arrested him along with entire Congress leadership. They remained under isolation and intense security for nearly four years inside Ahmednagar Fort. Outside news and communication had been largely prohibited and completely censored during their confinement. While incarcerated Azad occupied time playing bridge and acting as referee in tennis matches played by colleagues. In early mornings he worked on his classic Urdu work titled Ghubhar-i-Khatir sharing daily chores with companions. He taught Persian and Urdu languages plus Indian and world history to several fellow prisoners. Each year on the 26th of January leaders gathered to remember their cause and pray together despite avoiding political talk. Azad and Nehru proposed initiative to forge agreement with British in 1943 arguing rebellion mistimed. Their proposal overwhelmingly rejected though they agreed Gandhi and Congress had not done enough when learning about talks held with Jinnah in Mumbai in 1944.
All political prisoners released in 1946 after war ended while Azad led Congress in elections for new Constituent Assembly. He headed delegation negotiating with British Cabinet Mission in sixth year as Congress president. The mission's proposal of the 16th of June 1946 envisaged partitioning India which Azad strongly opposed. Earlier proposal dated the 16th of May advocated federal system with limited central government and autonomy for provinces. This plan called grouping provinces on religious lines forming Group B, Group C, and Group A. Despite Gandhi expressing skepticism Azad argued Jinnah's demand for Pakistan would be buried under this arrangement. Working Committee approved resolution against Gandhi's advice while winning Jinnah's agreement citing greater good for all Muslims. Jinnah launched Direct Action Day agitation for Pakistan on the 16th of August sparking communal violence across India. Thousands killed as Azad traveled Bengal and Bihar calming tensions healing relations between Hindus and Muslims. On the 3rd of June 1947 British announced proposal to partition India on religious lines leaving princely states free to choose dominion status. Azad abstained from voting remaining silent throughout session despite private discussions with Gandhi Patel and Nehru.
India gained independence on the 15th of August 1947 bringing scourge of violence sweeping Punjab, Bihar, Bengal, Delhi and other regions. Millions fled newly created Pakistan while millions more moved toward West Pakistan or East Pakistan. Violence claimed estimated one million lives almost entirely in Punjab region. Azad took responsibility safety Muslims touring affected areas guiding organization refugee camps supplies security. He gave speeches encouraging peace calm border areas urging Muslims remain India not fear safety. Focusing capital Delhi back peace he organized security relief efforts clashing over police commissioner dismissal. Patel opposed dismissing Sikh accused overlooking attacks fearing anger among Hindus Sikhs dividing city police. As first Minister Education Azad masterminded creation national programs school college construction spreading enrollment children young adults schools promoting universal primary education. Ministry established first Indian Institute Technology in 1951 plus University Grants Commission in 1953 under his leadership. He laid emphasis development Indian Institute Science Bangalore Faculty Technology Delhi University foreseeing great future IITs for nation.
Azad wrote many books including India Wins Freedom Ghubar-e-Khatir and Tazkirah Tarjumanul Quran Urdu text. Ghubar-e-Khatir collection twenty-four letters written primarily during imprisonment 1942 to 1946 addressing close friend Maulana Habibur Rahman Khan Sherwani. Letters never sent due no permission during imprisonment released 1946 giving all letters friend Ajmal Khan published first time that year. Book deals complex issues existence God origin religions music place religion mostly Persian Arabic couplets over five hundred lines. Ministry Minority Affairs set up Maulana Azad Education Foundation 1989 birth centenary promote education backward sections society. Government honored posthumously Bharat Ratna award 1992 numerous institutions named honor including Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi National Institute Technology Bhopal National Urdu University Hyderabad. National Education Day annual observance India commemorates birth anniversary celebrated the 11th of November every year. Jawaharlal Nehru referred him Mir-i-Karavan caravan leader calling brave gallant gentleman finished product culture pertains few today. Mahatma Gandhi counted him person caliber Plato Aristotle Pythagorus combined.
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Common questions
When and where was Maulana Azad born?
Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin entered the world on the 11th of November 1888 within the holy city of Mecca. His family moved to Calcutta in 1890 when he was only two years old.
What publications did Maulana Azad edit during his early career?
Azad edited the weekly newspaper Al-Misbah by 1900 and launched Lissan-us-Sidq which ran until May 1905 due to lack of funds. He also edited Vakil from Amritsar between April 1906 and July 1908 before publishing his most famous Urdu weekly Al-Hilal in 1912.
Why was Maulana Azad imprisoned between 1930 and 1946?
The British government banned Al-Hilal in 1914 under the Press Act for its radical content and arrested him again after he organized the raid on Dharasana salt works in 1930. He remained incarcerated inside Ahmednagar Fort for nearly four years starting from August 1942 following the Quit India struggle.
How did Maulana Azad respond to the partition of India proposal on the 3rd of June 1947?
Azad abstained from voting and remained silent throughout the session despite private discussions with Gandhi Patel and Nehru. He opposed the partition plan proposed by the Cabinet Mission on the 16th of June 1946 which envisaged grouping provinces on religious lines.
What educational institutions did Maulana Azad establish as Minister of Education?
Ministry established first Indian Institute Technology in 1951 plus University Grants Commission in 1953 under his leadership. He also laid emphasis development Indian Institute Science Bangalore Faculty Technology Delhi University foreseeing great future IITs for nation.