Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, also known as Maulana Azad, was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and an esteemed educationist. He was one of the foremost leaders of India’s independence movement, serving as the first Minister of Education in independent India. He was also a prolific writer, philosopher, and a leading figure in the Indian Muslim community. In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of this visionary leader, and examine his contributions to the Indian independence movement and education system.
Early Life and Education
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was born on November 11, 1888, in Mecca, and he passed away on 22 February 1958, in Delhi India, which was then a part of the Ottoman Empire. His father, Maulana Muhammad Khairuddin, was an Islamic scholar who had migrated from Bengal to Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Azad’s family returned to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1890, where he received his early education at home under the tutelage of his father and other renowned scholars. Azad was a prodigy and had mastered several languages, including Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, by the age of ten.
Azad’s father passed away when he was only eleven years old. However, his thirst for knowledge continued, and he immersed himself in studying Islamic theology, philosophy, and the Quran. Azad also developed a keen interest in mathematics, science, and literature. In 1905, at the age of seventeen, he started publishing a magazine called Al-Hilal, which became a platform for promoting nationalism and anti-British sentiment in India.
Contribution to India’s Independence Movement
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was an ardent nationalist and played a significant role in India’s independence movement. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1916 and was elected as the president of the party in 1923. Azad’s speeches and writings played a crucial role in mobilizing people against British rule.
Azad also participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. He was arrested several times and spent a total of nine years in British jails. However, Azad continued his fight for independence even while in prison. He wrote extensively during his confinement, and his works, including his autobiography, “India Wins Freedom,” became seminal works on the Indian freedom struggle.
After India gained independence in 1947, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad became the first Minister of Education in independent India. He worked tirelessly to build a modern education system in India that would help uplift the masses and create a more egalitarian society. Azad believed that education was the key to India’s progress and development and worked hard to promote it.
Contribution to Education
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a strong proponent of education and believed that it was the only means to eradicate poverty, ignorance, and superstition. He worked tirelessly to promote education, especially among the Muslim community, which he felt was lagging behind in education.
Azad was instrumental in setting up several institutions of higher learning, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR). He also played a key role in the establishment of the University of Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia, and the Aligarh Muslim University.
Legacy
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s contributions to Indian society are immense. His leadership and intellectualism have left an indelible mark on Indian history. He was a strong advocate of communal harmony and was instrumental in promoting the idea of a secular India.
Today, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians. His contributions to the fields of education and literature continue to be celebrated, and his teachings on communal harmony remain relevant even today.
FAQs
1. What was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s most famous work?
Ans: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s most famous work is the Tarjumanul Quran, a commentary on the Quran.
2. What was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s role in the Indian independence movement?
Ans: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad played a key role in the Indian independence movement and worked closely with other Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
3. What was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s contribution to education in India?
Ans: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was the first Education Minister of independent India and played a crucial role in shaping the education system of the country. He focused on the expansion of educational opportunities for all, including women and marginalized communities.
