MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD

• Born on 11 November 1888 and died on 22 February 1958.
• He was senior Muslim leader of Indian National Congress during Indian independence movement.
• He is commonly remembered as Maulana Azad (word Maulana is honorific meaning ‘Our Master’) and he had adopted Azad (Free) as his pen name.
• He was first Minister of Education of Independent India.
• He had played important role in foundation of Jamia Millia Islamia at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.
• He assisted in shifting campus of university from Aligarh to New Delhi in 1934.

Freedom Movement

• During his young age, he rose to prominence through his work as journalist, publishing works critical of British Raj and espousing causes of Indian nationalism.
• He became leader of Khilafat Movement, during which he came into close contact with Mahatma Gandhi.
• He later became enthusiastic supporter of Gandhi’s ideas of non-violent civil disobedience and worked to organise the non-co-operation movement in protest of the 1919 Rowlatt Act.
• He was committed to Gandhi’s ideals, including promoting Swadeshi (indigenous) products and cause of Swaraj (Self-rule) for India.
• In 1923, at age of 35, he became youngest person to serve as President of Indian National Congress.
• He was one of main organizers of the Dharasana Satyagraha in 1931 and emerged as one of the most important national leaders of the time, prominently leading causes of Hindu-Muslim unity as well as espousing secularism and socialism.
• He served as Congress president from 1940 to 1945, during which Quit India rebellion was launched.
• He also worked for Hindu-Muslim unity through the Al-Hilal newspaper.

SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB