Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Biography 
Abul Kalam Azad was an Indian Muslim scholar and freedom fighter. He supported Hindu – Muslim unity in India and opposed the Indian partition. He became the first Education Minister in the Indian Government. He was given Bharat Ratna award in 1992. He was called as Maulana Azad. His original name was Abul Kalam Muhiyuddin Ahmed and Azad was his pen name. His birthday is celebrated as the National Education Day in India.
He was born on 11th November 1888 in Makkah in Saudi Arabia. His mother was an Arabian and his father Maulana Khairuddin belonged to Bengal. He knew many languages like Urdu, Arabic, Hindi, Persian and Bangla. He was taught religion, world history, philosophy, science and mathematics by private tutors. The educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan influenced him.
He criticized British government in India for racial discrimination. He visited many countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Turkey to learn pan-Islamic doctrines. He worked as a journalist and published many works. He served as the leader of Khilafat Movement and at this time had close relationship with Gandhiji. He supported the Gandhiji’s ideas of civil disobedience, Quit India Movement and promotion of Swadeshi products.
He became the youngest President of Indian National Congress in 1923. He organized Dharasana Satyagraha in 1931 and advocated secularism and socialism. He opposed the partition of Pakistan. He played a vital role in establishing Indian Institute of Technology and University Grants Commission.
He, together with Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari and Hakim Ajmal Khan founded the Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. This is to give higher education to Indians. He led a simple life and was never after material possessions and pleasures. He spun his own Khadi clothes with Charkha. He founded Swaraj Party with Chittaranjan Das. He organized Flag Satyagraha in Nagpur.
After Indian independence he was elected for Lok Sabha in 1952 and 1957 and in 1956 he served as the president of UNESCO General Conference in Delhi. He died on 22nd February 1958.
Published: N/A
Updated: October 09, 2011
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