Knowledge nugget of the day: 5 Interesting facts about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Abul Kalam Azad was a freedom fighter, educator, journalist, and senior leader of the Indian National Congress. He significantly influenced India’s education system. Here are five interesting facts about the Abul Kalam Azad:

1. 01

   Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was born in Mecca

   Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 1888. Azad's mother was an Arab, the while his father, Maulana Khairuddin, was a Bengali Muslim of Afghan roots who moved to Arab during the Sepoy Mutiny and then resided in Mecca. He returned to Calcutta with his family in 1890, when Abul Kalam was two years old.

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2. 02

   Launched two weekly journals to promote Hindu-Muslim cooperation

   Maulana Abul Kalam Azad founded Al-Hilal, a weekly Urdu journal, in 1912 to increase revolutionary recruits among Muslims. Al-Hilal played an instrumental role in restoring Hindu-Muslim harmony following the bad blood created between the two communities in the aftermath of Morley-Minto reforms. In 1914, the government banned Al-Hilal because it was considered a propagator of secessionist sentiments.

   Maulana Azad then started another weekly called Al-Balagh with the same mission of propagating Indian nationalism and revolutionary ideas based on Hindu-Muslim unity. In 1916, the government banned this paper too and expelled Maulana Abul Kalam Azad from Calcutta and exiled him to Bihar, from where he was released after the First World War in 1920.

3. 03

   Founding member of Jamia Milia Islamia University

   In 1920, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was elected as a member of the foundation committee to establish Jamia Millia Islamia University at Aligarh in UP. He also assisted in shifting the university campus from Aligarh to New Delhi in 1934. Now, the main gate of the campus is named after him.

   Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India's then-Union Minister for Education, is welcomed as a guest of the government in France by then-French Minister of Education Jean Berthoin. (Express Archive Photo)

4. 04

   Key architect of Independent India's education system

   Maulana Abul Kalam Azad is credited with shaping the country's modern educational system. During his tenure as education minister, the first IIT, IISc, School of Planning and Architecture, and University Grants Commission were established. The Sangeet Natak Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sahitya Academy, and Indian Council for Cultural Relations were among the most well-known cultural and literary institutes established during his tenure.

   Maulana Abul Kalam Azad with Jawaharlal Nehru. (Express archive photo)

   Azad also focused on educating the rural poor and girls, adult literacy, universal primary education, and diversification of secondary education and vocational training.

5. 05

   Youngest Person to be President of the Indian National Congress

   Maulana Abul Kalam Azad joined the Indian National Congress in 1920. He was chosen President of the Congress's Special Session in Delhi (1923). At the age of 35, he became the youngest President of the Indian National Congress.