Father of modern Indian education
Born on November 11, 1888, at Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a distinguished Indian freedom fighter, scholar, writer and one of the prominent leaders of the Indian Independence Movement. Known for his powerful intellect and eloquence, Azad played a vital role in shaping India’s political landscape during the struggle for freedom and later, as an architect of its educational foundation.
Born into a family with a rich intellectual legacy, Azad’s father was a scholar and a prominent Islamic cleric. His real name was Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed, but he adopted ‘Azad’ (meaning ‘free’) as his pen name to signify his commitment to freedom. His early education was deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, as he studied Arabic, Persian, philosophy and various religious texts. Azad was fluent in several languages, including Urdu, Arabic, and English, which allowed him to engage with a diverse audience. He was deeply influenced by both Islamic teachings and the progressive ideals of freedom and equality.
Azad’s literary career began early when he launched a journal called ‘Al-Hilal’ in 1912. Through its pages, he spread messages of nationalism, unity and anti-colonial resistance, urging Muslims to join the freedom movement. ‘Al-Hilal’ was banned by the British in 1914 due to its provocative content, but Azad continued his work through another publication, ‘Al-Balagh’. His writings gained widespread popularity and made him a key figure among young Muslims seeking political and social change.
Azad joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and became a close ally of Mahatma Gandhi. He advocated for the Hindu-Muslim unity and opposed communal politics, which was a divisive strategy used by the British. He was a strong supporter of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) and later played a leading role in the Civil Disobedience Movement. For his anti-British activities, he was arrested multiple times, spending years in prison. Despite being a devout Muslim, he strongly opposed the partition of India, believing it was against the principles of unity and secularism that he cherished. Azad’s vision was for an independent, undivided India where people of all religions could live in harmony.
In 1923, Azad was elected the youngest president of the INC, and he would go on to serve as Congress president several times, including during the historic period of the Quit India Movement in 1942. After India’s Independence, he was appointed the country’s first Minister of Education. Azad believed that education was the key to building a progressive and enlightened society and was instrumental in establishing institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the University Grants Commission (UGC). His work laid the foundation for India’s modern educational framework and was pivotal in promoting scientific and technical education.
Azad was also a distinguished scholar and writer, and his ‘Tarjuman-ul-Quran’ (translation of the Quran) is highly regarded. His book ‘India Wins Freedom’ provides a first-hand account of the Independence movement and his views on partition.
He passed away on February 22, 1958. For his contributions, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. Azad's legacy as a champion of education, national integration and secularism continues to inspire generations of Indians. His birth anniversary is celebrated as the National Education Day in India, commemorating his enduring contributions to Indian society.
