Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: A Dreamer Leader of India’s Freedom Movement 1100 Words
Childhood and Family Background
Name:-
He was born as Sayyid Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al Hussaini in 1888 at Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Family Background:-
His father, Maulana Khairuddin, was an Indian scholar and Sufi who migrated to Mecca in the aftermath of the 1857 uprising. His mother belonged to the Arabs.
Education:-
Largely homeschooled, received a classical Islamic education in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and other areas of Islamic learning such as jurisprudence and philosophy.
Religious Influence:-
He was a product of his father’s spiritual lessons but developed an intense streak of modern rationalism and its influential thinkers like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
Intellectual and Literary Contributions
Writing and Journalism:-
He started publishing articles at a very young age, focusing on religious and socio-political issues. His most important publication was Al-Hilal in 1912, the most powerful mouthpiece in the Indian Independence Movement.
Major Works:-
Wrote several books and pamphlets amongst which include Ghubar-e-Khatir (his prison notes), Tarjuman-ul-Quran, and India Wins Freedom.
Influence on Urdu Literature:-
Azad’s oratory and poetic style became very influential in Urdu journalism. He is the most celebrated figure of both politics and literature.
Indian Freedom Movement
Join the Freedom Struggle:-
Inspired with revolutionary ideas, Azad joined the Congress Party and finally emerged as one of India’s most prominent freedom-struggling leaders.
He supported Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920. He considered this movement to be a movement against the British by uniting Hindus and Muslims.
He strongly opposed partition on communal lines and wished for a united India, where all communities could stay together in harmony.
Political Ideology and Vision
Azad firmly believed in Hindu-Muslim unity and secularism in an independent India.
Pan-Islamic Influence:-
He was influenced by the Pan-Islamic movement. First, he was an Ottoman Caliphate and then he drifted into Indian nationalism.
Critic of British Policies:-
He was a strict critic of British policies in India, particularly their divide and rule strategy that planted seeds of communalism among Indians.
Role as Congress Leader
Elected in 1923, as the youngest President of Indian National Congress, he also served through several terms during crucial years from 1940 to 1946.
Quit India Movement:-
Crucial to Quit India Movement (1942) he and other leaders were sent to British prisons.
Close Association with Nehru and Gandhi:-
Azad’s vision coincided with Nehru’s and Gandhi’s, especially regarding secularism, socialism, and religious unity.
Ideal About Education and Knowledge
Importance of Education:-
Azad was a strong advocate of modern education. He believed that education was necessary for the social and economic development of India.
Foundational Educational and Cultural Institute Creator:-
Azad envisioned creating several institutions of academic excellence and cultural institutions of this country, IITs, and the UGC.
India’s First Minister for Education:-
He also had the distinction of serving the first independent India minister as the first Minister for Education from 1947 until 1958. There his focus was on providing and bettering primary and secondary education, scientific advancement, and cultural development.
Science and Culture Contributor
Scientific Research:-
He gave a support system for scientific research organizations such as the Indian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Cultural Institutions:-
He gave an enabling platform for institutions such as Sangeet Natak Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sahitya Akademi. They helped in the preservation of Indian culture and encouraged the fine arts.
National Education Day:-
The day November 11 marks the birth anniversary is celebrated as National Education Day in India.
Views on Communalism and Secularism
Criticism of Communalism:-
Azad thought that communalism is a serious threat towards the integration of India and crusaded for a country which is secular and democratic.
State Secularism Promotion:-
He propagated to have an Indian state to be secular where people in all religions would have identical rights.
Opposition on Muslim League’s Demands:-
He opposed the country’s demand for a homeland (Pakistan) and thought that Muslims should stay in this united country of India itself.
Legacy
Icon of Unity:-
It remained the icon of Hindu-Muslim unity and was a strong supporter of secularism.
Youth Icon:-
Azad’s work in the intellectual sector, and his support for education remains an inspiration for the youth and scholars of India.
He was criticized when he rejected the proposal to divide India; they alleged that he isolated one section of Indian Muslims from the mainstream.
Great Achievements
Bharat Ratna:-
Honored posthumously in 1992, by conferring upon him the Bharat Ratna the highest civilian honour that is awarded by Government of India, for the services to the nation
Memorials and Institutions:-
Thousands of schools, colleges and other public institutions bear his name to honor his contribution toward education and communal harmony.
Statue at Parliament House:-
Statue of Azad adorns Parliament House, New Delhi as an honourable gesture of services, which he rendered to become the founder father of modern India.
Major Works and Publications
Al-Hilal:-
A revolutionary Urdu newspaper targeted for arousing Muslims and fostering nationalistic feelings against British rule.
Al-Balagh:-
Continued Al-Hilal and pursued his agenda for communal harmony and freedom.
India Wins Freedom:-
This is an autobiography, where he details India’s freedom movement and his own political ideology.
Important Ideologies and Views
Interfaith Harmony:-
Was a strong exponent of interfaith conversation and respect among people, which, he felt, was the need of the Indian future.
Universal Brotherhood:-
Underlined universal human values, where all religions appeared as different roads to one truth.
Education as Liberating:-
Argued for intellectual and cultural development being essential for the liberation of minds from colonial and orthodox shackles.
Quotes
“Education imparted by heart can bring revolution in society.”
“India is not a nation, nor a country. It is a subcontinent of nationalities.”
“Real freedom is to be free from the desire to please others.”
Conclusion:-
Legacy of a Statesman:-
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as a freedom fighter, scholar, and educationist laid the basis for modern India’s educational and secular framework.
Continuing Inspiration:-
The ideals he created, on unity, secularism, and education, continue to echo through people in all parts of India.
Inspiration for All Time:-
Azad continues to be an icon of India’s pluralistic heritage, the votary of knowledge, and the torch-bearer of communal harmony.
Also Read:- Champaran Satyagraha – The Champaran Revolt: A Nation’s Fight for Justice Begins (1917)