Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Freedom Fighter, Educationist
Freedom Fighter, Educationist

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Born 11 November 1888 · Outside India — Died 22 February 1958

First Minister of Education in independent India who established the foundation for modern Indian education.

Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin, better known as Maulana Azad and sometimes referred to as Abul Kalam Azad, was an Indian writer, activist of the Indian independence movement and statesman. A senior leader of the Indian National Congress, following India's independence, he became the first Minister of Education in the Indian government. His contribution to establishing the education foundation in India is recognised by celebrating his birthday as National Education Day across India.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Despite never attending formal school, Maulana Azad mastered six languages, including Arabic, Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu, and Bengali, through homeschooling and self-study.

The Story

1
Born in 1888 in Mecca, Azad was named Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin, returning to Calcutta by 1890 where his upbringing combined traditional Islamic scholarship with self-taught English and political studies.
2
🌟 In 1912, he launched the Urdu weekly Al-Hilal, using journalism as a weapon against British colonial rule and promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, which stirred a wave of revolutionary sentiment among Indian Muslims.
3At just 35 in 1923, Azad became the youngest President of the Indian National Congress, steering the party through turbulent years of the independence struggle.
4In 1934, he helped relocate Jamia Millia Islamia university from Aligarh to New Delhi, a bold move to create an indigenous educational institution independent of British influence.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Bharat Ratna

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Azad’s father fled India after the 1857 rebellion and settled in Mecca, where Azad was subsequently born in 1888 before the family returned to Calcutta in 1890.

🖼️

Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad with Gandhi and Acharya Kripalani at the Quit India Session (1942).
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad with Gandhi and Acharya Kripalani at the Quit India Session (1942).
1942
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad at Wardha Railway Station with Congress leaders including Sardar Patel (1945).
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad praying at Muhammad Ali Jinnah's grave (1951).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Mecca
Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin was born in Mecca to a scholarly Muslim family with Afghan and Arab ancestry.
1888
📚
Education
Family returns to Calcutta
Azad’s family moved back to Calcutta, where he received traditional Islamic education and self-studied English and politics.
1890
⚡
Career
Launches Al-Hilal weekly
Azad founded the Urdu journal Al-Hilal, which became a platform to promote nationalism and Hindu-Muslim unity.
1912
⚡
Career
Youngest INC President
Azad became the youngest President of the Indian National Congress at age 35.
1923
⚡
Career
Jamia Millia Islamia campus moved
He played a key role in relocating Jamia Millia Islamia from Aligarh to New Delhi.
1934
⚡
Career
Appointed Education Minister
Azad became independent India’s first Minister of Education, serving until 1958.
1947
🕊️
Death
Death in New Delhi
Maulana Azad died of a stroke, ending his influential role in independent India’s education and politics.
1958
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1912, Azad founded the weekly Urdu journal Al-Hilal, which boldly criticized British rule and became a rallying point for Indian Muslims toward nationalism.

02 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

At age 35, Azad was the youngest President of the Indian National Congress in 1923, a rare distinction in its history.

03 / 06
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He was instrumental in shifting Jamia Millia Islamia’s campus from Aligarh to New Delhi in 1934, marking a strategic move away from British influence.

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— Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Abul Kalam Azad । Ek Bharat
·YouTube
More from this archive
Abul Kalam Azad । Ek Bharat
01
Abul Kalam Azad । Ek Bharat
YouTube
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad - Freedom Fighter & 1st Education Minister
02
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad - Freedom Fighter & 1st Education Minister
YouTube
Maulana abul kalam azad : a great personality
03
Maulana abul kalam azad : a great personality
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Maulana Azad’s relentless advocacy for Hindu-Muslim unity and secularism influenced the Congress party’s stance during India’s independence movement, helping to counter divisive communal politics. As India's first Education Minister, his initiatives led to the creation of premier institutions like IIT Kharagpur and Jamia Millia Islamia’s growth, shaping India’s post-independence educational infrastructure. His vision for accessible education continues to inspire national policies, reflected in the annual National Education Day.

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