Biography of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad – Scholar, Nationalist & First Education Minister
Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life.
Early Life & Education
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888–1958 CE) was one of the most influential Muslim scholars, political leaders, and education reformers in Indian history. As a Quranic thinker, Islamic reformer, and strong advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity, Azad’s life bridged the worlds of faith, intellect, and politics during one of India’s most turbulent periods.
Born in Mecca and raised in Calcutta, Maulana Azad received traditional Islamic education in Qur’an, Hadith, Arabic, and philosophy, but soon ventured into political journalism. His Urdu weekly Al-Hilal became a mouthpiece of revolutionary thought and anti-colonial resistance, challenging both British rule and religious sectarianism.
Legacy of Maulana Azad: Quranic Thought & National Leadership
As a freedom fighter, Maulana Azad played a key role in the Indian National Congress, often standing firm against both British imperialism and communal politics. He was imprisoned multiple times for his activism. His firm belief in a united, pluralistic India led him to oppose the partition of the country.
In 1947, he became the first Education Minister of independent India, where he laid the foundation of modern education policy, promoting scientific thinking, secularism, and universal access to learning. As a religious scholar, his Tarjuman-ul-Qur’an reflected deep Quranic interpretation infused with rational thought and reformist insight.
Maulana Azad’s legacy lives on in educational institutions, literature, secular ideals, and his unwavering devotion to both Islam and Indian nationalism. Learn more at National Archives of India – Maulana Azad Profile
Quick Facts:
- Full Name: Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Azad
- Born: 1888 CE, Mecca (Ottoman Empire)
- Died: 1958 CE, Delhi, India
- Known For: Indian freedom struggle, Quranic exegesis, education reform
- Major Works: Tarjuman-ul-Qur’an, India Wins Freedom
- Legacy: First Education Minister of India, advocate of secularism, Islamic modernist scholar