Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Místo: Mecca

Narozený: 1888

Smrt: 1958

Životopis:

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, commonly known as Azad, was an Indian independence activist, writer, and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress. He was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 1888 and died in New Delhi, India, in 1958. Azad was a prolific writer and journalist, and he rose to prominence through his work as a journalist, publishing works critical of the British Raj and espousing the causes of Indian nationalism. He became the leader of the Khilafat Movement and came into close contact with Mahatma Gandhi. Azad became an enthusiastic supporter of Gandhi's ideas of non-violent civil disobedience and worked to organize the non-cooperation movement in protest of the 1919 Rowlatt Acts. He committed himself to Gandhi's ideals, including promoting Swadeshi (indigenous) products and the cause of Swaraj (Self-rule) for India. In 1923, at the age of 35, he became the youngest person to serve as the President of the Indian National Congress. Azad was one of the main organizers of the Dharasana Satyagraha in 1931 and emerged as one of the most important national leaders of the time, prominently leading the causes of Hindu–Muslim unity as well as espousing secularism and socialism. He served as Congress president from 1940 to 1945, during which the Quit India rebellion was launched. Azad was imprisoned, together with the entire Congress leadership. He also worked for Hindu–Muslim unity through the Al-Hilal newspaper.