Madan Mohan Malaviya, also known as Mahamana, was a prominent Indian statesman, educationist, and independence activist. He served as the President of the Indian National Congress four times and was a strong advocate for Hindu nationalism. Malaviya is best remembered as the founder of the Banaras Hindu University, one of the largest residential universities in Asia. With over 35,000 students, the university offers a wide range of departments in sciences, medical, engineering, technology, law, agriculture, arts, and performing arts. He was also the founder of the Ganga Mahasabha in Haridwar and played a significant role in establishing Scouting in India. Malaviya’s contributions to Indian society and his dedication to truth and nationalism have left a lasting impact.
Quick Facts
- Indian Celebrities Born In December
- Also Known As: Mahamana, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya
- Died At Age: 84
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Kumari Devi
- Father: Pandit Brij Nath
- Mother: Moona Devi
- Children: Govind Malaviya, Ramakant Malaviya
- Educators
- Political Leaders
- Died on: November 12, 1946
- Place of death: Varanasi, UP, India
- City: Allahabad, India
- Awards: Bharat Ratna (2015)
Childhood & Early Life
Madan Mohan Malaviya was born on December 25, 1861, in Allahabad, India, into a Brahmin family. He was the fifth child among five sons and two daughters. His ancestors were Sanskrit scholars originally from Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, and were known as the ‘Malaviyas’. His father, a Sanskrit scholar, was a Kathavachak who recited stories from the ‘Srimad Bhagavat’. Malaviya aspired to become a Kathavachak like his father. He began his elementary education in Sanskrit at the age of five and later studied at various schools, including the English medium school ‘Allahabad Zila School’.
Career
While attending the second session of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta in 1886, Malaviya impressed Dadabhai Naoroji and Raja Rampal Singh of Kalakankar estate. Singh offered him the position of editor for his Hindi weekly, ‘Hindustan’. Malaviya accepted the offer and served as the editor for 2 ½ years. He later returned to Allahabad to study Law and began working as the editor of the English daily, ‘Indian Opinion’. He also founded the Hindi weekly ‘Abhyudaya’ and the English newspaper ‘Leader’. In 1924, he acquired and saved ‘Hindustan Times’ from dying out and served as its Chairman. He also launched the Hindi edition of ‘Hindustan Times’ called ‘Hindustan’.
Contributions to Education
In April 1911, Malaviya met Annie Besant and together they decided to set up a Hindu University at Varanasi. They successfully included the ‘Central Hindu College’ as part of the upcoming University. The ‘Banaras Hindu University’ was formed in 1916 and Malaviya served as its Vice-Chancellor until 1939. He dedicated himself to the cause of education and social work.
Political Career
Malaviya was elected as the president of the Indian National Congress in 1909 and 1918. He was a moderate leader and opposed the idea of separate electorates for Muslims. He played a major role in the Non-cooperation movement and attended the Second Round Table Conference as a delegate. He also presided over the 1932 session of the Congress in Delhi. Disenchanted with the ‘Communal Award’, he split away from the Congress and founded the ‘Congress Nationalist Party’ in 1934.
Awards & Legacy
On December 24, 2014, Malaviya was posthumously awarded the highest civilian honour of India, the ‘Bharat Ratna’. He passed away on November 12, 1946, in Varanasi. Many places, institutes, and hostel campuses have been named after him, including Malviya Nagar in Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Allahabad. The ‘Mahamana Express’ train, launched in 2016, is also named after him.
Personal Life
In 1878, Malaviya married Kumari Devi of Mirzapur and had two sons, Ramakant Malaviya and Govind Malaviya.