Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946) was a prominent Indian scholar, educator, and politician who played a crucial role in India's freedom movement. Malaviya was a key figure in the Indian National Congress (INC) and served as its president four times. In 1916, he co-founded Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
Madan Mohan Malaviya co-founded the Bharat Scouts and Guides and established influential newspapers like The Leader in 1919. For his outstanding contributions, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna (2014), India's highest civilian honour.
About Madan Mohan Malaviya
Madan Mohan Malaviya was born on December 25, 1861, in Allahabad to Brijnath Malaviya and Moona Devi. He grew up in Lal Diggi (now Malviya Nagar), adopting the surname "Malaviya" from his family's Malwa origins.
- Education: He began his education at Mahajani Pathsala, later graduated with a B.A. from the University of Calcutta, and wrote poetry under the name Makrand.
- Madan Mohan Malaviya worked as an assistant master at the Government High School in Allahabad in July 1884.
- He graduated in law in 1891 and excelled as a lawyer due to his meticulous case preparation and persuasive arguments.
- Mahatma Gandhi honoured him with the title "Mahamana".
- Madan Mohan Malaviya was also bestowed the title of Pandit as a sign of respect.
Madan Mohan Malaviya Contributions
Madan Mohan Malaviya was an important leader in India's fight for independence. He was known for his strong nationalism, educational contributions, and social reforms. In 1916, he helped establish BHU in Varanasi to empower Indians and preserve traditional learning.
- An active member of the Indian National Congress, Madan Mohan Malaviya championed constitutional methods and participated in key freedom movements.
- He also dedicated himself to social reforms, uplifting the underprivileged and promoting equality in Indian society.
Madan Mohan Malaviya Role in Freedom Struggle
Madan Mohan Malaviya's actions and initiatives from the late 19th and early 20th centuries reflect his steadfast commitment to India's fight for freedom. He began his involvement in politics in 1886 with a compelling speech at the INC session in Calcutta. His eloquence and vision soon established him as a prominent political leader.
- Addressing Council Representation Issues: In December 1886, Madan Mohan Malaviya participated in the second Congress session, which was chaired by Dadabhai Naoroji and held in Calcutta. During this session, he addressed the issue of representation in Councils.
- Opposed Separate Electorates: As a moderate leader, Malaviya opposed the separate electorates for Muslims as proposed in the Lucknow Pact of 1916.
- Legislative Tenure: Madan Mohan Malaviya served on the Imperial Legislative Council from 1912 to 1919.When it was renamed the Central Legislative Assembly in 1919, Malaviya remained a member until 1926.
- Opposition to Appeasement and Khilafat: He opposed both appeasement politics and Congress's involvement in the Khilafat.
- Opposing Simon Commission: In 1928, Madan Mohan Malaviya joined Lala Lajpat Rai and Jawaharlal Nehru in protesting against the Simon Commission.
- Malaviya later represented India as a delegate at the Second Round Table Conferences in 1931.
- Campaign in England: On May 30, 1932, in response to the growing “Buy British” campaign in England, he issued a manifesto urging Indians to focus on the “Buy Indian” movement.
- Opposed Communal Award: Later that year, Madan Mohan Malaviya opposed the Communal Award, which proposed separate electorates for minorities. This led Malaviya and Madhav Shrihari Aney to form the Congress Nationalist Party, which won 12 seats in the 1934 elections.
- President of INC: Malaviya was elected president on four occasions—in 1909, 1918, 1932, and 1933. He was the only leader to serve four terms as Congress President.
Madan Mohan Malaviya Legal Career
Madan Mohan Malaviya earned his LL.B. from Allahabad University and began his legal career at the Allahabad District Court, later rising to prominence at the High Court in 1893. In 1911, he left law to dedicate himself to national service. However, in 1924, he briefly resumed practice to defend 170 individuals sentenced to death for the Chauri Chaura incident, securing acquittals for 155 and life sentences for the rest.
Madan Mohan Malaviya Journalistic Career
Madan Mohan Malaviya regarded journalism as an art and played a pivotal role in shaping the Hindi press as a medium for public service. He consistently fought for press freedom, founding the "All India Editors' Conference" and mentoring many editors along the way.
- Editor Roles: Edited Hindostan (1887) and Indian Opinion (1889).
- Founder of Publications: Merged Indian Opinion with Advocate of Lucknow and founded the Hindi weekly Abhyudaya (1907-1909).
- Co-founded The Leader (1909) with Motilal Nehru and launched the Hindi newspaper Maryada (1910).
- The Hindustan Times Leadership: Acquired The Hindustan Times with Lala Lajpat Rai, M. R. Jayakar, and G. D. Birla in 1924.
- Served as chairman until 1946 and launched the Hindi edition of Hindustan Dainik (1936).
- Additional Contributions: Published Sanatana Dharma (1933) from BHU.
- Shared his vision for India through Bharat Darshan
Madan Mohan Malaviya Social Service
Madan Mohan Malaviya was a passionate advocate for social justice and education. He actively worked to eliminate discrimination against marginalized groups.
- Efforts For Ganga Rejuvenation: Madan Mohan Malaviya founded the Ganga Mahasabha to resist the damming of the Ganga River.
- His efforts led the British government to sign the Aviral Ganga Raksha Samjhuata (Agreement of 1916) with the Ganga Mahasabha and Hindu religious leaders.
- Work for Oppressed: Madan Mohan Malaviya firmly believed that a person's internal purity was unaffected by contact with others, regardless of caste, and worked tirelessly to address untouchability.
- In 1933, he helped establish the Harijan Sevak Sangh and, as its president, led efforts to uplift and support the oppressed.
- Contribution to Education: Beyond his social reforms, Madan Mohan Malaviya made significant contributions to education. In 1889, he co-founded the Bharati Bhawan Library with Lala Brajmohan Jee Bhalla in Allahabad.
- Benaras Hindu University (BHU): Madan Mohan Malaviya envisioned a university offering education to all, proposing the idea of a Hindu University at a meeting in Kashi in 1904.
- In 1911, Annie Besant collaborated with Malaviya to establish the university in Varanasi, agreeing to incorporate her Central Hindu College.
- This effort led to the creation of BHU in 1916 under the Banaras Hindu University Act of 1915.
- Madan Mohan Malaviya served as its Vice-Chancellor until 1939 when he was succeeded by S. Radhakrishnan, who later became President of India.
- Hindu Mahasabha: The Hindu Mahasabha, formed in India in 1915, was co-founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya in response to British colonial rule and aimed to protect and promote Hindu interests.
- Throughout its history, the Hindu Mahasabha has been involved in various political movements and has played a role in the broader struggle for India's independence.
Madan Mohan Malaviya Legacy
"Satyameva Jayate," (taken from Mundaka Upanishad) meaning "Truth alone triumphs," encapsulates the enduring legacy of Madan Mohan Malaviya, who introduced this phrase at the INC session. Malaviya is also recognized for initiating the daily Aarti tradition at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, which has become a significant ritual for devotees.
- Moreover, his contributions to Indian society are honoured through various institutions and initiatives, including the Mahamana Express train, launched in 2016, named in his honour.
- Malaviya's efforts in promoting education and fighting for social justice have left a lasting impact on India's cultural and political landscape.
Madan Mohan Malaviya FAQs
Q1. Who gave Mahamana title to Madan Mohan Malaviya?
Ans. Mahatma Gandhi honored Madan Mohan Malaviya with the title of "Mahamana"
Q2. How many times did Madan Mohan Malaviya become the president of India?
Ans. Madan Mohan Malaviya was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress four times, in 1909, 1918, 1932, and 1933.
Q3. Which party was founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya?
Ans. Congress Nationalist Party was founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya.
Q4. What is the pen name of Madan Mohan Malaviya?
Ans. Madan Mohan Malaviya used the pen name "Makarand" for his poems and literary works.
Q5. What was the slogan of Madan Mohan Malaviya?
Ans. Madan Mohan Malaviya's slogan was "Satyameva Jayate," which means "Truth alone triumphs." He introduced this phrase during the Indian National Congress session in 1918.