Biography of Madan Mohan Malavim

(December 25, 1861 - November 12, 1946)

Madan Mohan Malaviya, the founder of the Banares Hindu University was born on December 25, 1861, at Allahabad, in a literate but financially poor family. He matriculated in 1879 and completed law education but his earnest eagerness to serve the nation prevailed upon his legal profession.

Malaviya attended the second Congress session held in Kolkata in 1886 and delivered such an outstanding speech that everybody was spellbound. It had such an impact on the people that he was offered the editorship of the Hindustan' and the Indian Union' - both weeklies. He vehemently criticized the British economic policy.

On account of his services to the Congress, he was elected its President in 1909, 1918, 1932, and 1933. However, many nationalists raised eyebrows over him, when he laid the foundation of Hindu Mahasabha in 1906. But at no point of time during the freedom struggle was he neglected by contemporary leaders. He was invited to Table Conference in 1931. He died on November 12, 1946.