Madan Mohan Malaviya, honoured as "Mahamana" — the great-souled — was a lawyer, journalist and political leader who founded Banaras Hindu University in 1916, one of the largest residential universities in Asia. He sought to unite the best of ancient Indian learning with modern science and technology, and served four times as president of the Congress.
Life
- 1861Born in Allahabad on 25 December into a family of Sanskrit scholars.
- 1886Makes his mark at the second session of the Congress.
- 1890s–1900sLawyer, journalist and editor; founds the Hindi weekly Abhyudaya (1907) and the English daily The Leader (1909).
- 1909, 1918, 1932, 1933Elected president of the Congress.
- 1916Banaras Hindu University is founded; its foundation stone is laid on 4 February.
- 1919–39Vice-chancellor of BHU.
- 1946Dies in Varanasi on 12 November.
- 2014Awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Vision
Malaviya believed that India needed an institution where Sanskrit, Indian philosophy and arts would be studied alongside engineering, medicine and the sciences — so that students would be both modern and rooted. He travelled the country raising funds from princes and ordinary people alike. He worked for Hindu unity, for the protection of the Ganga at Haridwar, and in later life for the entry of Dalits into temples and their initiation into sacred mantras. He helped popularise "Satyameva Jayate" as a national motto.
Criticism and debate
Malaviya was a leader of the Hindu Mahasabha in the 1920s as well as of the Congress, and some historians see his Hindu-centred politics as contributing to communal polarisation in that decade. He was also socially orthodox in personal observance, though he worked in later years to open temples and religious instruction to Dalits.
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Frequently asked questions
Who founded Banaras Hindu University?
Madan Mohan Malaviya founded BHU in 1916.
Why is Malaviya called Mahamana?
"Mahamana" means "great-souled", a title given in honour of his character and service.
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Read nextLala Lajpat RaiSources & copyright status
- Banaras Hindu University, history — facts
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Bharat Ratna awards (2014) — government record
- Historical facts: not subject to copyright.
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