Background
Azad was born Mohiuddin Ahmad in Mecca, Arabia, probably on Nov. 11, 1888. He was descended from an old family of Delhi that had produced famous religious divines and men of affairs. His father settled in Calcutta, where Azad was educated privately and finished his studies in Arabic and Oriental learning. He soon made his name as a brilliant writer and speaker; his first article was published in 1900 when he was only 12 years old. In 1906 he became assistant editor of a newspaper, but it was the publication of his own journal, Al-Hilal, in 1912 that brought him to the forefront of Indian affairs. This journal marked a new beginning in the politics of Indian Muslims, for it invited them to join in the fight for Indian independence. In 1914 the British government suppressed the journal and interned Azad. Released in January 1920, he took part in the noncooperation movement under Mohandas K. Gandhi's leadership. He later served several more terms in jail.
Elected again in 1940, he remained president till 1946 and conducted negotiations for the recognition of Indian independence with Sir Stafford Cripps in 1942, with Lord Wavell in 1945, and with the Cabinet Mission in 1946. He thus guided the destinies of the Congress for six years during the most momentous phase of its history.
Azad was independent India's first education minister and held this post until his death in New Delhi on Feb. 22, 1958.