Thread by @SadaaShree

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, founder of Benares Hindu University, educationist, thinker, freedom fighter, social reformer, a truly great soul or Mahamana as he was called. #MadanMohanMalviya

Thread on his Jayanti today.

His ancestors, had migrated long back from the Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh. Their real surname was Chaturvedi, but due to their region of origin, they adopted the surname of Malaviya.

His father Pandit Vrajanath, was a pious Brahmin who earned his living by reciting the Srimadh Bhagavata( a collection of tales on Krishna). It was his only source of income, and quite meager to support himself or his family.

However like most other pious Brahmins, he never complained about his misery, and left his fate in the hands of God. Soon, Vrajnath’s father, Premdhar passed away, and he went to Gaya to do the sacred ceremonies necessary.

The priests then asked him to pray to God to grant any wish of his. Facing east, Vrajnath, folded his hands and asked
Grant me a son, the equal of whom has not been born, nor shall be born.
His wish would be true.

It was 1861, 4 years earlier, India had been through the Great Revolt, that shook the British empire, before it was suppressed. The British conquest of India was not just political, it operated at another level too.

Many ordinary Indians were led to believe that only by adopting Western mores and habits, one could progress in life. A new breed of Englishmen were being created, who were Indian outside, but British inside, the children of Macaulay.

Madan Mohan Malviya was born on December 25, 1861, near Allahabad. Being a poor man, Vrajanath could not afford to distribute sweets on a large extent, he could just manage to thank those well wishers, who came to meet him. #MadanMohanMalviya

He began his education at a Sanskrit Pathasala, called Dharmagnanopadesa, run by Pandit Haradeva. It is said that Haradeva was impressed by Madan Mohan’s recital and skills. He learnt the Laghu Kaumudi in Sanskrit, and many verses from the Bhagavad Gita.

The Gayatri Mantra was taught to him during his thread ceremony. While a good student, Madan Mohan was also an equally mischievous child, loved to play games, used to exercise regularly.

Like most others Madan Mohan, wanted to study in an English school, however his family’s rather modest financial background was an impediment. It was then that his mother Moona Devi, pledged her gold bangles to raise money.

He got admitted into the Allahabad District School, where his teacher Gordon Sahib was known for his strictness. However Madan soon became his teacher’s favorite student, with the way he managed to master English.

Inspite of the financial difficulties, his parents ensured, he would never suffer from lack of learning. Apart from his studies, he was also good at music, learnt to play the flute and sitar too. He also learnt the songs of Meera and Surdas too. #MadanMohanMalviya

He passed the FA examination from Muir College(now Allahabad University) in 1881, and later in 1884, he passed the BA examination of Kolkata University. He wanted to study MA in Sanskrit, however due to his financial condition, he had to take up a job. #MadanMohanMalviya

And so he took up a job as an assistant master at the Government High School in Allahabad. Earlier he had proved himself to be an equally good poet,at school, where he published poems under the pseudonym of Makarand. #MadanMohanMalviya

When he was 15, he impressed an audience of scholars at Mirzapur, where his grasp of Sanskrit, his knowledge was highly appreciated. One of the scholars, Pandit Nanda Roy, was so impressed by Madan Mohan, that he gave his daughter Kundana Devi in marriage to him.

His political career began in 1880, when he attended the 2nd session of the Indian National Congress under Dadabai Naoroji at Kolkata. He impressed every one there, with his short speech, being a good orator, he had a natural fluency. #MadanMohanMalviya

Vrajanath’s prayers had come true, his son’s name was indeed spreading all over. Malaviya never used his knowledge in the wrong way, he fought for justice, for the poor and innocent people. He would never take up a wrong case just for money. #MadanMohanMalviya

In the meantime, Malaviya was also involved with the freedom struggle, and was twice President of Indian National Congress in 1909 and 1918. A devout follower of Mahatma Gandhi, the latter conferred the title of Mahamana on him.

Plunging into the nationalist movement, he renounced his law practice. However when 177 freedom fighters were to be hanged in the Chauri Chaura case, he was the one who took up their case, and got them acquitted.

He was arrested in 1932, during the Civil Disobedience Movement, and once again served as President during 1932-33, making him the only person to have been President, for 4 terms, before independence. #MadanMohanMalviya

Madan Mohan Malviya's greatest achievement would however be setting up Benares Hindu University. It was a time, when the feeling among most Indians was that only Western education could provide them a better life, and Indian culture was useless.

He wanted to create an institution which could inculcate respect for Indian culture, while at the same time, ensuring the students received a modern education to. It was not an easy task, starting an University needed funds, and Malaviya took this up single handedly.

When he first made this proposal at the Congress session in Benares, it was heartily welcomed. Surendranath Banerjee, proclaimed he was willing to work for free in such an institution. #MadanMohanMalviya

The land for the Benares Hindu University, was given to him by the Raja, after much persuasion. And now began the tougher task of raising funds for the University. Malaviya began to tour the length and breadth of India, and people began to contribute for the cause.

When he reached the Nizam of Hyderabad, the world’s richest individual, the latter was reluctant to donate for what he deemed a Hindu university. Malaviya however had no intentions of returning empty handed, and so he went around the streets of Hyderabad, asking for funds.

The Maharaja of Darbhanga in Bihar, was spell bound by his Bhagavad recital during his tours. He not only donated 25 lakh rupees for the cause, but also pledged to work for it during his lifetime, but also requested other kings and rulers to donate to the project.

Malaviya collected a crore and 34 lakh rupees, earning him the title of Prince of Beggars, Gandhiji claimed, he often learnt about begging from Malaviya. #MadanMohanMalviya

Feb 4th, 1916, the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, on the banks of the holy Ganga, the foundation was laid for Benares Hindu University. A great occasion like never before, an auspicious date, on the banks of India’s holiest river, history was being made.

Lord Hardinge, the Governor General of India, laid the foundation, the function was attended by Rajas, Maharajas, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, just about every one.

Malaviya believed that Hindus should be made aware of their culture, and study of Gita, the Mahabharat, Ramayan, Vedas and Upanishads was much needed. It was what drove him to establish the university. #MadanMohanMalviya

Let our youths receive liberal education. Side by side let them also try to learn how to evaluate the teachings of other religions.- #MadanMohanMalviya
This was the ethos behind the foundation of Benares Hindu University.

He believed that young men should protect the Hindu dharma, which constituted India’s very soul. He wished that people should understand religion in it’s true sense, a code of conduct that would drive them, not just some meaningless rituals. #MadanMohanMalviya

The millions mired in poverty here can only get rid (of it) when science is used in their interest. Such maximum application of science is only possible when scientific knowledge is available to Indians in their own country. #MadanMohanMalviya

He also got support from Annie Beasant for his dream project, who was also seeking to expand her Hindu Central School. The ruler of Kashi, Naresh Narayan Singh and the Darbhanga ruler Rameshwar Singh Bahadur also supported him financially. #MadanMohanMalviya

Benares Hindu University was the first in India, to be established due to an individual’s private efforts.
And the man who did it #MadanMohanMalviya generations would forever be grateful to him.

As a journalist too, he , contributed selflessly to the cause of the media. Apart from his stint at Hindustan as an editor, he also guided smaller newspapers like Gopala and Abhyudaya, edited by P.D.Tandon. #MadanMohanMalviya

He campaigned against the Press Act in 1908, and along with Motilal Nehru, he started an English daily the Leader. In 1924, he acquired the then ailing Hindustan Times along with Lala Lajpat Rai, and G.D.Birla, and for 2 years as Chairman, turned it around financially.

He was also strongly against untouchability, and founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh in 1933, for the Dalits. He worked for eradication of caste barriers, and took an active part in the entry of Dalits into Nashik's famous Kala Ram temple. #MadanMohanMalviya

A linguist, Malaviya was fluent and a scholar in English, Hindi and Urdu apart from Sanskrit. When Hindus were massacred at Noakhali, prior to independence, and forcibly reconverted into Islam, he took in those who fled. #MadanMohanMalviya

He also started the Ganga Arati at Haridwar, and there is a small island there named after him.He proposed the adoption of Satyameva Jayate taken from the Mundakopanishad as India’s national motto. #MadanMohanMalviya

On 12th November 1946, #MadanMohanMalviya passed away, but his legacy would forever remain. In the form of the Benares Hindu University, one of India’s finest educational institutions and the Ganga Arati at Haridwar.

When you pass through the hallowed portals of Benares Hindu University, or feel mesmerized by the Ganga Arati at Haridwar, you see the legacy of Pandit #MadanMohanMalviya. Pandit Vrajnath wanted a great son, his son left behind an even greater legacy. #Naman

My article on Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya on his Jayanti do check out and share. #MadanMohanMalviya
historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2015/12/25/mad…

My podcast on Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya on his Jayanti do check out and share. #MadanMohanMalviya
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gaana.com/song/pandit-ma…