Educational Thought of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and his Contribution to the Modern Education System of India

AbstractMaulana Azad, a rarest of the rare personality, did not compromise on two major issues, first,Unity of India and second, education to its citizens. As a first education minister of free India, hehad a great burden to democratize and universalize Indian education system, different from thethen practicing British education system and irrespective of caste, creed, religion, elite class orgender. He believed that wealth of a nation is not concentrated in country s banks but in primaryschools. He established National System of Indian Education, which is still continued in freeIndia. According to him, the aims of education are: quest of truth, the concept of justice, spreadof enlightenment, unity and cooperation, spirit of daring and practice of courtesy and chivalry.Maulana Azad was focused about girl’s education, vocational training, agricultural education,adult literacy, craft and technical education. According to Maulana Azad, educational standardsneeded to be upgraded at the university stage. The universities have not only academicresponsibilities, but social responsibilities as well. He firmly believed with Pt. Nehru that if theuniversities discharged their functions well, all will be well with the Nation. Here, the researchercritically examined his vision and contribution towards modernizing the education system.