Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya

Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was the founder of Banaras (Hindu) University which stands as an enduring memorial to his foresight, educational ideals, and passion for Indian culture. Malaviyaji attended the Congress session from 1886 to 1936 and presided over the sessions of 1909 and 1918. In his presidential address at the Lahore session he declared that "it is righteousness alone that wins."
Born at Allahabad in an orthodox Brahmin family, young Malaviya had his early education in Sanskrit. He graduated from the Calcutta University in 1884 and started his career as a teacher. He edited a Hindu weekly called "Hindustan" and an English weekly called "Indian Union."

Malaviyaji was the Vice Chairman of the Allahabad Municipality and member of the provincial Legislative Council and of the Imperial Legislative Council. He was a gifted speaker. He was a member of the Indian Industrial Commission in 1916. He attended the Round Table Conference in London in 1931

The "Spotless Pandit," as Malaviyaji was described by a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council, was the epitome of selfless service in the cause of the nation. Though orthodox in his personal habits, Malaviyaji was for removing the disabilities of women and the depressed classes of people.



25.12.1861 Born in Allahabad

1878 Marriage with Kundan Devi in Mirzapur

1884 B.A. from Calcutta University

July 1884 Teacher in Allahabad District School

December 1886 IInd Congress in Calcutta under
chairmanship of Dadabhai Nouroji. Speech on the issue of representation in Councils

July 1887 Editorship of the Hindosthan in Kalakankar. Founding conference of Bharat Dharma Mandal

July 1889 Leaving editorship joins LL.B. in Allahabad

1891 Passing LL.B. starts practice in Allahabad District Court

December 1893 Practice at Allahabad High Court

March 1898 Submits memorandum about Hindi to U.P. Lt. Governor

1902-1903 Construction of Hindu Boarding House in Allahabad

1903-1912 Service to province as member of Provincial Council

1904 Proposal of establishing university under chairmanship of Kashi Naresh

January 1906 Convened Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha on Kumbh in Allahabad.
Propagation of liberal Sanatan Dharma. Decision to open university in Banaras

1907 Editorship of the Abhyudaya. Propagation of Sanatan Dharma and democratic principles

1909 Ediotrship of the English daily Leader. Chaired the Lahore Congress

October 1910 Presidential address in Ist Conference of Hindi Sahitya Sammelan

22.11.1911 Formation of the Hindu University Society

December 1911 At 50 gave up practice. Decision to serve country and work for establishing the university

February 1915 Formation of Prayaga Seva Samiti under his chairmanship

October 1915 The Banarans Hindu University Bill passed

04 Feb- 1916 Foundation ceremony of the university


March 1916 Bill against Indentured Labour system in Councils

1916-18 Member, Industrial Commission


1918 Formation of Scout Association by Seva Samiti

December 1918 Chaired Annual Congress Conference in Delhi
Feburary 1919 Debate on the Rowlett Bill in Council. Resignation from Council

Nov. 1919-Sep. 1939 Vice Chancellor, B.H.U.


19 April 1919 Chaired Hindi Sahitya Sammelan in Bombay

January 1922 Convened all party conference

16 December 1922 Speech on Hindu Muslim goodwill in Lahore

1924 Formation of Independent Party in District and Assembly .
Satyagraha on Sangam [Confluence of rivers] in Allahabad. Debate on the Steel Conservation Bill

August 1926 Formation of Congress Independent Party with Lala Lajpat Rai

February 1927 Statement before Agriculture Commission

December 1929 Convocation address in BHU. Asked students to serve nation and be patriot

1930 Resigns from Assembly. Arrested in Delhi. Six months sentence

5 April 1931 Speech on Hindu Muslim Unity in Kanpur

1931 Took part with Gandhi in the London Round Table Conference

March 1932 Formation of All India Swadeshi Union in Banaras

20 April 1932 Nominated President of Delhi Congress. Arrested

September 1932 Chaired meeting on emancipation of outcasts in Bombay

April 1932 As Calcutta Congress President arrested in Asansole

August 1934 Speech on emancipation of the outcasts in Gandhi's meeting in Banaras

January 1936 Convened Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha Conference in Allahabad. Proposal for emancipation of outcasts

1938 K??alpa [Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy]

November 1939 Appointed life Rector of BHU

1941 Founded Goraksha Mandal

January 1942 Gandhi's convocation address on Silver Jubilee of BHU

12 November -1946 Passed Away