Question

The Al-Hilal newspaper, started in 1912, was founded by:

Hint:

This leader later became independent India's first Education Minister.

Answer 1

Step 1: Recall the purpose of Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal was an Urdu weekly newspaper launched in Calcutta in 1912 to spread nationalist ideas among Muslims and push for Hindu-Muslim unity in the freedom struggle.
Step 2: Identify the founder.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a scholar and freedom fighter, started this paper. He used it to criticise British rule and encourage Muslims to actively join the nationalist movement.
Step 3: Note the consequence.
The paper's strong anti-British tone led the colonial government to ban it in 1914, but it had already built Azad's reputation as an influential nationalist journalist.
Final Answer: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.