“As a social reformer, a political leader, a religious thinker and as a moralist, a rationalist, a humanist, and a jurist, he contributed much to the realm of theology, philosophy, religion, history, literature, education, and politics, besides building institutions which aimed at eradicating ignorance, apathy and superstition.”
Introduction
The greatest Muslim reformer and statesman of the 19th Century, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was born in Delhi on October 17, 1817. His family on the maternal and paternal side had close contacts with the Mughal court. His maternal grandfather, Khwajah Farid was a Wazir in the court of Akbar Shah II. His paternal grandfather Syed Hadi held a mansab and the title of Jawwad Ali Khan in the court of Alamgir II. His father, Mir Muttaqi, had been close to Akbar Shah since the days of his prince-hood. Syed Ahmad's mother, Aziz-un-Nisa, took a great deal of interest in the education and upbringing of her son.
Early Education
Sir Syed was taught to read and understand the Qur'an. He received an education to Muslim nobility in Delhi. Under the charge of Maulvi Hamiduddin, Sir Syed was trained in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and religious subjects. He read the works of Muslim scholars and writers such as Sahbai, Rumi and Ghalib. Other tutors instructed him in mathematics, astronomy and Islamic jurisprudence.
Muslim Plight After 1857 War
The upheaval of 1857 swept away the last relics of Muslim rule in India. The British troops were sewing the Mohammedans in pigskins, smearing them with pork fat, and burning their bodies and forcing Hindus to defile themselves. Governor General Canning protested against the violent temper of his countrymen and told Queen Victoria in his usually measured language. The Muslims were held responsible for the Revolution of 1857 and they had to pay a heavy penalty for their complicity in the plot.
The greatest Muslim reformer and statesman of the 19th Century, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was born in Delhi on October 17, 1817. His family on the maternal and paternal side had close contacts with the Mughal court. His maternal grandfather, Khwajah Farid was a Wazir in the court of Akbar Shah II. His paternal grandfather Syed Hadi held a mansab and the title of Jawwad Ali Khan in the court of Alamgir II. His father, Mir Muttaqi, had been close to Akbar Shah since the days of his prince-hood. Syed Ahmad's mother, Aziz-un-Nisa, took a great deal of interest in the education and upbringing of her son.
Early Education
Sir Syed was taught to read and understand the Qur'an. He received an education to Muslim nobility in Delhi. Under the charge of Maulvi Hamiduddin, Sir Syed was trained in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and religious subjects. He read the works of Muslim scholars and writers such as Sahbai, Rumi and Ghalib. Other tutors instructed him in mathematics, astronomy and Islamic jurisprudence.
Muslim Plight After 1857 War
The upheaval of 1857 swept away the last relics of Muslim rule in India. The British troops were sewing the Mohammedans in pigskins, smearing them with pork fat, and burning their bodies and forcing Hindus to defile themselves. Governor General Canning protested against the violent temper of his countrymen and told Queen Victoria in his usually measured language. The Muslims were held responsible for the Revolution of 1857 and they had to pay a heavy penalty for their complicity in the plot.
To the Muslims he advocated loyalty to the government and to the British he asked to review their policy, which would win the support of the largest minority in the country. This two-way policy resulted in the reconciliation of the Muslims.
Muslims Community Miseries
The British held Muslims responsible for this war and ignored the Hindus who were equally responsible. The Muslims were the direct target of the British policies who closed the doors of educational institutions for the Muslims. Sir Syed was greatly shocked at the destructions of the Muslims families of Delhi. The properties of the Muslims were confiscated and their jobs withdrawn. To further aggravate the situation the British replaced Persian, which was the language of the Muslims, with English as an official language. To sum up the Muslims as a community had fallen on evil days. The War of Independence left them in a state of sullen despair. They were backward educationally and impoverished economically. They were treated as pariahs in Government offices and had practically no share in industry, commerce or professions like medicine, law and journalism.
The Muslims were not prepared to learn English. On the other hand, Hindus learned this language and left behind the Muslims in the field of education, politics and economy. The English newspapers daily brought out articles against the Muslims. Maulana Hali says,
“The condition had become so bad that there was no need of condemning a Muslim. His being a Muslim was enough crime.”
Contribution in Political Field
The political career of Syed Ahmed khan began after 1957. He provided political leadership by uniting the people under a banner of Islam. He wrote various remarkable works in order to remove the suspicion of the Britishers towards the Muslims. To the Muslims he advocated loyalty to the government and to the British he asked to review their policy, which would win the support of the largest minority in the country. This two-way policy resulted in the reconciliation of the Muslims. Following were some major contribution by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
1.The Causes of Indian Revolt
Syed Ahmad Khan was so overwhelmed by the plight of the Muslims in the sub-continent that he decided to make efforts to save the Muslim Nation from total ruin. To remove suspicions of the British officers and bring them closer to the Muslims, he wrote his well-known pamphlet, The Causes of Indian Revolt, which Graham describes as ‘true and manly words’.
2.Pamphlet “The Loyal Muhammandans of India”
In this pamphlet, he drew their attention of the critics to the services of Muslims families who had saved the lives of many Englishmen, women, and children at the risk of their own lives. He also pointed out that Muslims are not opposed to Christians.
3.Indian National Congress
Sir Syed had known the intention of the Hindus and advised the Muslims not to join it. He said that Congress was mainly a Hindu body which worked for the protection of the rights of the Hindus. He asked the Muslims to get modern education first then come in the field of politics in order to protect their rights. He believed that the political activity would divert the attention of the Muslims from the constructive task and revive British mistrust.
Aligarh Movement
According to Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi,
“Syed Ahmad Khan’s contribution to Muslim renaissance in India can be summarized in one phrase, that it was the inculcation of self confidence in his people.” (The Struggle For Pakistan)
Seeing the atmosphere of despair and despondency, Sir Syed launched his attempts to revive the spirit of progress within the Muslim Community of India.
Sir Syed's greatest achievement was his Aligarh Movement, which was primarily an educational venture. He had two objects behind the foundation of Aligarh: to remove the state of misunderstanding and tension between the Muslims and the new British government, and to induce them to go after the opportunities available under the new regime without deviating in any way from the fundamentals of their faith.
Educational Services
Sir Syed rightly said,
“From the seed which we sow today there may spring up a mighty tree whose branches, like those of the banyan of the soil, shall in their turn strike firm roots into the earth and themselves send forth new and vigorous saplings. This college may expand into a university whose sons shall go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land to preach the gospel of free enquiry, of large hearted toleration, and of pure morality.”
Sir Syed established Gulshan School at Muradabad in 1859, Victoria School at Ghazipur in 1863, and a scientific society in 1864. In April 1864, Syed Ahmad Khan was transferred to Aligarh where he took the office of the newly founded Society. The Aligarh Institute Gazette, which was published in two languages – English and Urdu. Its two-fold object was to keep the British informed of the trends of Indian opinion and enable the Indians to appreciate the methods of British administration.
When Sir Syed was posted at Aligarh in 1867, he started the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental School in the city. Sir Syed got the opportunity to visit England in 1869-70. During his stay, he studied the British educational system and appreciated it. On his return home he decided to make M. A. O. High School on the pattern of British boarding schools. The School later became a college in 1875. The status of University was given to the college after the death of Sir Syed in 1920. M. A. O. High School, College and University played a big role in the awareness of the Muslims of South Asia. The following were some of the famous associations which were founded for the uplift of the Muslims.
• The Muhammadan Educational Conference(1886)
• The Indian Patriatic Association(1888)
• The Mohammadan Defence Association of Upper India(1893)
• The Mohammad Anglo-Oriental Defense Association
Social Services
Sir Syed was much worried about the social conditions of the Muslims and desired to see the revival of the Muslims in their social life. He published the most influential magazine Tahzib-ul-Aklaq in which he outlined the ethical aspects of the Muslim life. In this magazine, he criticized the conservative way of life and advised them to adopt new trends of life. He opened a number of orphan houses in order to provide them shelter. He did not want these children going to Christian missionaries.
For the promotion of Urdu, he founded Anjuman-i-Tariki-i-Urdu. He also wrote Akham-i-Taam-i-Ahle-Kitab in which he highlighted that it was not against Islam to eat with the Christians on the same table.
Religious Services
It was a gloomy period when Muslims were not allowed to practice their religion as they wanted. The Aligarh Movement protected the religious activities of the Muslims by defending them against the Christians Missionaries who were against Islam.
A Christian writer, Sir William Muir, had written a book on “Life of Muhammad” in which he had criticized the Holy Prophet(PBUH). So Sir Syed had great love for the Holy Prophet and his remarkable work, the Essays on the Life of Muhammad, is an ample proof of his love and reverence which he always carried for the Holy Prophet(PBUH)
Father of Two Nation Theory
Sir syed was far from disputation, but the Urdu-Hindi controversy had a great effect on the life of Sir Syed. Before this event, he had been a great advocate of Hindu-Muslim Unity and was of the opinion that the Two Nations are like two eyes of the beautiful bride, India. But this movement altered his point of view. Therefore, Sir Syed appeared as the spokesman of the Muslims of the Sub-Continent. He put forward the Two Nation Theory, predicting that the differences between the two groups would increase with the passage of time and two communities would join together in anything wholeheartedly.
Hindi-Urdu Controversy
In 1867, Urdu-Hindi controversy began, which was only partly stilled with the partition of the sub-continent. It became a perennial source of Hindu-Muslim discord, had important repercussions on subsequent political development, and it was during this debate that Syed Ahmad was inevitably driven to the belief that Hindu-Muslim unity was a forlorn hope.
Impact of Aligarh Movement
1. Establishment of Islamic Institutions
2. Promotion of Western Education
3. Improvement in the life of the Muslims
4. Unity of the Muslims after War of Independence
5. Promotion of Urdu
6. Political Leadership
The British held Muslims responsible for this war and ignored the Hindus who were equally responsible. The Muslims were the direct target of the British policies who closed the doors of educational institutions for the Muslims. Sir Syed was greatly shocked at the destructions of the Muslims families of Delhi. The properties of the Muslims were confiscated and their jobs withdrawn. To further aggravate the situation the British replaced Persian, which was the language of the Muslims, with English as an official language. To sum up the Muslims as a community had fallen on evil days. The War of Independence left them in a state of sullen despair. They were backward educationally and impoverished economically. They were treated as pariahs in Government offices and had practically no share in industry, commerce or professions like medicine, law and journalism.
The Muslims were not prepared to learn English. On the other hand, Hindus learned this language and left behind the Muslims in the field of education, politics and economy. The English newspapers daily brought out articles against the Muslims. Maulana Hali says,
“The condition had become so bad that there was no need of condemning a Muslim. His being a Muslim was enough crime.”
Contribution in Political Field
The political career of Syed Ahmed khan began after 1957. He provided political leadership by uniting the people under a banner of Islam. He wrote various remarkable works in order to remove the suspicion of the Britishers towards the Muslims. To the Muslims he advocated loyalty to the government and to the British he asked to review their policy, which would win the support of the largest minority in the country. This two-way policy resulted in the reconciliation of the Muslims. Following were some major contribution by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
1.The Causes of Indian Revolt
Syed Ahmad Khan was so overwhelmed by the plight of the Muslims in the sub-continent that he decided to make efforts to save the Muslim Nation from total ruin. To remove suspicions of the British officers and bring them closer to the Muslims, he wrote his well-known pamphlet, The Causes of Indian Revolt, which Graham describes as ‘true and manly words’.
2.Pamphlet “The Loyal Muhammandans of India”
In this pamphlet, he drew their attention of the critics to the services of Muslims families who had saved the lives of many Englishmen, women, and children at the risk of their own lives. He also pointed out that Muslims are not opposed to Christians.
3.Indian National Congress
Sir Syed had known the intention of the Hindus and advised the Muslims not to join it. He said that Congress was mainly a Hindu body which worked for the protection of the rights of the Hindus. He asked the Muslims to get modern education first then come in the field of politics in order to protect their rights. He believed that the political activity would divert the attention of the Muslims from the constructive task and revive British mistrust.
Aligarh Movement
According to Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi,
“Syed Ahmad Khan’s contribution to Muslim renaissance in India can be summarized in one phrase, that it was the inculcation of self confidence in his people.” (The Struggle For Pakistan)
Seeing the atmosphere of despair and despondency, Sir Syed launched his attempts to revive the spirit of progress within the Muslim Community of India.
Sir Syed's greatest achievement was his Aligarh Movement, which was primarily an educational venture. He had two objects behind the foundation of Aligarh: to remove the state of misunderstanding and tension between the Muslims and the new British government, and to induce them to go after the opportunities available under the new regime without deviating in any way from the fundamentals of their faith.
Educational Services
Sir Syed rightly said,
“From the seed which we sow today there may spring up a mighty tree whose branches, like those of the banyan of the soil, shall in their turn strike firm roots into the earth and themselves send forth new and vigorous saplings. This college may expand into a university whose sons shall go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land to preach the gospel of free enquiry, of large hearted toleration, and of pure morality.”
Sir Syed established Gulshan School at Muradabad in 1859, Victoria School at Ghazipur in 1863, and a scientific society in 1864. In April 1864, Syed Ahmad Khan was transferred to Aligarh where he took the office of the newly founded Society. The Aligarh Institute Gazette, which was published in two languages – English and Urdu. Its two-fold object was to keep the British informed of the trends of Indian opinion and enable the Indians to appreciate the methods of British administration.
When Sir Syed was posted at Aligarh in 1867, he started the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental School in the city. Sir Syed got the opportunity to visit England in 1869-70. During his stay, he studied the British educational system and appreciated it. On his return home he decided to make M. A. O. High School on the pattern of British boarding schools. The School later became a college in 1875. The status of University was given to the college after the death of Sir Syed in 1920. M. A. O. High School, College and University played a big role in the awareness of the Muslims of South Asia. The following were some of the famous associations which were founded for the uplift of the Muslims.
• The Muhammadan Educational Conference(1886)
• The Indian Patriatic Association(1888)
• The Mohammadan Defence Association of Upper India(1893)
• The Mohammad Anglo-Oriental Defense Association
Social Services
Sir Syed was much worried about the social conditions of the Muslims and desired to see the revival of the Muslims in their social life. He published the most influential magazine Tahzib-ul-Aklaq in which he outlined the ethical aspects of the Muslim life. In this magazine, he criticized the conservative way of life and advised them to adopt new trends of life. He opened a number of orphan houses in order to provide them shelter. He did not want these children going to Christian missionaries.
For the promotion of Urdu, he founded Anjuman-i-Tariki-i-Urdu. He also wrote Akham-i-Taam-i-Ahle-Kitab in which he highlighted that it was not against Islam to eat with the Christians on the same table.
Religious Services
It was a gloomy period when Muslims were not allowed to practice their religion as they wanted. The Aligarh Movement protected the religious activities of the Muslims by defending them against the Christians Missionaries who were against Islam.
A Christian writer, Sir William Muir, had written a book on “Life of Muhammad” in which he had criticized the Holy Prophet(PBUH). So Sir Syed had great love for the Holy Prophet and his remarkable work, the Essays on the Life of Muhammad, is an ample proof of his love and reverence which he always carried for the Holy Prophet(PBUH)
Father of Two Nation Theory
Sir syed was far from disputation, but the Urdu-Hindi controversy had a great effect on the life of Sir Syed. Before this event, he had been a great advocate of Hindu-Muslim Unity and was of the opinion that the Two Nations are like two eyes of the beautiful bride, India. But this movement altered his point of view. Therefore, Sir Syed appeared as the spokesman of the Muslims of the Sub-Continent. He put forward the Two Nation Theory, predicting that the differences between the two groups would increase with the passage of time and two communities would join together in anything wholeheartedly.
Hindi-Urdu Controversy
In 1867, Urdu-Hindi controversy began, which was only partly stilled with the partition of the sub-continent. It became a perennial source of Hindu-Muslim discord, had important repercussions on subsequent political development, and it was during this debate that Syed Ahmad was inevitably driven to the belief that Hindu-Muslim unity was a forlorn hope.
Impact of Aligarh Movement
1. Establishment of Islamic Institutions
2. Promotion of Western Education
3. Improvement in the life of the Muslims
4. Unity of the Muslims after War of Independence
5. Promotion of Urdu
6. Political Leadership
To remove suspicions of the British officers and bring them closer to the Muslims, he wrote his well-known pamphlet, The Causes of Indian Revolt, which Graham describes as ‘true and manly words’.
Muslim concept of Nationality
That religion is the basic ingredient of the Muslim concept of nationality is the most recurring refrain of Syed Ahmad’s speeches and writings. A few typical extracts will bear this out:
“Some reflection is required to grasp the nature of Muslim nationality. From time immemorial, ties of common descent or common homeland have held communities together. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) obliterated all territorial and ancestral conventions and laid the foundation of a broad and enduring kinship which comprehends all those who subscribe to the formula of faith … this tribe divine assimilates all human beings regardless of colour or place of birth”.
Views on Religion
Religion is not a matter of popular beliefs or prejudices. It must pass the test of reasons. Formal piety carried to extremes defeats its own purpose. The essence of sin is immoderation. High objectives can never be achieved by wishing alone. They have to be striven for. God helps those who help themselves. The self-righteous passivity and spirit of resignation, which is mistaken for submission to the will of God, has benighted Muslim fortunes through the ages. Religion and modern knowledge do not necessarily contradict each other. The habit of running after scriptural authority on matters outside the scope of the revelation benefits neither learning nor religion.
Conclusion
Let us not make the facile assumption that Syed Ahmad was occasionally creating the separatist movement. The contributory causes of all movements in history are found in the environment itself. Leaders are seldom aware of the full implications and possibilities of the attitude they strike and the tendencies they initiate. Movements easily overflow their original banks; sluices widen into floodgates. Syed Ahmad did not more than “drive a stream of tendency” through the Muslim affairs in this sub-continent but in doing so he was making the future.
That religion is the basic ingredient of the Muslim concept of nationality is the most recurring refrain of Syed Ahmad’s speeches and writings. A few typical extracts will bear this out:
“Some reflection is required to grasp the nature of Muslim nationality. From time immemorial, ties of common descent or common homeland have held communities together. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) obliterated all territorial and ancestral conventions and laid the foundation of a broad and enduring kinship which comprehends all those who subscribe to the formula of faith … this tribe divine assimilates all human beings regardless of colour or place of birth”.
Views on Religion
Religion is not a matter of popular beliefs or prejudices. It must pass the test of reasons. Formal piety carried to extremes defeats its own purpose. The essence of sin is immoderation. High objectives can never be achieved by wishing alone. They have to be striven for. God helps those who help themselves. The self-righteous passivity and spirit of resignation, which is mistaken for submission to the will of God, has benighted Muslim fortunes through the ages. Religion and modern knowledge do not necessarily contradict each other. The habit of running after scriptural authority on matters outside the scope of the revelation benefits neither learning nor religion.
Conclusion
Let us not make the facile assumption that Syed Ahmad was occasionally creating the separatist movement. The contributory causes of all movements in history are found in the environment itself. Leaders are seldom aware of the full implications and possibilities of the attitude they strike and the tendencies they initiate. Movements easily overflow their original banks; sluices widen into floodgates. Syed Ahmad did not more than “drive a stream of tendency” through the Muslim affairs in this sub-continent but in doing so he was making the future.
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