Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Aligarh Movement.

 After the war of Independence 1857, Muslims of United India were in great problems and
difficulties. British and Hindus both were crushing the Muslims and their civilization. At that
time Sir Syed Ahmed Khan came forward to guide the Muslims of United India. He advised
them to get education specially the English language which was the language of their masters
at that time. He started a great movement to educate the Muslims of South Asia called
Aligarh Movement.

ALIGARH MOVEMENT:
The movement which was started by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to Educate the Muslims of sub-
continent is called Aligarh Movement. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan wanted to bring closer the
Muslims and the British, so that problems and hardships of the Muslims would be reduced.
He started Aligarh Movement with high objectives.

Basically, the Aligarh movement revolves around the three points, given by the sir Syed
Ahmed Ali khan:

1) GET MODERN EDUCATION:

2) NOT TO JOIN THE POLITICS:
3) BE LOYAL WITH THE BRITISH:

1) GET MODERN EDUCATION:

Sir Syed gave much importance to modern education and his efforts and contribution to
Muslim education is very important. He opened schools at several places where he was
posted. He established Scientific Society and printed the Aligarh Institute Gazette. He was
visited England in 1869 on his own expenses to observe the working of British Universities.
Most important achievement in education sector was the founding of M.A.O College at
Aligarh in 1877. Sir Syed founded the Mohammadans Educational Conference whose
objective was to discuss and solve the education problems of Muslims in the sub-continent.
His efforts for Muslim education served double purpose. It helped the Muslims to get good
jobs and raised their status in society. It also helped in removing the mistrust between the
British and the Muslims. Therefore, education was the most important aspect of Sir Syed’s
services in the Muslims of India.
2) NOT TO JOIN THE POLITICS:
After the war of independence 1857 Sir Syed advised the Muslims not to take part in politics
unless they prepare themselves with modern education. Sir Syed advised Muslims that due
to education Hindus are superior to Muslims in political field, so to compete Hindus in
political field Muslims must get modern education first of all, so that Muslims can demand
their due rights. And in this way Aligarh movement prepared the Muslims to safeguard their
political interests.

3) BE LOYAL WITH THE BRITISH:

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan wrote “The Loyal Muhammadans of India” which helped achieve three
things. First, it helped improve cooperation between Muslim and British civic leaders since it
dispelled some of the mystery of Indian Muslim’s true goals and intentions. Second, it
helped explain the reason behind the 1857 rebellion that many Indian Muslims took part it.
Third, it helped lessen British hostility towards Muslims in light of the recent rebellion and
opened dialogue between the two parties.He used his newfound leverage with the British to
help forward his two-nation theory regarding Pakistan.