Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Political Services:
Improving Relations with the British:
For British:
Ø He wrote a pamphlet “Causes of the Indian Revolt” in 1858.
Ø He wrote “Loyal Muhammadans of India” in which he explained the services of Muslims who remained loyal to British.
Ø He explained the word “Nadarath” to be supporter of Muslims.
Ø He wrote “Tybeen-al-Kalam” in which he explained similarities between Islam & Christianity (people of the book).
For M uslims:
Ø He asked to remain loyal to the British as they were rulers and were to stay in India for long.
Ø Muslims must learn English to acquire modern education in order to progress.
Creating Political A wareness A mong M uslims:
Ø He asked Muslims not to take part in politics unless they acquire modern education, or they will be left behind in every field by more
educated Hindus.
Ø He also asked Muslims not to join INC when it was formed in 1885, for it was a Hindu dominated body.
Ø He was against introduction of democracy and elections in India, as it would have benefitted Hindus only.
Educational Services:
Ø 1859 – He set up a school in Muradabad (where both English and Urdu were taught).
Ø 1861 – He set up another school in Ghazipur (where both English and Urdu were taught).
Ø 1863 – he established Scientific Society in Ghazipur (this society would translate modern western works into Urdu).
Ø 1866 – Aligarh institute gazette was published.
Ø 1869 – Went to England and was impressed by the educational systems of Oxford & Cambridge. He planned to set up a modern
institute on similar lines in India.
Ø 1875 – He set up Muhammadan Anglo Oriental (MAO) school.
Ø 1877 – It was upgraded to the status of a college and later a university (in 1920).
Ø 1886 – Muhammadan Educational Conference (MEC) was set up (to discuss methods and ways to promote education among
Muslims).
Social Services:
Ø He wrote “Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq” in which ethical aspects of Islam were explained.
Ø He opened up orphanages.
H indi-Urdu Controversy:
Ø Started in 1867 in UP.
Ø Hindus started protests in favor of Hindi.
Ø They were demanding that Urdu (written in Persian script) be replaced with Hindi (written in Deva Nagri script) as official
language.
Ø As a result in 1900, Hindi was given a status equal to that of Urdu.
Ø This event disappointed Sir Syed Ahmed who was convinced after this, that Hindus and Muslims can never work together.