Name: Usama Mehboob Teacher Name: Dr.

Arshad Javed Rizvi

Roll No: 2022F-SE-225 Course Code: HS-103
Section: E

ASSIGNMENT # 01
SIR SYED AHMED KHAN
Introduction:
A visionary who carved a space for rationalist thought, gave a new direction to
education, and laid the parameter of modernist Urdu prose, is none other than Sir
Syed Ahmed Khan. He did not only involve a new philosophy and pedagogy for
public instruction and write remarkable discursive prose, but also affected a change
a change in the attitude of people, especially of Muslims community, towards
social, cultural and national identity.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was born on October 17, 1817 in Delhi. His father Syed
Muttaqi Muhammad was an advisor to Emperor Akbar, while his grand father Syed
Hadi Alamgir held a position of prominence in the Mughal court. He received his
early education from his maternal father Khuwaja Fasihuddin and learnt about the
workings of the court from his uncle, Maulvi Muhammad Khalilullah.
One of the most influential Muslim politicians of his time, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was
suspicious of the Indian independence movement and called upon Muslims to
loyally serve the British Raj. He was, however, critical of aspects of British policy
and worked to change these. He responded to negative British views of Islam
against non-Muslim criticism, especially the idea that Islam was “injurious to
human society,” argued by Sir William Muir, Lt Governer of the north west
Provinces.

Political Services Of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a prominent Muslim philosopher, reformer and
educationalist who played a significant role in the political and social awakening of
the Indian Muslim community during the British colonial period. Some of his key
political services are:
Name: Usama Mehboob Teacher Name: Dr. Arshad Javed Rizvi
Roll No: 2022F-SE-225 Course Code: HS-103
Section: E

Advocacy For Muslims Political Rights:

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a strong advocate for Muslims Political rights in India. He
believed that Muslims should be adequately represented in the British colonial
government and advocated for separate electorates for Muslim to ensure their
political representation.

Support For The British Government:

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the supporter of the British government in India. He
believed that, Muslims could benefit from the British system of Goverance and
education and encourage them to seek Employment in the colonial administration.

Two Nation Theory:

Sir Syed is considered as the first person to theorize the idea of separate nation
hood for Muslims in subcontinent. In a speech at Meerut in (1866) he presented an
overall scenario of postcolonial phase in which he described Muslims and Hindus
as two nations. He’s regarded as the father of Two-Nation Theory and the pioneer
of Muslim nationalism which led to the partition of India. Urdu-Hindi controversy
is seen as the transformation of Sir Syed’s views towards Muslim nationhood which
he expressed in the speeches during later days.

All-India Muslim League:

Sir Syed’s educational model and progressive thinking inspired Muslim elites who
supported the All India Muslim League. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded the All India
Muhammadan Educational Conference in (1886) in order to promote Western
education, especially science and literature, among India’s Muslims.
Name: Usama Mehboob Teacher Name: Dr. Arshad Javed Rizvi
Roll No: 2022F-SE-225 Course Code: HS-103
Section: E

Educational Services:
1. Sir Syed’s role in education at that time is the highlights of his services.
2. He has a keen sense that Muslims cannot progress without accepting
western education.
3. In (1859), he established a Persian school at Moradabad.
4. In (1863), he established a scientific society in Gazipur for the translation of
scientific work written in English to language that the Muslims can
understand including Arabic, Urdu and Persian.
5. In (1877), he established Mohammad Anglo-Oriental College that was based
on the English public-school system and offered western education along
with Islamic.
6. Anglo-Oriental college helped Muslims get better knowledge and allowed
them to beg better Government jobs after graduation, improving the British-
Muslim relationship.
7. Translating the books helped Muslims better understand British. It allowed
Muslims to see them as more than invaders and learn from their advanced
and modern knowledge.