Was the development of a western education system the greatest achievement of Sir Syed

Ahmad Khan? Explain your answer. (14)

Or

Do you agree that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s most important contribution to Muslim community was his support for education? Give reasons for your answer? [14]

● Convincing Muslims to get Western Education

 Sir Syed Ahmad Khan took steps to change Muslims attitude towards receiving British education. Sir Syed was worried about the decline of the Muslims because of lack of modern
education. He opened schools at several places and started the scientific society at Ghazipore in 1863. Its main purpose was to make scientific writings available to a wider market
by translating them from English, Persian or Arabic to Urdu. He also started publishing a magazine called the Aligarh institute Gazette in 1866. This was to introduce modern
sciences among the Muslim public. Sir Syed went to England in 1869. He stayed there for 17 months and observed the system of the British universities. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
opened the school at Aligarh which became M.A.O (Mohammaden-Anglo Oriental) school in 1875 where English, Modern sciences and as well as Islamic teachings were taught. It
was later made a university in 1920. Following the lead for Sir Syed Ahmad many Muslim high schools and Islamia colleges were opened in many big cities of India for Muslim
students.

Sir Syed established ‘Mohammaden Educational Conference’ which was an organization to discuss the problems of the Muslims education in India. This greatly helped the Muslims
who started getting good jobs, improved their economic condition and improve their status in the society. Although encouraging the growth of western education was his important
contribution but he made other contributions too.

● To improve relations between muslims and british

Sir Syed believed that the position of the Muslims in the Sub-Continent could only be better if the relations with the British were improved. Sir Syed made a long effort to bring the
British and Muslims closer. On one side he advised the Muslims not to think of armed struggle because the British were too strong. He was aware that the British knew very little
about Islam. On a visit to England he was so offended by an English Book on the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) that he immediately wrote his own work correcting many errors. It was
also true, however, that Muslims in India knew very little about Christianity. He tried to overcome this by writing Tabyin-ul-Kalam, in which he pointed out the similarities between
Islam and Christianity and stated not to hate Christianity because to have relation with Christians was not forbidden in Islam.

On the other side, Sir Syed explained to the British that the Muslims were not responsible for the war of Independence 1857. In the book called the causes of Indian revolt, Sir Syed
explained that the wrong British policies were the cause of uprising. He further explained that the British did not understand the needs and desires of Indian people while making
laws and policies because there were no Indian members in Viceroy’s legislative council. He also explained that the British Indian army was mismanaged and soldiers rose up against
their officers. In another book Sir Syed described at length the loyalty of the Muslims to the British. Sir Syed also founded the “British Indian association” to bring the British and
Muslims closer. He also tried to clear up the misunderstanding among the British who resented being called “Nadarath” by Muslims. The Britain thought it was an insult, but Sir Syed
pointed out that the word came from “Nasir” an Arabic word, meaning Helper. So the word was reflecting the positive image Muslims had of the British, not an insult. Sir Syed was
successful in his effort and the misunderstanding was greatly removed. Muslims started coming towards English and modern education.
 ● Political awareness

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan guided the Muslims in political area as well. He advised the Muslims to keep away from congress. He opposed Western type of democracy because it meant
that the Muslims will always be in minority and will be at the mercy of Hindus. He believed that Muslims would never win any election because of the Hindu Majority. He, therefore,
introduced the separate seats and separate electorates which was the first step of the future demand for a separate homeland. Sir Syed also strongly opposed the replacement of
Urdu by Hindu in 1867 and gave his Two Nation Theory. He always kept the interests of Muslim supreme in his mind.

Although, Sir Syed’s contribution towards improving relations between the Muslims and British and increasing political awareness was important but his contribution towards western
education was very important contribution for the Islamic society. Because it helped Muslims in getting jobs and improve their status in the society.