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MOVEMENT
Background: After the War of Independence in 1857, the Indian Muslims had to pass
through an extremely dif cult experience. This was the period of degeneration and
decomposition but the roots of this breakdown can be seen in the earlier period
Policies of the British: The strategies of East India Company were unfair and biased
towards the Muslims. However, this discriminate attitude also continued by the British
Crown after replacing the East India Company. Actually, there was enmity between the
British and the Muslims. The British had the opinion that the Muslims were guilty for the
rebellion against the British colonial authority in 1857, After this War of Independence, the
British implemented an intentional policy of discrimination towards the Indian Muslims. The
Muslims were crushed through a mutual understanding between the Hindus and the
British. The Muslims were removed from their goverment services, deprived from
education and humiliated in the society. No one was there for the guidance of Muslims
except Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Sir Syed took the responsibility for the welfare of the
Muslims.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was born on October 17, 1817 at Delhi. He
belonged to a noble Syed family who had served for the Mughals and for the East India
Company both. He was one of the well educated among the Muslims of his time. He had
joined the East India Company before the War of Independence and was well aware of the
company and its policies. He also had a better understanding of the issues faced by the
Indian Muslims.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan served for the Muslims in various ways and he chose the place of
Aligarh as a centre of his activities. Therefore, his services for Muslims are known as
Aligarh Movement.
Focusing the Education: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan had an opinion that the Muslims should
get moder education; he focused on the scienti c education. English was a basic
prerequisite for this purpose. He thought that the Muslims must learn English language to
acquire the modern awareness. Sir Syed visited various educational institutions of England
and wanted to implement the English system of education in India. This was a hard work in
practice but he tried his best to make it possible.
Role of Bridge: Sir Syed Ahmed khan played the role of Bridge between the Hindus and
the Muslims. The British were in fright that the Muslims would try to take up arms any time
as British had snatched the power from Muslims. Sir Syed tried to remove the abhorrence
from both the sides. He had been serving in the East India Company and had saved the
lives of some British of cers during the War of Independence. Therefore, the British used
to see him well.
He expressed his thoughts that both nations are just like the two eyes of a bride. However,
due to Hindus' biased attitude he later on declared that the Indian Muslims are a distinct
nation separate from Hindus.
Risala-i-Asbab-I-Baghawat-i-Hind: After one year of the War of Independence, he made
his rst effort and wrote a book entitled Risala-i-Asbab-i-Baghawat-i-Hind (The Causes of
the Indian Revolt). Its objective was to promote an understanding between the British and
the Muslims. It was published in 1858 and was distributed among the members of the
British Parliament. He presented the factual analysis of the rebellion and assured the
British that the Muslims were not the sole responsible of the mutiny. The Hindus were also
equalled responsible for this war. He identi ed a number of reasons and explained that the
British tried to convert the Muslims towards Christianity; therefore, the Muslims got
annoyed towards them.
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