Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

Early Biographical details

 Born: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was born in 1817 in Delhi.
 Family: He came from a wealthy family and his father gave him high quality education.
 Skills: When he was 18 Sir Syed was skilled in Arabic, Persian, Mathematics and Medicine. He was also
introduced as Sub-continent most able writer.
 Job: In 1838 his father died so he became a judge in Delhi in 1846. When the war of Independence broke
out in 1857 he was working as Chief Judge in Bijnaur and had saved the life of British women and children
during the fighting. In return for his loyalty the British gave him estate with large income but he refused.
 Belief: His Belief that armed uprising against the British was pointless made him unpopular to many
Muslims.
 He was appointed Chief justice in Muradabad and was later transferred to Ghazipore.
 In 1864 he was transferred to Aligarh where he played an important part in establishing the college.
 Retirement: In 1876 he retired from his work to concentrate on running the college and devoting himself
to improve the position of Muslims through education. He died on 27 March 1898.
 Beliefs:
Sir Syed Ahmed was extremely unhappy about the position of the Muslims in the subcontinent. Muslims social and
economic status had declined. Muslims were being treated as second hand citizen by British and Hindus.
 He believed Muslims had to accept that the British were rulers who intended to stay for many years.
 Muslims position could only be improved if they adopted a more positive approach to the British.
 Muslims needed to accept more British ideas and take advantage of British education.
 He also wanted the relations between the British and Muslims to improve by respecting Muslim’s culture and
religion.
 He realized that Hindus and Muslims are to separate nations and introduced his famous Two-Nation Theory.
 He believed that Muslims will be left behind if they do not start contributing and working with the British like
the Hindus. If Muslims will not get education then Hindus would continue to prosper because of their more
cooperative approach. He feared that, if this happens then Hindus will also dominate the Muslims
 The Aligarh Movement
Background
 • The unsuccessful 1857 War, that was fought for Independence from the British rule made the British believed
that Muslims were responsible for the uprising.
 • After 1857, the War of Independence the British started treating Muslims brutally with vengeful and merciless
punishments.
Consequences of the War of Independence
 • The Mughal Empire liquidated, and Religious Education, Persian, and Arabic were banned from schools.
 • English became the official language and medium of instructions in institutions.
 • The brutality of British, and new school system made Muslims furious. They started despising everything
western and modern as a result missing the opportunities too.
 British withdrew funding from Muslim schools and Muslims education feel in to decline.Madrassas were
closed.
 Lack of opportunities in civil service for Muslims.
 Goals of the Aligarh Movement

At that time Sir Syed Ahmed realized that the acceptance of modern knowledge is the only thing that can
pretend Muslims from further worsening their situations.
Therefore, modern education and changing the mind of Indian Muslims became the central point of his
movement.
With an idea to bring social reforms and education reforms, he launched the Aligarh Movement with the
following goals:
 - To build a relationship of understanding between Muslims and the British.
 - To persuade Muslims to learn English.
 - To motivate Muslims to get scientific knowledge.
 - To produce educated Muslims that can work side by side with British.
To persuade Muslims to refrain from agitating politics.
Outcome
 • Sir Syed's Aligarh Movement became a success, he did receive criticism by some Muslims due to his
modern opinions but some people shared his view including Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk and Chiragh Ali.
 • Some English professors also helped him with their services in setting up the Aligarh College including
Arnold, Bech, and Raleigh
 WORK:

 Improving Relation between the British and Muslim Communities:

 Sir Syed believed that the position of the Muslims in the subcontinent could only be improved if relations
with the British were improved by the Muslims gained higher-quality education. There were two major
obstacles to good relations.
1: The British had put the entire responsibility for the War of Independence in 1857 on the Muslims.
 Sir Syed wanted to ensure that this false view was corrected.
2: There was a deep-seated resentment of the British among many in the Muslim community
 Muslims felt that the British were foreign invaders they were trying to replace Islam with chiristainty and
Muslims rejected Western education
 Sir Syed wanted to ensure that the benefits and advantages of British rule, in particular in the areas of science
and technology were embraced by the Muslim community to improve the lives of the masses
 Efforts to improve British Muslim relations:

Wrote the loyal Mohammadans of India

 Gave a detailed account of the loyal services which Muslims had given and named various Muslims who had
shown particular loyalty to the British
 Not only defended Muslims from British accusations that they were disloyal but also called on them to end
their hostility towards the Muslims
Wrote pamphlet ”Essay on the causes of the Indian revolt”
 Pointed out causes of the War of Independence. (Poor management of India, forced conversions)
 Pamphlet helped convince the British that they were wrong to blame the uprising on Muslims. Some British
readily decreased hostility and sympathized.
Sir Syed removed the Nadarath Misunderstanding
 -British thought this was insult. Sir Syed said it meant “Helper”
Thus term reflected the positive term the Muslims had of the British.
 Convincing the British:

 In 1860 Sir Syed wrote “The Loyal Mohammedans of India”.

 In this work he defended Muslims and listed the name of those Muslims who remained Loyal to the British during
the uprising. In order to convince that the British were wrong to fully blame the Muslims for the uprising so
 He wrote a pamphlet “Essay on the Causes of the Indian Revolt”.
 In this he pointed the reasons for the uprising. He told that British were unable to understand the Indians. This
Pamphlet was circulated freely among the British officials in India and the copies were also sent to England were it
was studied carefully. Many British thought that he was blaming them for uprising but others sympathetic and
accepted the truth in his words. He also cleared the misunderstanding that Muslim called the British “Nadarath”,
He told that this was no insult but the word came from Arabic word “Nasir” which means helpers.
 Efforts to make Muslims acquire western education:

Journal on Tehzib ul Akhlaq

 -This journal included articles from influential Muslims who agreed with Sir Syed that there was a need for
new approach regarding education
 Some Ulemas attacked it, yet it played a major part in bringing about an intellectual revolution amongst the
Muslim thinkers.
Scientific society at Ghazipur
 Translated scientific writings from English, Persian or Arabic into Urdu; the main language of the Muslims.
 Muslims knew knowledge of science was being improved
 Helped reduce Muslim hatred towards British as they read about scientific works and realized that they were
more than just invaders but had done a lot for humanity through scientific inventions
Founded schools in Ghazipur, Muradabad
 These efforts of Sir Syed shows his commitment towards expanding educational opportunities for Muslims as
Muslims were reluctant to go in British Schools
Wrote rebuttal of an English book on The Holy Prophet (pbuh)’s life
 -Corrected errors concerning the life of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and Islam.
 Tried to convince the British that their Islamic knowledge was limited and needed to improve upon it to remove
misconceptions.
Wrote Tabyin ul Kalam (Commentary on the bible)
 -Pointed out similarities between Islam and Christianity
 This was incomplete, but shows his commitment in improving Muslim British relationship.
Established British Indian association
 A platform where members of both communities could interact with each others and
discuss various issues
 Helped to improve the level of understanding and co operation between the two people.
Wrote pamphlet “Ahka Amet’ame ahle kitab” Food laws of people of the book
 -Told Muslims that they were allowed in Islam to dine with other Christians
 Urged upon them that they were closer to the British than the Hindus (Who were reluctant to eat with the Muslims)
Established MAO (Muhammad Anglo Oriental) school in 1875, made into college in1877
 -Provided Western and Islamic education on the pattern of English Public SchoolSystem Proved
beneficial for Muslims in many ways:
 Provided quality educations to the Muslims of India and after graduating from this institute they could
get better jobs in the Government Department
 It became a symbol of unity for Muslims in the absence of the Muslim League
 Many future leaders of Pakistan such as Liaqat Ali khanand Ayub Khan were educated there and
many historians believe that this institution contributed the most for the formation of Pakistan
 ….It also helped to improve British Muslim relationship as not only many British were teaching in
this institute which created respect in the hearts of Muslims for the British but also after receiving
English education, now the Muslims were in a better position to communicate with the British in their
language and remove misconceptions
Mohammaden Educational Conference.
 -Aim was to publicize the new educational Methods being used at MAO
 This helped improve Muslim education standards
 Also played a major role in establishing a Muslim political platform in the days before the League was
established as it attracted famous orators and writers who discussed the political problems of the Muslims in
India
 It was after the 29th session of the same organization in December 1906 at Dhakathat major leaders gathered
to form the Muslim League, which was the founding party of Pakistan.
 Religious Services:

 • Sir Syed started writing, ‘Commentary on the Holy Bible’ a pamphlet that discussed the
similarities between Christianity and Islam.
 • ‘Jila’al- Qulub bi Zikr al- Mahbub’, was the first religious writing of Sir Syed, it contained a
biography of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
 • By his writing, he also tried to guide Muslims that they shouldn’t perform Bid’dah and Shirk.
 • He also wrote, Tuhfa-i-Hasan, that was a translation of a Persian book's two chapters written
by Shah Abdul Aziz. In this book, Sir Syed shared his views on Shiism.
 • He started writing another pamphlet, named ‘Food laws of people of The Book'. In this
pamphlet, he explained to Muslims that Islam doesn't forbid them from eating with Christians.
 Political Services:

 • Sir Syed Ahmed also considered the involvement of Muslims in politics very important. However, he
advised Muslims to not involve in politics until they acquire modern education and understand English.
 • He also wanted to form a better relationship between Muslims and Hindus, but he soon realized both
couldn't live together.
 • Sir Syed was invited to attend and join the Indian National Congress, but he refused the invitation and
warned the Muslims to do the same. He predicted that Congress will soon become the party to speak for the
Hindus only.
 • To discuss Muslims problems, he provided them with a program by establishing Muhammad Educational
Conference that later became an integral platform for discussing political issues of Muslims.
 • Later a full-fledged Muslim party, The All India Muslim League started from the platform Muhammad
Educational Conference after the death of Sir Syed.
 • Sir Syed Ahmed believed that there should be reserved seats for Muslims.
 Two-Nation Theory

In the starting years, Sir Syed wanted Muslims to have good relations with Hindus too. However, the Hindus’
intention seemed otherwise.
 In 1884, British men started to vote and by 1888 women also allowed to cast their vote. He realized that
democracy is coming to Britain and it will soon reach to India too because some local councils were elected
there.
Hindus are in majority, and in case if the British ever leave India then every election will be won by them.
As Hindus were four times as Muslims and they would win every election. He believed that to solve this
problem the British must treat Hindus and Muslims separately.
 Hindus wanted parliamentary system in India. Sir Syed, however rejected this by saying that as Hindus
were in majority they wanted to dominate the Muslim minority b winning ever election. So that’s why Sir
Syed Ahme advocated his “Two Nation Theory” as he realized that These nations could not live in harmony
Congress spoke of open competitive examinations for government jobs. However, Sir Syed Ahmed
rejected this as Muslims were not educated enough to pass these exams and so most of the posts would be
taken over the educated Hindus.
 Urdu had been the official language of India for many years. However the Hindus wanted it changed to
their language, Hindi. This view wasn’t shared b the Muslims as Urdu was their main language. This
provoked Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to give his “Two Nation Theory” as he realized that the Hindus and
Muslims were two different nations because of their opposite cultures
• For his idea to be considered, he also explained why Muslims and Hindus are two different nations:
Religious Differences:
 • Hinduism supports the concept of multiple Gods while Islam is based on Tauheed
i.e. the Oneness of Allah.
Cultural Differences:
 • Muslims bury their dead bodies while Hindus burnt their bodies.
 • Hindus consider ‘Cow’ a sacred animal while Muslims slaughter and eat it.
Language Differences:
 • The Hindi-Urdu Controversy is proof that Muslims and Hindus cannot work and live
side by side.
 Hindu-Urdu Controversy
 • Urdu was the language used in North-Western India during the Muslim rule.
 • It was declared the official language and all record-keeping was also done it.
 • In 1867, Hindus in Banaras demanded the replacement of Urdu with Hindi.
 • The Hindus also wanted to replace the Persian script with Deva Nagri.
 • The main reason for Hindus hatred towards the Urdu language is, it follows Persian script that is like Arabic –
the language of the Holy Quran.
 • The movement to replace Urdu, gain momentum among the Hindus and they formed a headquarter at
Allahabad.
 • This enraged the Muslims and they came out to protect the language as they considered it a unified force.
 • Sir Syed also supported Urdu and it became base for the ‘Two Nation Theory’.
 • The Hindu-Urdu controversy made Sir Syed saw things in a different light. Before it, Sir Syed believed in
Hindu-Muslim harmony.