Why in the News?

March 27 is the death anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, a prominent 19th-century reformer and educationist who significantly advanced the social and educational development of Muslims.

About Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817-1898)

• Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was born in 1817 in Delhi, into a renowned Muslim family.
• He received education in Persian and Arabic and was well-versed in Islamic studies from an early age.
• Public Service and Recognition:
  • He joined the British government’s judicial service in 1876 and was exposed to Western education and ideas, significantly influencing his later reforms.
  • He served as a member of the Viceregal Council (1878-1883), the Lieutenant Governor’s Council of the North-Western Province (1887), and was involved in educational reforms as part of the Imperial Education Commission (1888) and the Royal Public Service Commission (1886).
  • He was knighted by the British in 1888 for his contributions to social and educational reforms.
• Role During British Rule:
  • After the 1857 revolt, Sir Syed helped change the British perception of Muslims, utilizing British support to improve Muslim progress.
  • He focused on education and cultural reform within the British framework to improve Muslim society.

Key Contributions:

• Educational Reforms:
  • Sir Syed founded Madrasatul Uloom in 1875, which later became Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College in 1877, laying the foundation for Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
  • He encouraged English education, believing it was essential for India’s progress. His visit to England in 1869-1870 further convinced him of its importance.
• Promotion of Critical Thinking and Modernity:
  • Sir Syed advocated for the reconciliation of Islamic faith with modern scientific thought and believed Islamic principles could coexist with modernity and science.
  • He emphasized reason and critical thinking, opposing blind tradition.
• Social and Religious Reforms:
  • He supported women’s education, opposed purdah and polygamy, and advocated for easier divorce laws.
  • He criticized the Piri and Muridi System and promoted self-discipline and independent thought.
• Political Views:
  • While involved in governance, Sir Syed was cautious about direct political engagement to avoid hostility from the British.
• Literary Contributions:
  • Sir Syed launched 3 bilingual periodicals — The Loyal Mohammedans of India (1860), The Aligarh Institute Gazette (1866), and Tehzibul Akhlakh (1870) — to promote modernity, rational thought, and cultural pluralism, combating sectarianism and bigotry.
• Hindu-Muslim Unity:
  • He once famously described Hindus and Muslims as “two eyes of the beautiful bride, that if any of the eyes hurt, made the bride ugly.” He had declared in 1884 at Gurdaspur that the Hindus and Muslims should try to become one heart and soul and act in unison.
• The Aligarh Movement:
  • It aimed to modernize the Muslim community by promoting modern education while preserving Islamic values.
  • It led to social reforms such as the abolition of purdah and polygamy, and the promotion of widow remarriage and women’s education.

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