Realism And Confidence

Key Question 4: How important was the work of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to the development of the Pakistan Movement
during the 19th century

his contribution to the education of Muslims and the revitalisation of their national consciousness: an overview of his
main educational works and their importance • an understanding of his social and political theory, and of its origins •
the impact of his work on Muslims and the western world • his relations with the British and the ulama • the reasons
for the foundation of Aligarh College • his role in the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League • the meaning
and origin of his ‘Two-Nation’ Theory and the Hindi–Urdu Controversy

Key Question 5: To what extent have Urdu and regional languages contributed to the cultural development of
Pakistan since 1947?

Focus points: • Why did Urdu become the national language? • How successful has the promotion of regional
languages been since 1947

Specified content: • the importance of Urdu and the reasons for its choice as the national language of Pakistan • the
advantages and disadvantages of Urdu as the national language • the promotion of provincial languages (Balochi,
Punjabi, Pushto, Sindhi

Q1: Write About The Background Of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan: 7 Marks:
Ans Q1:
Born in 1817 in Delhi, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan emerged as a key figure in 19th-century India. By the age of
18, his proficiency in Arabic, Persian, Mathematics, and Medicine set the stage for a remarkable journey.
The passing of his father in 1838 compelled him to seek employment, eventually leading to his appointment
as a judge in Delhi in 1846.
In the same year, Sir Syed authored the seminal work "Athar-al-Sanadeed," showcasing his interest in
archaeology and contributing to the understanding of India's historical heritage. The turning point in his life
occurred during the War of Independence in 1857, where he served as the chief judge in Bijinaur. His
leadership saved the lives of numerous English women and children, earning recognition, and a loyalty
reward from the British, which he declined.
Continuing his influential roles, Sir Syed served as Chief Justice in Muradabad, Ghazipur, and Aligarh. In
1864, he was transferred to Aligarh, where he played a pivotal role in establishing a new college. This
initiative laid the foundation for the Aligarh Movement, fostering modern education among Muslims and
contributing to a 'Muslim Renaissance.'
His multifaceted contributions, from archaeology to education and social reform, reflect the interconnected
nature of cultural and intellectual developments during this transformative period. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's
legacy endures through Aligarh Muslim University, a testament to his enduring impact on the socio-cultural
fabric of 19th-century India. His death on 27th March 1898 marked the end of a life dedicated to intellectual
pursuits, education, and the upliftment of his community.

Q2: Write About The Beliefs Of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: 14 Marks:
Ans Q2:
• Sir Syed was extremely unhappy about the position of Muslims in the subcontinent.
• Since the days of the Mughal declined the social and economic status of Muslims had declined
sharply and the role of Muslims in the war of Independence had left further decline as British took
measures to ensure that their control was unchallenged.
 • Sir Syed Ahmed felt that the poor status of Muslims was due to they were treated as second-class
citizen by British and Hindus and they had to take some responsibilities themselves.
• Most Muslims thought that British were no more than just invaders and they had nothing to do with
them.
• Sir Syed Ahmed believed that Muslims had to accept that the British were there rulers and could
only improve if they have a positive approach towards them.
• They needed to accept the British idea and their education if they wanted to improve.
• Sir Syed wanted to see Muslims untied and prospering in their social, economic and religious
fortune.
• He made this his Life's ambition and founded Aligarh movement to create educational and political
awareness among Muslims of India.

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's beliefs and convictions regarding the social, economic, and political status of
Muslims in 19th-century India were shaped by his keen observation of the challenges facing the Muslim
community. The decline of the Mughal Empire, coupled with the aftermath of the War of Independence, had
led to a sharp deterioration in the social and economic status of Muslims. British measures to solidify
control further exacerbated this decline.
One of Sir Syed's key insights was his perception that Muslims were being treated as second-class citizens
by both the British and Hindus. Contrary to the prevalent sentiment among many Muslims who viewed the
British as mere invaders with whom they had no connection, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan believed that
acknowledging British rule was a pragmatic approach. He argued that, to effect positive change, Muslims
needed to accept the reality of British rule and take responsibility for their own improvement.
Central to Sir Syed's vision was the idea that adopting British education and embracing their ideas were
essential for Muslims to enhance their social, economic, and religious fortunes. He recognized the
importance of aligning with the ruling power and leveraging education as a tool for empowerment. This
belief led him to advocate for a positive approach towards the British, acknowledging them as rulers rather
than mere invaders.
Sir Syed transformed these beliefs into a lifelong ambition by founding the Aligarh Movement. This
movement aimed to create educational and political awareness among Muslims in India, fostering unity and
prosperity. By establishing Aligarh Muslim University, Sir Syed sought to provide a platform for Muslims to
receive modern education and bridge the gap between traditional Islamic knowledge and contemporary
sciences.
In conclusion, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's beliefs reflected a nuanced understanding of the challenges facing
Muslims in 19th-century India. His emphasis on acknowledging British rule, embracing education, and
fostering unity through the Aligarh Movement showcased a visionary approach to uplift the Muslim
community in the socio-political landscape of the time. Sir Syed's legacy endures through Aligarh Muslim
University, embodying his commitment to education, empowerment, and positive engagement with the
changing realities of the period.

Q3: Write About The Reconciliation Policies By Sir Syed Ahmed Khan: 14 Marks:
Ans Q3:
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's reconciliation policies in the 19th century aimed at forging amicable relations
between Muslims and the British, distinguishing his approach from other Muslim leaders of his time. His
unique perspective advocated for friendship with the British as a strategic means to secure the rightful
rights of Muslims in India. Amid prevalent perceptions of Muslim disloyalty, Sir Syed embarked on a mission
to convince the British of Muslim loyalty and cooperation.
Muslims faced exclusion from the Viceroy's Legislative Council, and Sir Syed recognized the need to
address this challenge. He appealed to the British to end their perceived hostility towards Muslims,
emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding for harmonious coexistence. Simultaneously, he
endeavored to persuade Muslims that befriending the British was indispensable for achieving their goals in
the evolving political landscape.
Sir Syed utilized literary means to bridge misunderstandings between Muslims and the British. His
pamphlets, notably "Loyal Muhammadans of India" and "Cause of Indian Revolt," played a significant role
in dispelling misconceptions. Additionally, his commentary on the Bible aimed to demonstrate the
similarities between Islam and Christianity, promoting religious understanding.
Education was a cornerstone of Sir Syed's reconciliation policies. Recognizing Muslim reluctance toward
modern education, he challenged these reservations, arguing that learning Western sciences and English
posed no harm to Islam. He envisioned Muslims actively participating in the civil service and the army,
emphasizing the importance of embracing Western education for social and economic progress.
In response to the political challenges posed by the Indian National Congress, Sir Syed established "The
United Patriotic Alliance" in 1893, later evolving into the Mohammadan Defence Alliance. This initiative
aimed to safeguard Muslim interests and counter the political influence of the Congress.
Sir Syed's reconciliation policies extended to religious reforms. His belief in the similarities between Islam
and Christianity provided the basis for his views on interfaith relations. He advocated for Muslims to dine
with Christians and endorsed the learning of modern sciences and English within the framework of Islamic
values.
In conclusion, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's reconciliation policies were comprehensive, addressing political,
educational, and religious dimensions. His efforts aimed to foster positive relations between Muslims and
the British, navigating challenges and contributing to the socio-political landscape of 19th-century India.

Q4: Describe The Aligarh Movement: 4 Marks:

Ans Q4:
In 1869, Syed Ahmed Khan had visited Britain with his sons, for about a year and a half. He used this time
productively and was deeply impressed by the educational standards of British institutions. In 1875 Syed
Ahmed founded the Muhammadam Anglo-Oriental College in the town of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.
The Aligarh Movement, spearheaded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan during the later decades of the 19th century,
aimed at establishing a modern system of education for the Muslim population in British India. The
movement's name is derived from its core and origins centered in the city of Aligarh in Northern India.
Specifically, it finds its roots in the foundation of the Mohammedan Anglo Oriental Collegiate School in
1875.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the founder of the oriental college and other educational institutions that emerged
from it, played a pivotal role in leading the Aligarh Movement. His vision was to provide Muslims with a
modern and practical education that would equip them to navigate the changing socio-political landscape of
British India. The Aligarh Movement marked a crucial step in addressing the educational needs of the
Muslim community during this period of historical transition.

Q5: Write The Importance Of The Suez Canal In British Empire: 4 Marks:
Ans Q5:
About
Work on the Suez Canal, running through Egypt started in 1859 and was completed ten years later. It was
originally a joint venture of French-Egyptian venture, but the British bought out the Egyptians in 1875.
The Suez Canal held immense importance for the British due to the vastness of their overseas empire,
particularly in India, during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The canal, completed in 1869, played a
pivotal role in facilitating the transportation of goods to and from India, a cornerstone of the British Empire.
Not only goods but officials and soldiers could be moved quickly to India, as British control tightened Its
strategic significance lay in the substantial reduction of travel time from India and the Far East to Britain,
essentially cutting it in half.
By the time of the First World War, the Suez Canal had become the primary supply route for Persian Gulf
oil, upon which the British navy heavily depended. This dependency on oil underscored the critical role of
the Suez Canal in maintaining the operational capabilities of the British navy. Control of the canal translated
to control of the oil supply, without which the navy would be incapacitated. Therefore, by 1914, the Suez
Canal held vital strategic importance for a maritime nation like Britain.
The Ottoman raids on the canal during World War I forced the British to deploy significant troop numbers to
defend this crucial waterway. The threat to the Suez Canal demonstrated its centrality to British imperial
and naval interests, highlighting its role not only in facilitating trade but also in securing the essential
resource of oil for the British navy. The defense of the Suez Canal became a strategic imperative,
emphasizing its pivotal position in British imperial and military strategies during this period.

In 1876 Queen Victoria took the title Empress of India it was clear in nineteenth century that British
had no intention of ever gining up the Empire.
Two Nation Theory:

WHAT WAS MEANT BY TWO NATIONS?

• During the last days of the Muslim rule, Urdu emerged as the most common language of the
northwestern provinces of India. It was declared the official language, and all official records were
written in this language. In 1867, some prominent Hindus started a movement in Banaras in which
they demanded the replacement of Urdu with Hindi, and the Persian script with the Deva Nagri
script, as the court language in the northwestern provinces. The reason for opposing Urdu was that
the language was written in Persian script, which was similar to the Arabic script and Arabic, was the
language of the Quran, the Holy Book of the Muslims. The movement grew quickly and within a few
months spread throughout the Hindu population of the northwestern provinces of India. The
headquarters of this movement were in Allahabad. The opposition by the Hindus towards the Urdu
language made it clear to the Muslims of the region that Hindus were not ready to tolerate the
culture and traditions of the Muslims.
• The Urdu-Hindi controversy had a great effect on the life of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Before this event
he had been a great advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity and was of the opinion that the "two nations
are like two eyes of the beautiful bride, India". But this movement completely altered his point of
view.
• He put forward the Two-Nation Theory, predicting that the differences between the two groups would
increase with the passage of time and the two communities would not join together in anything
wholeheartedly. Sir Syed was the first person who used the words "My Nation" for Muslims and the
words Two Nation" in the subcontinent.

Syed Ahmed also wanted Muslims to have good relations with Hindus. However it seemed to him that
many Hindus did not want friendly relations. He understood the move towards democracy taking place in
Britain and America. By 1884 most British men were able to vote and in 1888 some women were allowed to
vote in local council elections. In India some local government councils were elected. Syed Ahmed knew
that the extension of democracy to India would seriously disadvantage Muslims. There was a large Hindu
majority and they would win all the elections and the power of government would always be in their hands.
If the British ever gave up India then he feared that this domination by Hindus would lead to violence
between the two communities. The answer to this problem was, he said, for the British to treat the Muslims
and Hindus separately. Later, after his death, this idea became known as the 'two nation' theory. The two
distinct groups, Muslim and Hindu, were so different and lived separate lives from one another that they
were really like two separate nations even though they lived in the same land. Syed Ahmed Khan was the
first person to express this point of view. For many Muslims this offered some hope against the threat of
Hindu control. We can see that Syed Ahmed was anticipating the events that eventually led to the creation
of Pakistan

WHY DID SIR SYED AHMED KHAN NOT SUPPORT THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS? Educated
Indians were increasingly debating the way in which their country was being governed. However, it was a
Scotsman, Allan Octavian Hume, a retired civil servant, who called together the first Indian National
Congress in 1885. This great nationalist movement he founded is usually known simply as The Congress.
Hume wanted a more democratic system of government. When seventy-two delegates met in Bombay in
1885, they included only two Muslims. This was mainly because Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was so strongly
opposed to the kind of democracy the Congress was calling for: he thought that it was not in the interest of
Muslims but was very much in the interest of the Hindus.

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS This was set up as a broad-based political organization in 1885 to
represent the political concerns in their dealings with the British. Its birth was helped by two liberal-minded
British men, Sir A Hume and Sir Henry Cotton. From the start, however, it was dominated by the Hindu
major concentrated on making suggestions on social issues to the Government, but gradually it became a
organization. In 1920, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, it became a political party and s nationalist
movement for independence from Britain. But with later developments most Mus Muhammad Ali Jinnah,
gave up expecting it to represent all Indians and saw it as the Hindu It is often known as the Congress
Party or simply, the Congress.