Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898)

Aligarh Movement
Muslims in Sub-continent after 1857…
 After War of Independence Muslims became the major target of
British.

 Muslims’ only Mughal declined.

 Muslims’ social, political, economical and educational conditions

became worst.

 British accused Muslims for war and sided with Hindus against
Muslims—divide and rule.

 Muslims had not dare to talk with British at that time but Sir Syed
Ahmed Khan came forward and worked for the betterment of Muslims.
Life of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan…

 He received his early education in Holy Quran,

Arabic and Persian.

 He was an expert in Holy Quran, history, science and

Politics.

 He wrote about 42 books.

 He worked for the awakening of the Muslims in sub-

continent after war of Independence 1857.
Contributions of Sir Syed for Muslims…
 British held only Muslims responsible for War of
Mutiny in 1857 and cooperated with Hindus even
they were also equally participated with Muslims.

 Sir Syed carefully evaluated the conditions of

Muslims who were going backward economically,
politically, educationally and socially.

 He started a movement in order to rescue

Muslims.
 Intellectual

Aligarh
Political Movement Social
Contributions

Educational
 Sir Syed’s Aligarh Movement
(1858-1898)
 Sir Syed’s Aligarh Movement was based on two
principles:
1. Modern Education for Muslims
2. Co-operation with British
 He believed that Modern English scientific education
was the matter of life and death to compete with
Hindus.
 He advised Muslims to cooperate with British in
order to gain power and participation in various posts.
 He took practical steps to implement those principles for the
betterment of Muslims in sub-continent.

1. Intellectual Services:
 He wrote 42 books

 He wrote famous book ‘’Khutbaat e Ahmedia’’ in the

answer of a English man who wrote book against
Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

 He wrote an other booklet ‘’Causes of Indian Revolt’’

in order to create goodwill between British and
Muslims after War of 1857.
2. Social and Educational Services:
 He published ‘’ Tehzib ul Akhlaq’’ magazine for the moral
correction of Muslims in sub-continent.

 He attempted to create good contacts between Muslims and British.

3. Educational Services:
 He saw the survival of Muslims in getting modern, English and
scientific education only.

 At that time Muslims did not send their children into English
schools but he insisted them to admit.

 He believed that Muslims could only compete with Hindus and

British through modern western education.
 He established Scientific Society in Muradabad in
1864, whose main objective was to translate books
from foreign languages into Urdu in a journal
namely ‘’ Aligarh Institute Gazette’’ in 1866. it
was published in two languages—Urdu and
English.
 He established Muhammadan Anglo Oriental
School (M.A.O School) in 1875 where modern
English, history , mathematics and geography
education was taught. This School later became
M.A.O College in 1877 and finally Aligarh
University in 1920
4. Political Services:
 After War of Independence 1857 the political
conditions of Muslims were pathetic and merciful.

 Mughal rule declined and Hindus sided with British

eventually Muslims remained in isolation.

 Therefore, Political survival was necessary for the

survival of Muslims in sub-continent.

 He asked Muslims to avoid from politics and attain

modern education.
 He strongly prohibited Muslims from joining
Indian National Congress 1885, which was
formed by a retired British civil servant A.O.
Hume, because it was dominated by Hindus.

 He said to Muslims that they should not trust on

Hindus because they could not friends of Muslims.

 He first time openly advocated Two Nation Theory

that Hindus and Muslims are different in every
aspect of life and they can not live together.
 Analysis
 Sir Syed Ahmed Khan is considered as the most
controversial personality of sub-continent between
Progressives and Orthodoxes.
According to Progressives:
 He worked to make Islam and modernity
compatible with each other.
 He was not against Islam.
 He contributed to modernize Islam.
 He re-interpreted Islamic values in a redefined
social, political and cultural framework.
According to Orthodoxes:

 He tried to westernize Islam.

 He was against Islam.

 He was loyal with British.

 He tried to mix up Islam with western values and

frameworks.

 Religious orthodox strongly opposed his contributions.

Thank You