Aligarh Movement

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Sir Syed, the founder of Aligarh movement

Aligarh Movement (Urdu: ‫گڑھ‬ ‫ )تحریک علی‬was the movement led by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, to educate the
Muslims of the South Asia after the defeat of the rebels in the Indian rebellion of 1857. Its most significant
achievement was the establishment of Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College atAligarh, which later
became Aligarh Muslim University. Activists in the Aligarh Movement became leaders of the Pakistan
Movement and Indian Independence Movement, demanding a greater voice for Muslims in the British Raj.
Aligarh Muslim University

Contents

  [hide] 

 1 Background

 2 Efforts made by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

 3 Writings of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

 4 Education

 5 See also

 6 References

 7 External links

Background[edit]

The Mutiny of 1857 soured relations between the British and the Muslim community. The British Raj
implemented a new educational policy that banned Arabic, Persian and religious education in schools and
made English not only the medium of instruction but also the official language. This spawned a negative
attitude amongst the Muslims towards everything modern and western, and a disinclination to make use of the
opportunities available under the new regime.

Syed Ahmad Khan (1817–98) was primarily responsible for the educational proposals and political activism that
inspired Muslim elites. Ahmad Khan originally founded the All India Muhammadan Educational Conference in
1886 in order to promote modern Western education, especially science and literature, among India's Muslims.
The conference, in addition to generating funds for Ahmad Khan's Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College,
motivated Muslim elites to propose expansion of educational uplift elsewhere, known as the Aligarh Movement.
In turn this new awareness of Muslim needs helped stimulate a political consciousness among Muslim elites
who helped form the All-India Muslim League (AIML).[1]

Seeing this atmosphere of despair and despondency, Sir Syed launched his attempts to revive the spirit of
progress within the Muslim community of India. He was convinced that the Muslims in their attempt to
regenerate themselves, had failed to realize the fact that mankind had entered a very important phase of its
existence, i.e., an era of science and learning. He knew that the realization of the very fact was the source of
progress and prosperity for the British. Therefore, modern education became the pivot of his movement for
regeneration of the Indian Muslims. He tried to transform the Muslim outlook from a medieval one to a modern
one.

Sir Syed's first and foremost objective was to acquaint the British with the Indian mind; his next goal was to
open the minds of his countrymen to European literature, science and technology.

Therefore, in order to attain these goals, Sir Syed launched the Aligarh Movement of which Aligarh was the
center. He had two immediate objectives in mind: to remove the state of misunderstanding and tension
between the Muslims and the new British government, and to induce them to go after the opportunities
available under the new regime without deviating in any way from the fundamentals of their faith. Keeping
education and social reform as the two planks of his program, he launched the Aligarh Movement.

Efforts made by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan[edit]

Fortunately, Syed Ahmad Khan was able to attract into his orbit a number of sincere friends who shared his
views and helped him. Among them were well-known figures like Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk,
Hali, Shibli, Maulvi Nazir Ahmad, Chiragh Ali, Mohammad Hayat, and Zakaullah. Above all, his gifted son Syed
Mahmood, a renowned scholar, jurist and educationist, was a great source of help to him.

Syed Ahmad also succeeded in enlisting the services of a number of distinguished English professors like
Bech, Morison, Raleigh and Arnold who gave their best in building up the Aligarh College into a first-rate
institution.

A brief chronology of Syed Ahmad's efforts is given below:

1859: Built Gulshan School in Muradabad.

1863: Set up Victoria School in Ghazipur.

1864: Set up the Scientific Society in Aligarh. This society was involved in the translation of English works into
the native language.
1866: Aligarh Institute Gazette. This imparted information on history; ancient and modern science of
agriculture, natural and physical sciences and advanced mathematics. This journal was published until 1926.

1870: Committee Striving for the Educational Progress of Muslims.

1875: Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental School (M. A. O.), Aligarh, setup on the pattern of English public schools.
Later raised to the level of college in 1877 and university in 1920.

1886: Muhammadan Educational Conference. This conference met every year to take stock of the educational
problems of the Muslims and to persuade them to get modern education and abstain from politics. It later
became the political mouthpiece of the Indian Muslims and was the forerunner of the Muslim League.

In 1888 Deoband Ulema issued a religious decree against Syed Ahmad Khans Organisations.

Writings of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan[edit]

Besides his prominent role in the educational uplift of the Muslims, Syed Ahmad Khan's writings played an
important role in popularizing the ideals for which the Aligarh stood. His essay on "The Causes of Indian Revolt
in 1858", and other writings such as "Loyal Muhammadans of India", Tabyin-ul-Kalam and "A Series of Essays
on the Life of Muhammad and Subjects Subsidiary Therein" helped to create cordial relations between the
British Government and the Indian Muslims. They also helped to remove misunderstandings about Islam and
Christianity. It was from this platform that Syed Ahmad Khan strongly advised the Muslims against joining the
Hindu dominated Congress. He was in favor of reserved seats for Muslims and also promoted the idea that
Hindus and Muslims are two distinct nations. This idea led to the Two-Nation Theory.

Syed Ahmad Khan's Aligarh Movement played a significant role in bringing about an intellectual revolution
among the Indian Muslims. Thus it succeeded in achieving its major objectives, i.e. educational progress and
social reform. His efforts earned Sir Syed the title "Prophet of Education".

Education[edit]

Sir Syed held the view that acquisition of modern education would help in the progress and development of
Muslim so he set up a scientific study at Ghazipur in 1862 which established many educational institution at
different places. Due to this, application of modern scientific knowledge became easy. They helped the
development of the Urdu language because modern subjects were translated into it.

See also[edit]

 Sir Syed

 Aligarh Muslim University

 The Federation of Aligarh Alumni Associations

 Pakistan Movement
 References[edit]

1. Jump up^ Abdul Rashid Kahn, "All India Muhammadan Educational

Conference and the Foundation of the All India Muslim League," Journal

of the Pakistan Historical Society (2007) Vol. 55 Issue 1/2, pp 65-83.

External links[edit]

 Comprehensive detail about Aligarh Movement

 Tehrik Aligarh at Pakistan Movement

 Aligarh movement at Story of Pakistan page

 Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Website

 Sir Syed Ahmad Khan - The War of Independence (1857)

 Aligarh movement at MeraChaman

 Muslim Students'Organization of India AMU Unit

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Aligarh Muslim University and the Aligarh Movement

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Pakistan Movement

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Aligarh division topics

Categories: 
 Pakistan Movement
 19th century in India

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

 Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898) was a great visionary, statesman and Muslim
reformer of the 19th century, the like of whom is rare. He wanted to make the
community and country progressive and take them forward on modern lines. His
supreme interest was intellectual development of the people through modern
education. He was the first Indian Muslim to contribute to the intellectual and
institutional foundation of Muslim modernization in Southern Asia. Interest of
community and country was dearer to him rather than anything else. He was
successful in making the Muslims understand the importance of modern education
and endeavour their best to achieve it in order to stand on their own legs and live a
dignified life in accordance with Islamic thoughts.
  
  Dr. Allama Mohammed Iqbal says:
 ‘’Mubtalaayay dard koi azu ho roti hai aankh
 Kis qadar hamdard saray jism ki hoti hai aankh’’
 (The eye weeps for the suffering of any and every part of the body,
 How sympathetic it is to the entire organism)
  
 To the Muslim community Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was and is like the eye which
weeps for the suffering of any and every part of the body.  The sufferings of the
community worried him. He took an oath to reform, educate and empower the
Muslim community and was successful to a great extent in implementing it despite
strong opposition from a section of the Muslim community which hated the British
and their language. Today we can see the products of the Aligarh Muslim University
adoring in every field of activity in India and neighbouring countries like Pakistan
 and Bangladesh.  They have earned a name for the community and country, thanks
to the Aligarh movement.
  
 Sir Syed’s educational caravan reached everywhere including Tamil Nadu from
where I hail. It inspired and encouraged people to take to modern education by
establishing educational institutions.
  
 BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
 Sir Syed was born on 17 October 1817 in Delhi. His family was highly regarded by
the  Mughal dynasty. His maternal grandfather Khwajah Farid was a ‘wazir’
(minister) in the court of Akbar Shah II. His paternal grandfather Syed Hadi held a
‘mansab’ of the title of Jawwad Ali Khan in the court of Alamgir II. Syed Ahmed’s
father, Mir Muttaqi was also close to  Akbar Shah but rejected the position and titles
offered to him due to his interest in mysticism. Perhaps he abhorred the way the
materialistic world functioned. He died when Syed Ahmed was about 21 years of
age. Mother, Azizunnissa Begum was, however, a strong willed woman of clearly
defined principles.  She showed extraordinary interest in the education, character
building and upbringing of her son. She was a strict and God fearing lady.
  
 EDUCATION
 Sir Syed received his education under the old system prevailing at that time. He
learnt to read the holy Quran under a female teacher at his home. After this, Maulvi
Hamidud Din, became his private tutor. He completed a course in Persian and
Arabic, and later took to the study of mathematics, which was a favourite subject of
the maternal side of his family. He later took interest in medicine and studied some
well-known books on the subject.  At the age of 19 his formal education came to an
end but he continued his studies privately. He started taking a keen interest in the
literary gatherings and cultural activities of the city.
            
 The passing away of  his father left the family in financial difficulties, and after a
limited education  he had no option but to work for his livelihood. Starting as a clerk
with the East India Company in 1938, he qualified three years later as a sub-judge
and served in the judicial department at various places.
  
 VISION
 The supreme interest of Sir Syed’s life was education in its widest sense. He wanted
to create a scientific temperament among the Muslims of India and to make the
modern knowledge of Science available to them. He championed the cause of
modern education at a time when all the Indians in general and Indian Muslims in
particular considered it a sin to get modern education and that too through English
language. He began establishing schools, at Muradabad in 1858 and Ghazipur in
1863. A more ambitious undertaking was the foundation of the Scientific Society,
which published translations of many educational texts and issued a bilingual
journal  in Urdu and English. It was for the use of all citizens and were jointly
operated by the Hindus and Muslims. In the late 1860s there occurred some
developments that were challenges to his activities. In 1867 he was transferred to
Benares, a city on the Ganges with great religious significance for Hindus. At about
the same time a movement started at Benares to replace Urdu, the language
 spoken by the Muslims, with Hindi. This movement and the attempts to substitute
Hindi for Urdu publications of the Scientific Society convinced Syed that he should
do something. Thus during a visit to England (1869-70) he prepared plans for a
great educational institution.  They were "a Muslim Cambridge." On his return he
set up a committee for the purpose and also started an influential journal, Tahzib al-
Akhlaq "Social Reform" for the uplift and reforms of the Muslims. A Muslim school
was established at Aligarh in May 1875, and after his retirement in 1876, Sir Syed
dedicated himself to make it a  college.
  
 In January 1877 the Viceroy laid the foundation stone of the college. In spite of
opposition to Syed’s projects, the college made rapid progress. In 1886 Syed
organised the All-India Mohammadan Educational Conference, which met annually
at different places to promote education and to provide the Muslims with a common
platform. Syed advised the Muslims against joining active politics and to concentrate
instead on education. Muslims generally followed his advice and abstained from
politics.  This advice is applicable even today. We have to concentrate our attention
more on education for the uplift of the backward Muslim community. Many reports
have clearly noted that the Muslims are educationally and economically more
backward.
  
 Throughout his life Syed Ahmed Khan showed concern with how Indian Muslims
could adapt to intellectual and political change accompanying Western rule. His first
mission became reinterpretation of Muslim ideology so as to reconcile tradition with
Western education and science. He argued in several books on Islam that the holy
Quran rested on a deep appreciation of reason and natural law and therefore did not
preclude Muslim involvement in scientific methodology. These themes, mixed with a
call for Muslim education, regularly appeared in his journals, the Mohammedan
Social Reformer and the Aligarh Institute Gazette.
  
 Syed Ahmed's ideas became institutionalized despite criticism from theologians. In
1862 he formed a scientific society, and 13 years later he assisted in establishing
the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College, which prospered and became the key
intellectual center for Indian Muslims - The Aligarh Muslim University. The success
of the college was largely due to his leadership and a curriculum embodying both
Western and Oriental studies.
  
 CONTRIBUTION
 Sir Syed’s contributions for the betterment and empowerment of the Muslims are
great. His position in the judicial department left him time to be active in many
fields. His career as an author in Urdu started at the age of 23. In 1847 he brought
out an important book "Monuments of the Great" on the antiquities of Delhi. Even
more important was his pamphlet "The Causes of the Indian Revolt". His interest in
religion was also active and lifelong. He wrote on the Life of Prophet Muhammad
(Sal-am) and devoted himself to write several volumes of a modernist commentary
on the holy Quran. In these works he explained how the Islamic faith could go with
progressive scientific and political ideas of his time.
  
 LITERARY WORKS
 Sir Syed was a government civil servant and s scholar. The 1857 revolt was a
turning point in his life. The following are his important works:
  
 1)    ‘’ASARUS SANADEED’’: It is an archaeological masterpiece providing a wealth
of information on countless historical monuments in Delhi from the eight hundred
long Muslim rule. This book was published in 1847.
  
 2)    ‘‘ASBAB-E-BAGHAWAT-E-HIND’’- (The causes of Indian Revolt) This book was
published in 1859 after the 1857 revolt after witnessing the atrocities committed by
the British on the inhabitants of Delhi. He saw an uncle, a cousin and an aunt dying
before his eyes. He saved his mother but she died due to privations she had
experienced. Muslims were the main targets of the government’s wrath.
  
 3)    THE ALIGARH INSTITUTE GAZETTE - It was an organ of the Scientific Society
started in 1866. It made the people think and use their wisdom.
  
 4)    ‘’TEHZIB-UL-AKHLAQ’’ – It succeeded in making people realise the value of
modern knowledge. It also gave new directions to Muslim social and political
thoughts.
  
 GOLDEN SAYINGS
 1)    Sons (of MAO college later AMU)) shall go forth throughout the length and
breath of the land to preach the message of free inquiry, of large-hearted toleration
and of pure morality.
  
 1.    Acquisition of knowledge of science and technology is the only solution for the
problems of Muslims.
  
 2.    Call me by whatever names you like. I will not ask you for my salvation. But
please take pity of your children. Do something for them (send them to the school),
lest you should have to repent (by not sending them)
  
 3.    We will remain humiliated and rejected if we do not make progress’’ (in
scientific field)
  
 4.    Get rid of old and useless rituals. These rituals hinder human progress.
  
 5.    Superstition cannot be the part of Iman (faith).
  
 6.    The first requisite for the progress of a nation is the brotherhood and unity
amongst sections of the society.
  
 7.    Yes the main purpose of this college (MAO) is to impart modern education to
Muslims who are suffering because of lack of it but this institution is for all, Hindus
and Muslims alike. Both of them need education.
  
 8.    We (Hindus and Muslims) eat the same crop, drink water from the same rivers
and breathe the same air. As a matter of fact Hindus and Muslims are the two eyes
of the beautiful bride that is Hindustan. Weakness of any one of them will spoil the
beauty of the bride (dulhan)
  
 9.    We (Hindus and Muslim) have evolved a new language Urdu
  
 10. I wish that youth of India should follow the example of young men and women
of England who are religiously engaged in the hard work of industrial development
of their country” (During the stay of Sir Syed in England).
  
 11. Look forward, learn modern knowledge, and do not waste time in studies of old
subjects of no value.
  
 12. Ijtihad (innovation, re-interpretation with the changing times) is the need of the
hour. Give up taqlid (copying and following old values).
  
 13. Do not show the face of Islam to others; instead show your face as the follower
of true Islam representing character, knowledge, tolerance and piety.
  
 14. We should not (by remaining ignorant and illiterate) tarnish the image of our
able elders.
  
 15. All human beings are our brother and sisters. Working for their welfare is
obligatory for Muslims.
  
 16. Remember that the words Hindu and Muslim are only meant for religious
distinction: otherwise all persons who reside in this country belong to one and the
same nation.
  
 ACHIEVEMENTS
 Sir Syed's greatest achievement was his Aligarh Movement, which was nothing but
an educational venture. He established schools at Muradabad in 1859 and Ghazipur
in 1863. He also founded a scientific society in 1864. When Sir Syed was posted at
Aligarh in 1867, he started the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental School in the city.
During his visit to England in 1869, he studied the British educational system and
appreciated it.
                
 Sir Syed wanted MAO College to act as a bridge between the old and the new
systems. His famous quote is that ‘’a true Muslims is one who must have the holy
 Quran in one hand and the science in the other’’. Today we can see the Aligarh
Muslim University offering different courses like Medical, Engineering, Science, Arts,
Management, Languages etc.
  
 Sir Syed’s aim was not just to establish a college at Aligarh but he was interested in
spreading education and empowerment among the people by establishing
educational institutions in every nook and corner of the country.  He, therefore,
started an organisation called ‘’All India Muslim Educational Conference’’to achieve
this goal.  It motivated the Muslims to open a number of educational institutions in
India.
  
 Although the Indian Muslim community has made some good progress in the
educational arena, still they have to go a long way  to achieve the goal that Sir Syed
visualised. Only the vision and enthusiasm of Sir Syed can help us - Muslims to
improve our educational and economic  conditions further. It is,therefore,
incumbent for us to revive the Aligarh movement once again to make the people
understand the value of modern education fully.
  
 I take this opportunity to request the Vice-Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University to
start a movement and come to the rescue of the suffering Muslim community in
India. There is no point in blaming others. One feels that the main cause for our
backwardness is lack of education. Education alone in the present context can
empower us and nothing else.  We can create a modern Islamic society only by
taking Muslims to modern professional education like medical, engineering,
teaching, management etc. No options or short cuts at all. God has given the eyes
to see and mind to analyse. We must see what is happening around us and use our
intellect to arrive at a conclusion. This is what Allah wants us to do. There is no
point in toeing an outdated concept and blaming fate for every misery. Dr. Allama
Mohammed Iqbal’s call should be taken seriously and march forward. He has said
beautifully in the couplet which we read and hear quite often sometimes it echoes
even in the Parliament but we do not give serious thought to it.
  
 Khudi ko kar buland itna ki har taqdeer say pahlay,
 Khuda banday say khud poochay bata teri raza kya hai
 (Raise your position so much that God himself may ask you ‘’tell me what is it that
you want?’’).
  
 It echoes the holy Quranic strong dictate that we should endeavour to achieve his
rewards. In short we must develop a scientific temper among the people as the holy
Quran says in different verses. We are mainly responsible for backwardness.
  
 Sir Syed also brought out a journal ‘Tehzibul Akhlaq’ and succeeded in infusing a
new desire amongst Muslims for acquiring modern knowledge.
  
 Sir Syed finally reached to the conclusion that lack of education was the main cause
of the backwardness of the community.
  
 Sir Syed became successful in his mission and gave a firm foundation of Aligarh
College (Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College) which afterwards became Aligarh
Muslim University by an act of the government. It is meant for all- Muslims as well
as non-Muslim students. All live and study here in a friendly and peaceful
atmosphere. It has got a rich cultural heritage, which is its special and inimitable
one.
                   
 The intellectuals produced in large numbers by Aligarh Muslim University served and
continue to serve the country in various capacities. The first graduate of this
University was the great revolutionary Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh. The late Dr.
Zakir Hussain, former President of India and Dr. Syed Mahmood were also Aligarh
educated dignitaries.  The university has produced innumerable doctors, engineers,
teachers, scientists, poets, writers, journalists, etc.
  
 EDUCATIONAL REVOLUTION
 The Aligarh movement launched by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan influenced the Muslims in
the country, particularly in South India.  The Souvenir brought out on the occasion
of the Centenary Celebration of Ambur Muslim Educational Society on 4th
September 2006 mentions as follows inter-alia:
 Sir Syed organised the Mohammedan (later Muslim) Educational Conference. Its
branches were established in cities and towns to report on the educational needs of
the community. This conference used to meet annually at several important cities in
the country and carried the message of modern education far and wide.
  
 The 5th session of the Conference was held at Madras in 1901 and set in a
brainwave all over the South. Like their brethren in other parts of the country the
Muslims of the Madras presidency were also antagonistic towards the English
education and therefore they were far behind their other fellow countrymen in
public service. Nawab Mohsinul Mulk Mohsinud Dowla from Aligarh inspired the
Conference with the saga of adventure which Sir Syed has brought into being in the
North. 
  
 On 16th December 1905 the Management of the Chowk Masjid madrasa which was
in existence then was taken over and later re-named as Madrasa-e-Mazharul Uloom.
Janab T.Abdullah sahib visited Aligarh, observed the educational developments
there and inspired by it prepared a plan for a Muslim school in Ambur meant for all
religions and communities without any discrimination whatsoever. It was primarily
his aim to create for young Muslims a good institution for their educational, cultural
and social developments.
  
 Many educational institutions came up in Tamil Nadu as a result of the Aligarh
movement. Today by the grace of Allah there are 11 (eleven) full fledged
engineering colleges and hundreds of Science and Arts Colleges, Higher Secondary
and Elementary Schools in difference parts of  Tamil Nadu.  Many Muslim
organisations like  All India Islamic Foundation, Sadaq Trust, The South India
Education Trust, The Muslim Educational Association of Southern India, Ambur
Muslim Educational Society, Vaniyambadi Muslim Educational Society  etc. have
 been playing a very important role in establishing institutions and imparting modern
education to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
  
 RATIONAL APPROACH
 Muslims were in the forefront in the struggle for freedom. They suffered a lot. Many
Ulema (religious scholars) were hanged in Delhi and other places. Sir Syed was
worried. He was of the view that Muslims should not be so vigorous in opposing the
British at their own cost and ignore everything including education and government
placements.
                 
 Sir Syed wanted Muslims to have friendship with the British if they want to take
their due rights. He quoted the examples of other religious communities benefiting
from the government. While he tried his best to convince the British that Muslims
were not against them, he persuaded the Muslims repeatedly to befriend the British
to achieve their goals. He also wrote many books and published journals to remove
the misunderstanding between Muslims and the British by writing booklets like
"Loyal Muhammadans of India" and "Cause of Indian Revolt". Sir Syed asked the
Muslims of his time not to participate in politics unless and until they got modern
education. He was of the view that Muslims could not succeed in the field of
Western politics without knowing the system. He was invited to attend the first
session of the Indian National Congress and to join the organization but he refused
to accept the offer.  He gave importance to the education of the Muslim community
and succeeded in it. His institutions such as the College and the Muslim Educational
Conference continued to influence intellectuals till this day and will continue to do so
in the years to come unhindered.
  
 CONCLUSION
 1)        Dr. Allama Iqbal:
 ‘’The real greatness of the man (Sir Syed) consists in the fact that he was the first
Indian Muslim who felt the need of a fresh orientation of Islam and worked for it’’
  
 2) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehruji:
  
 ‘’Sir Syed was an ardent reformer and he wanted to reconcile modern scientific
thought with religion by rationalistic interpretations and not by attacking basic
belief. He was anxious to push new education. He was in no way communally
separatist. Repeatedly he emphasized that religious differences should have no
political and national significance.’’
  
 3) Mr. Inder Kumar Gujralji
 ‘’Sir Syed’s vision and his laborious efforts to meet the demands of challenging
times are highly commendable. The dark post 1857 era was indeed hopeless and
only men like Raja Mohan Roy and Sir Syed could penetrate through its thick veil to
visualize the Nation’s destinies. They rightly believed that the past had its merits
and its legacies were valuable but it was the future that a society was called upon to
cope with.
  
 I offer my homage to Sir Syed for his vision and courage that withstood all
obstructions both from the friends and the foes.’’
 This great visionary and reformer, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, whose relevance is felt
even today and who will always remain green in our memory inspiring wise
thoughts and absolute principles in the right Islamic thinking passed away after a
brief illness on 27th March 1898 and was buried the next day in the compound of
the mosque in the College. May his soul continue to live in peace.