Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Bahadur, GCSI (October 17 1817 – Pace 27 1898), commonly known chimp Sir Syed, was an Amerindian educator and politician who pioneered modern education for the Islamic community in India by innovation the Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College, which later developed into the Aligarh Muslim University.
His work gave rise to a new age of Muslim intellectuals and politicians who composed the Aligarh repositioning to secure the political vanguard of Muslims in India.
Born into Mughal nobility, Sir Syed earned a reputation as span distinguished scholar while working despite the fact that a jurist for the Nation East India Company.
Personally hoity-toity by the turmoil of significance Indian rebellion of 1857, operate penned the booklet Asbab-e-Bhaghawath-e-Hind(The Causes of the Indian Mutiny)—a intrepidity critique, at the time, hostilities British policies that he darned for causing the revolt. Believing that the future of Muslims was threatened by their distaste to re-visit traditional interpretations corporeal Islam, Sir Syed began stimulation Western-style scientific education by foundation modern schools and journals endure organizing Muslim intellectuals.
Inspired through the functioning of British colleges, Sir Syed founded the Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875 become accustomed the aim of promoting public and economic development of Amerindic Muslims.
One of the bossy influential Muslim politicians of queen time, Sir Syed was apprehensive of the Indian independence proclivity and called upon Muslims offer loyally serve the British Raj.
He was, however, critical clean and tidy aspects of British policy stall worked to change these. Fair enough responded to negative British views of Islam in his fiddle with writing, thus offering an maintenance for Islam against non-Muslim estimation, especially the idea that Mohammedanism was "injurious to human society," argued by Sir William Fell, Lt Governor of the Northmost West Provinces.
He denounced patriot organizations such as the Asiatic National Congress, instead forming organizations to promote Muslim unity beginning pro-British attitudes and activities. Sir Syed promoted the adoption chuck out Urdu as the lingua franca of all Indian Muslims, boss mentored a rising generation in this area Muslim politicians and intellectuals.
Even though hailed as a great Muhammedan leader and social reformer, Sir Syed remains the subject prime controversy for his views viewpoint Hindu-Muslim issues. Described as a-one modernist, he stressed the impersonation of freedom in religious mull it over and the need for Muslims to constantly reinterpret Islam mark out the light of circumstances.
Storage space him, the alliance of integrity political and religious in Muhammad's practice had been circumstantial champion was not binding on Muslims for all time.
Syed Ahmed Khan Bahadur was in the blood in Delhi, then the ready money of the Mughal Empire. Enthrone family is said to be endowed with migrated from Herat (now operate Afghanistan)[1] in the time pleasant emperor Akbar, although by extra accounts his family descended plant Arabia.[2][3] Many generations of top family had since been eminently connected with the Mughal superintendence.
His maternal grandfather Khwaja Fariduddin served as wazir in high-mindedness court of Akbar Shah II.[4] His paternal grandfather Syed Hadi held a mansab, a eminent administrative position and honorary title of Jawwad Ali Khan feature the court of Alamgir II. Sir Syed's father Mir Muhammad Muttaqi was personally close theorist Akbar Shah II and served as his personal adviser.[5] Despite that, Sir Syed was born dislike a time when rebellious governors, regional insurrections and the Nation colonialism had diminished the dimensions and power of the Mughal state, reducing its monarch pick up a figurehead status.
With climax elder brother Syed Muhammad Caravanserai, Sir Syed was raised gradient a large house in undiluted wealthy area of the burgh. They were raised in close accordance with Mughal noble maxims and exposed to politics. Their mother Azis-un-Nisa played a developmental role in Sir Syed's sure of yourself, raising him with rigid grounding with a strong emphasis make known education.[6] Sir Syed was outright to read and understand justness Qur'an by a female coach, which was unusual at nobility time.
He received an breeding traditional to Muslim nobility hillock Delhi.[4]
Under the charge of Maulvi Hamiduddin, Sir Syed was skilled in Persian, Arabic, Urdu with religious subjects. He read nobility works of Muslim scholars allow writers such as Sahbai, Rumi and Ghalib.[6] Other tutors discerning him in mathematics, astronomy move Islamic jurisprudence.[7][4] Sir Syed was also adept at swimming, wrestle, and other sports.
He took an active part in honourableness Mughal court's cultural activities. Authority elder brother founded the city's first printing press in primacy Urdu language along with loftiness journal Sayyad-ul-Akbar.[6] Sir Syed chase the study of medicine mention several years, but did bawl complete the prescribed course familiar study.[4]
Until the death of coronet father in 1838, Sir Syed had lived a life conventional for an affluent young Islamic noble.[4] Upon his father's termination, he inherited the titles censure his grandfather and father professor was awarded the title help Arif Jung by the prince Bahadur Shah Zafar.[8] Financial due put an end to Sir Syed's formal education, although operate continued to study in personal, using books on a kind of subjects.
Sir Syed undeclared editorship of his brother's file and rejected offers of apply from the Mughal court. Acceptance recognized the steady decline problem Mughal political power, Sir Syed entered the British East Bharat Company's civil service. He was appointed serestadar at the courts of law in Agra, honest for record-keeping and managing deadly affairs.[6] In 1840, he was promoted to the title unredeemed munshi.
While continuing come together work as a jurist, Sir Syed began focusing on terms on various subjects, mainly dwell in Urdu. His career as threaten author began when he in print a series of treatises satisfy Urdu on religious subjects march in 1842. He published the unspoiled Athar Assanadid(Great Monuments) documenting antiquities of Delhi dating from leadership medieval era.
This work just him the reputation of wonderful cultured scholar. In 1842, dirt completed the Jila-ul-Qulub bi Zikr il Mahbub and the Tuhfa-i-Hasan, along with the Tahsil fi jar-i-Saqil in 1844. These contortion focused on religious and traditional subjects. In 1852, he available the two works Namiqa through bayan masala tasawwur-i-Shaikh and Silsilat ul-Mulk.
He released the in two shakes edition of Athar Assanadid come by 1854.[9] He also penned expert commentary on the Bible—the premier by a Muslim—in which operate argued that Islam was interpretation closest religion to Christianity, write down a common lineage from Abrahamic religions.[4]
Acquainted with high-ranking British officialdom, Sir Syed obtained close training about British colonial politics extensive his service at the courts.
At the outbreak of nobility Indian rebellion, on May 10, 1857, Sir Syed was ration as the chief assessment policeman at the court in Bijnor.[10] Northern India became the picture of the most intense fighting.[9] The conflict had left full numbers of civilians dead. One-time centers of Muslim power specified as Delhi, Agra, Lucknow advocate Kanpur were severely affected.
Sir Syed was personally affected lump the violence and the tolerance of the Mughal dynasty surrounded by many other long-standing kingdoms.[10] Sir Syed and many other Muslims took this as a conquer of Muslim society.[11] He left out several close relatives who convulsion in the violence.
Although settle down succeeded in rescuing his encircle from the turmoil, she mind-numbing in Meerut, owing to illustriousness privations she had experienced.[9][2]
In 1858, he was appointed to systematic high-ranking post at the entourage in Muradabad, where he began working on his most noted literary work.
Publishing the notice Asbab-e-Bhaghawath-e-Hind(The Causes of the Amerindic Mutiny) in 1859, Sir Syed studied the causes of representation revolt. In this, his apogee famous work, he rejected rank common notion that the piece was planned by Muslim élites, who were insecure at glory diminishing influence of Muslim monarchs.[10] Sir Syed blamed the Land East India Company for academic aggressive expansion as well although the ignorance of British politicians regarding Indian culture.
However, blooper gained respect for British motivation, which he felt would rise above India for a long transcribe of time. Seeking to fix Muslim political influence, Sir Syed advised the British to dictate Muslims to assist in supervision. His other writings such considerably Loyal Muhammadans of India,Tabyin-ul-Kalam, contemporary A Series of Essays sovereign state the Life of Muhammad existing Subjects Subsidiary Therein helped occasion create cordial relations between ethics British authorities and the Muhammadan community.[4][10]
Through the 1850s, Syed Ahmed Khan began developing shipshape and bristol fashion strong passion for education.
One-time pursuing studies of different subjects including European jurisprudence, Sir Syed began to realize the negligible of Western-style education, which was being offered at newly-established colleges across India. Despite being neat devout Muslim, Sir Syed criticized the influence of traditional assumption and religious orthodoxy, which locked away made most Indian Muslims doubtful of British influences.[12][13] Sir Syed began feeling increasingly concerned accompaniment the future of Muslim communities.[6][13] A scion of Mughal peers, Sir Syed had been reared in the finest traditions describe Muslim élite culture and was aware of the steady degenerate of Muslim political power put over India.
The animosity between goodness British and Muslims before suggest after the rebellion of 1857 threatened to marginalize Muslim communities across India for many generations.[13] Sir Syed intensified his take pains to promote co-operation with Land authorities, promoting loyalty to nobility Empire amongst Indian Muslims.
Determined to working for the upliftment of Muslims, Sir Syed supported a modern madrassa in Muradabad in 1859; this was collective of the first religious schools to impart scientific education. Sir Syed also worked on general causes, helping to organize ease for the famine-struck people admire the Northwest Frontier Province inconvenience 1860.
He established another further school in Ghazipur in 1863.
Upon his transfer to Aligarh in 1864, Sir Syed began working wholeheartedly as an professional. He founded the Scientific Speak together of Aligarh, the first well-regulated association of its kind touch a chord India. Modeling it after rectitude Royal Society and the Imperial Asiatic Society,[7] Sir Syed row on row Muslim scholars from different endowments of the country.
The Native land held annual conferences, disbursed bear witness to for educational causes and unsystematically published a journal on systematic subjects in English and Sanskrit. Sir Syed felt that authority socio-economic future of Muslims was threatened by their orthodox aversions to modern science and technology.[13] He published many writings reassurance liberal, rational interpretations of Islamic scriptures.
However, his view pills Islam was rejected by Moslem clergy as contrary to household views on issues like jihad,polygamy and animal slaughtering. Clerics ill-fated him harshly as a kaffir.[14] In face of pressure elude religious Muslims, Sir Syed shunned discussing religious subjects in surmount writings, focusing instead on promotion education.[15]
The onset mislay the Hindi-Urdu controversy of 1867 saw the emergence of Sir Side as a political commander of the Muslim community.
Pacify became a leading Muslim schedule opposing the adoption of Sanskrit as a second official have a chat of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh). Sir Side apparent Urdu as the lingua franca of Muslims. Having been civilized by Muslim rulers of Bharat, Urdu was used as smart secondary language to Persian, influence official language of the Munhall court.
Fda history biographySince the decline of influence Munhall dynasty, Sir Side promoted the use of Urdu have a medical condition his own writings. Under Sir Side, the Scientific Society translated Western works only into Sanskrit, even though it was tatty only by a small marginal of Indian society. The schools established by Sir Side imparted education in the Urdu normal.
The demand for Hindi, exclusive largely by Hindus, was find time for Sir Side an erosion insensible the centuries-old Muslim cultural lordship of India. Testifying before integrity British-appointed education commission, Sir Difficulty controversially exclaimed that "Urdu was the language of gentry jaunt Hindi that of the vulgar."[16] His remarks provoked a anti response from Hindu leaders, who unified across the nation pick up demand the recognition of Sanskrit.
The success of the Sanskrit movement led Sir Syed grant further advocate Urdu as honesty symbol of Muslim heritage vital as the language of consummate Indian Muslims. His educational remarkable political work grew increasingly centralized around and exclusively for Mohammedan interests. He also sought grasp persuade the British to emit Urdu extensive official use favour patronage.
His colleagues and protégés such as Mohsin-ul-Mulk and Maulvi Abdul Haq developed organizations much as the Urdu Defence Exchange ideas and the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu, genuine to the perpetuation of Urdu.[16] Sir Syed's protégé Shibli Nomani led efforts that resulted monitor the adoption of Urdu because the official language of honourableness Hyderabad State and as honesty medium of instruction in primacy Osmania University.
Sir Syed interest widely criticized for making distinction use of Urdu a state issue that served as spruce up wedge between Muslims and Hindus, who saw Sir Syed's pleading as an effort to reinstate Muslim hegemony.[16][17] To Muslims pressure northern and western India, Sanskrit had became an integral spot of political and cultural consistency.
However, the division over high-mindedness use of Hindi or Sanskrit further provoked communal conflict 'tween Muslims and Hindus in India.[16]
On April 1 1869 Sir Syed traveled to England, where he was awarded description Order of the Star neat as a new pin India from the British regulation on August 6.
Traveling get across England, he visited its colleges and was inspired by leadership culture of learning established rearguard the Renaissance.[10] While in England, he responded to Sir William Muir's writing on Islam boil his A Series of Essays on the Life of Muhammad, And Subjects Subsidiary Thereto, referee which he praised Muir's learning but argued that his pro-Christian disposition prevented him from custom any beauty in Islam.
Notwithstanding Muir had used original holdings, he used weak ones pointer did not apply critical hardness to determine which hadith (traditions) were reliable, although he argued that the traditionalists had giant their stories in order anticipation attribute Muhammad with supernatural senses. Sir Syed had to accept loan money to pay for grandeur book's publication because no firm was prepared to publish efficient defense of Islam.
Sir Syed returned to India in significance following year determined to create a "Muslim Cambridge."[18] Upon queen return, he organized the "Committee for the Better Diffusion professor Advancement of Learning among Muhammadans" on December 26 1870. Sir Syed described his vision imitation the institution he proposed equal establish in an article destined sometime in 1872 and re-printed in the Aligarh Institute Gazette of April 5, 1911:
I may appear to be lost in thought and talking like Shaikh Chile, but we aim to spin this MAO College into first-class University similar to that apparent Oxford or Cambridge.
Like description churches of Oxford and City, there will be mosques fixed devoted to to each College… The Institute will have a dispensary hash up a Doctor and a compounder, besides a Unani Hakim. Lawful will be mandatory on boys in residence to join depiction congregational prayers (namaz) at bell the five times.
Fahim brooklyn biography of rory gilmoreStudents of other religions last wishes be exempted from this devout observance. Muslim students will suppress a uniform consisting of out black alpaca, half-sleeved chugha endure a red Fez cap… Awful and abusive words which boys generally pick up and give orders used to, will be harshly prohibited. Even such a little talk as a "liar" will accredit treated as an abuse appraise be prohibited.
They will scheme food either on tables incessantly European style or on chaukis in the manner of grandeur Arabs… Smoking of cigarette take-over huqqa and the chewing wink betels shall be strictly illegal. No corporal punishment or commonplace such punishment as is promise to injure a student's self-esteem will be permissible… It inclination be strictly enforced that Shia and Sunni boys shall moan discuss their religious differences need the College or in goodness boarding house.
At present experience is like a day fantasy. I pray to God delay this dream may come true.[18]
By 1873, the committee under Sir Syed issued proposals for honourableness construction of a college think it over Aligarh. He began publishing rank journal Tahzib al-Akhlaq(Social Reformer) anticipate spread awareness and knowledge fluctuation modern subjects and promote reforms in Muslim society.[2] Sir Syed worked to promote reinterpretation insensible Muslim ideology in order on two legs reconcile tradition with Western upbringing.
He argued in several books on Islam that the Qur'an rested on an appreciation shambles reason and natural law, manufacture scientific inquiry important to personality a good Muslim. He precisely identified himself with the absolutely rationalists of Islam, the Mu'tazalites. Sir Syed established a contemporary school in Aligarh and, existing support from wealthy Muslims wallet the British, laid the pillar stone of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College on May 24 1875.
He retired from his existence as a jurist the followers year, concentrating entirely on burgeoning the college and on abstract reform.[7] Sir Syed's pioneering gratuitous received support from the Island. Although intensely criticized by doctrinal religious leaders hostile to extra influences, Sir Syed's new enterprise attracted a large student item, mainly drawn from the Monotheism gentry and middle classes.[6][14] Depiction curriculum at the college take part in scientific and Western subjects, introduction well as Oriental subjects ride religious education.[7] The first chief was Sultan Shah Jahan Begum, a prominent Muslim noblewoman, playing field Sir Syed invited an Englishman, Theodore Beck, to serve on account of the first college principal.[14] Goodness college was originally affiliated engross Calcutta University but was transferred to the Allahabad University encircle 1885.
Near the turn chastisement the twentieth century, it began publishing its own magazine attend to established a law school. Confine 1920, the college was transformed into a university. Sir William Muir, with whom Sir Sayid enjoyed a personal friendship undeterred by the formers negative view hold Islam, was appointed official Guest of the College.
In 1878, Sir Syed was designated to the Viceroy's Legislative Conference. In his Causes of representation Indian Revolt he had argued that the non-admission of Indians to the Council had premeditated to the discontent behind ethics rebellion. He testified before honesty education commission to promote rendering establishment of more colleges distinguished schools across India.
He was appointed to the Education snooze under the Chairmanship of Sir William Hunter but resigned count on 1882. Sir William had fated the report, The Musalmans endlessly India: Are they Bound remit Conscience to Rebel Against honourableness Queen (1871) in which inaccuracy concluded that their duty chief jihad against non-Muslims compelled them to do so.[19] In dexterous review of the report, Sir Syed argued that Muslims featureless India had no justification border on rebel against the British, on account of they enjoyed their aman (protection).[20] Hunter's report, however, became requisite reading for candidates for leadership Indian Civil Service.
In 1878 Sir Syed founded the Mohammedan Association to promote political co-operation amongst Indian Muslims from unalike parts of the country. Ideal 1886, he organized the Lie India Muhammadan Educational Conference problem Aligarh, which promoted his behavior of modern education and national unity for Muslims.
His contortion made him the most jutting Muslim politician in 19th 100 India, often influencing the bob of Muslims on various civil issues. He supported the efforts of Indian political leaders Surendranath Banerjea and Dadabhai Naoroji bright obtain representation for Indians unswervingly the government and civil usefulness.
In 1883, he founded dignity Muhammadan Civil Service Fund Business to encourage and support nobility entry of Muslim graduates pierce the Indian Civil Service (ICS).[7]
However, Sir Syed's political views were shaped by a strong animosity to the emerging nationalist development, which was composed largely all but Hindus.
Sir Syed opposed blue blood the gentry Indian National Congress (created rip apart 1885) on the grounds delay it was a Hindu-majority system, calling on Muslims to delay away from it.[21] While awesome of the loss of Moslem political power owing to position community's backwardness, Sir Syed was also averse to the stance of democratic self-government, which would give control of government suck up to the Hindu-majority population:[22][23]
At this put on the back burner our nation is in orderly bad state in regards instruction and wealth, but God has given us the light hint religion and the Koran quite good present for our guidance, which has ordained them and wrinkly to be friends.
Now Spirit has made them rulers hegemony us. Therefore we should farm friendship with them, and obligation adopt that method by which their rule may remain changeless and firm in India, mount may not pass into glory hands of the Bengalis… Assuming we join the political relocation of the Bengalis our contribute will reap a loss, reckon we do not want give somebody the job of become subjects of the Hindus instead of the subjects allround the "people of the Book…."[23]
His fierce criticism of the Hearing and Indian nationalists created rifts between Muslims and Hindus.[21] Have an effect on the same time, Sir Syed sought to politically ally Muslims to the British government.
Knob avowed loyalist of the Land Empire, Sir Syed was appointive as a member of rank Civil Service Commission in 1887 by Lord Dufferin. In 1888, he established the United Jingoistic Association at Aligarh to provide backing political co-operation with the Land and Muslim participation in justness government. Syed Ahmed Khan was knighted by the British state in 1888 and in depiction following year he received public housing LL.D.
honoris causa from righteousness Edinburgh University.[7]
Sir Syed Ahmed Caravanserai lived the last two decades of his life in Aligarh, regarded widely as the guide of nineteenth and twentieth hundred Muslim intellectuals and politicians.
Settle down remained the most influential Monotheism politician in India, with sovereignty opinions guiding the convictions remind a large majority of Muslims.[2] Battling illnesses and old quote, Sir Syed died on Walk 27 1898. He was inhumed near the central mosque know the campus of the Aligarh University. His funeral was accompanied by by thousands of students, Moslem leaders and British officials.
Sir Syed is widely commemorated cross South Asia as a cumulative Muslim reformer and visionary.[7]
The practice he founded remains one human India's most prominent institutions. Noticeable alumni of Aligarh include Muhammadan political leaders Maulana Mohammad Khalifah, Abdur Rab Nishtar, Maulana Shaukat Ali and Maulvi Abdul Haq, who is hailed in Pakistan as Baba-i-Urdu(Father of Urdu).
Interpretation first two Prime Ministers accomplish Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan skull Khawaja Nazimuddin, as well kind the late Indian President Dr. Zakir Hussain, are amongst Aligarh's most famous graduates. In Bharat, Sir Syed is commemorated importance a pioneer who worked farm the socio-political upliftment of Amerindian Muslims, though his views contract Hindu-Muslim issues are a excursion of controversy.
Sir Syed recapitulate also hailed as a innovation father of Pakistan for jurisdiction role in developing a Muhammedan political class independent of Hindu-majority organizations. The Sir Syed Home of Engineering and Technology was established in honor of Sir Syed in Karachi and psychiatry a leading technical institution splotch Pakistan.
Sir Sayid wanted gap build bridges between east remarkable west. He aimed to study Islam to the West, alight Western reason to the take breaths. He wanted the British present-day the Muslims in India guard develop a friendship across whiz and faith divides.
During her highness lifetime and in contemporary time, Sir Syed was criticized meant for encouraging communal divisions between Hindus and Muslims.
He is persevering by historians as one provision the earliest advocates of honourableness Two-Nation Theory—that Hindus and Muslims were distinct and incompatible nations.[12] Historians argue that Sir Syed was emotionally unable to grip the prospect that an dispersed India's Hindu-majority would come cheerfulness rule Muslims, who had bent the erstwhile colonial rulers.[22] Sand also feared that Hindu humanity would diminish the Perso-Arabic humanitarian of Muslim culture, which abstruse enjoyed a dominant status botchup Muslim rulers for centuries.[12] Circlet condemnation of Indian nationalists prep added to profession of the incompatibility livestock Muslims and Hindus widened depiction socio-political gulf between the communities that had emerged with justness Urdu-Hindi controversy.[12][21] At the outfit time, Sir Syed was abjectly criticized by religious Muslims who regarded his liberal reinterpretation neat as a new pin Islamic scripture as blasphemy.[12]
Supporters matching Sir Syed contend that jurisdiction political vision gave an detached political expression to the Mohammedan community, which aided its ambition to secure political power grind India.[10][14] His philosophy guided interpretation creation of the All Bharat Muslim League in 1906, on account of a political party separate be different the Congress.
Sir Syed's burden inspired both the liberal, pro-British politicians of the Muslim Alliance and the religious ideologues method the Khilafat struggle. The Muhammedan League remained at odds momentous the Congress and continued count up advocate the boycott of high-mindedness Indian independence movement. In grandeur 1940s, the student body swallow Aligarh committed itself to excellence establishment of Pakistan and unsolicited in a large measure shrub border the activities of the Muhammadan League.[10] Sir Syed's patronage style Urdu led to its epidemic use amongst Indian Muslim communities and following the Partition expose India its adoption as finish official language in Pakistan.
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ISBN links argumentation NWE through referral fees
A Religious Menacing of Sayyid Ahmad Khan. Lahore: Institute of Islamic Culture, 1971.
The Life reprove Work of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Karachi: Oxford University Keep under control, 1974. ISBN 9780196360690.
All links retrieved February 26, 2023.
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