Services of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Ali garh Movement

Services of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

1.     Introduction

The Muslim community of subcontinent produced a great leader in the darkest hour of its life who not only improved the socio economic conditions of the Muslims but also develop them to fight for their rights through his educational and political services. The leader and reformer of late 19^th Century was named as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He struggled so hard to bring Muslims out of the darkness of illiteracy and hazardous policies of British government and protect the Muslims from prejudice behavior of Hindus towards Muslims and their evil intentions to tarnish Islamic culture. He was the first Indian Muslim to contribute to the intellectual and institutional foundation of Muslim modernization in Southern Asia.

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.

2.     Previous movements for Muslims’ rehabilitation and revival

a.       Religious movements of Shah Wali Ullah

b.      Mojahidim Movement of Syed Ahmad Shaheed

c.       Faraizi Movement of Haji Shariat Ullah

3.     War of independence and Condition of Muslims after war

a.       Deprived of all basic human rights and treated them as third class citizen

b.      Considered responsible of mutiny, revolt and war and declared them dishonest, disloyal, and rebel.

c.       Hindu got prosperity by praising British and got benefit of this opportunity of poor relation between the British and the Muslims

d.      All the economic, educational, social and political  opportunities were grasped from  Muslims

4.     What is Aligarh Movement?

a.       All those services which are rendered by Sir Syed for Muslims were centered on Aligarh, that’s why it is known as Aligarh Movement.

5.     Objectives of Aligarh Movement

a.       improving the Muslim British relationships  and empowerment of Muslims by removing the doubts of Rulers about the Ruled (especially the Muslims) and vice versa

b.      Imparting western education and learn English language to the Muslims in order to improve their livings

c.       Improve the political awareness of the Muslims and,

d.      Encounter the threats to the Muslims (attack on religion, Urdu language, Muslims rights and community etc.)

6.     Hurdles in the way of Sir Syed for fulfilling these objectives

a.       To counter Muslims orthodox and their backwardness

b.      To handle Hindu majority which was against the Muslims

c.       To persuade British in favor of Muslims

7.     Services of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

a.       Educational services of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

                                                              i.      Establishment of institutions

1.      In 1859 he established a Gulshan school in Muradabad where the Persian and English language was taught

2.      1863 another Victoria school was established in Ghazipur

3.      in 1870 he established an institute “Anjuman-e-Taraqi-e-Mualaman-e-Hind” for the purpose of development of Muslims.

4.      in 1874 “M.A.O High School” was established at Aligarh

5.      in 1877 this school upgraded to the status of “M.A.O College” by Lord Lytton. and after his death in 1920 this college became “Aligarh Muslim University”

                                                            ii.      Formation of translation society: in 1864 in Ghazipur, Scientific Society was formed in ---- for the purpose of translation of various scholars and languages books into Urdu so that Muslims could understand the modern knowledge. In 1866 this Scientific Society published a journal called “Aligarh Institute Gazette” which was both in Urdu and English language just to show the British government a good gesture and sentiment of goodwill for better relationship between Muslims and British Government.

                                                          iii.      Formation of Mohammad Educational Conference: The purpose of this institution was

1.      to persuade the Muslims philanthropist to open such institutions like Aligarh for Muslims,

2.      to motivate the Muslims to get knowledge and remove the dogmas about science and modernization

3.      to raise funding for Aligarh in order to run the affairs of the Aligarh Movement

                                                          iv.      Hiring of renowned Scholars in his institutions: Arnold, Bech, Raleigh, Arch bold, Morison and many other renowned scholars of Hindu and Muslims performing their services in various institutions of Aligarh

                                                            v.      Remove misconception from the minds of Muslims about modern education

b.      Religious Services of Syed Ahmad Khan

                                                              i.      To revive the Muslim culture, history and civilization (Asar-e-Sanadid)

                                                            ii.      To defend the Islam against the writings of non Muslims like William Mayor book “Life of Mohammad (S.A.W)” (Khutbat-e-Ahmadya)

                                                          iii.      Establish religious harmony  and tolerance among Hindu, Muslim and British (Tabyan-ul-Qalam)

                                                          iv.      Remove misconception from the minds of Muslims about modern education

c.       Economic Services of Syed Ahmad Khan

                                                              i.      Creation of business and job opportunities for Muslims  

                                                            ii.      Fixation of Qouta in ICS and other government jobs

d.      Social Services of Syed Ahmad Khan

                                                              i.      Removal of mis and false understanding of the British by writing

1.      loyal Mohammadan of India (1860)

2.      essay on the causes of Indian Revolt

                                                            ii.      Bridge the relationship between the Muslims and British by

1.      establishment of British Indian Association

2.      He wrote magazine “Ahkam-e-Ta’am-e-Ahle-Kitab” in which he discussed the Islamic principles of etiquette of drinking and dining. He also elaborated that it is allowed in Islam to have meal with Christians on the same table.   

3.      writing Tabayan –ul- Kalam in which he highlighted the similarities between Islam and Christianity so that British realized the Islamic priniicpls of harmony and peace too.

4.      Tehzib –ul-Akhlaq in which he criticized the conservative way of living and advised Indian Muslims to adopt modern trends and society.

                                                          iii.      Protection of Urdu Language

1.      he established “Anjuman-e-Taraki-e-Urdu”.

                                                          iv.      Highlighted the Quata System for the Muslims in government jobs

                                                            v.      Establishment of orphanage protection houses

e.       Political Services of Syed Ahmad Khan

                                                              i.      Improve the political relationship between British and the Muslims

1.      he wrote a magazine “Rasala-e-Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind. In which he explained the true causes behind the Indian Revolt or war of independence 1857. He clarified to the British that their mismanagement and wrong policies lead towards this Mutinay.

2.      In 1886 he formed British Indian Association at Aligarh ir order to express grievances of Indian-Muslims before British Government.

3.      he wrote “Loyal Muhammadans of India” a detailed article accounted for the services which were rendered by loyal Muslims to British Government. He highlighted the savoir of British Families by Muslims. 
ii.      Introduction of concept of separate electorate

                                                          iii.      Muslims must get rid from Politics

                                                          iv.      Defense of Muslim language

                                                            v.      Formation of various political platforms for Muslims representation

f.       Literary Services of Syed Ahmad Khan

                                                              i.      Writing of Multiple articles about awakening Muslims

                                                            ii.      Writing of Books on various topics

1.      Khutbat-e-Ahmidya

8.     Impacts of Sir Syed Ahmed’s Services

a.       Social impact:

                                                              i.      Tyranny against Muslims both from the British and Hindu was minimized due to interfaith harmony and tolerance among various religious in subcontinent.

                                                            ii.      Social status of Muslims was improved as they got business opportunities and jobs after getting modern education

                                                          iii.      Western style of living was imparted in Muslims and they  they became liberal and modern Muslims

                                                          iv.      Opening of various educational institutions enhanced the level of literacy among Muslims

b.      Religious impact

                                                              i.      As Sir Syed Believe that if Muslims get modern education and economically strong they would be able to defend their religion. So these services of Sir Syed led to Pakistan movement and named it as Independence of Islamic ideology in a separate homeland.

                                                            ii.      Beginning of writing on Islam, Life of Propher Mohammad (S.A.W.W), and other issues in Islam was started

c.       Literary Impact

                                                              i.      Collection of lot of books that help to understand the history and struggle of Muslims in subcontinent for the attainment of Pakistan.

                                                            ii.      Urdu language was protected as large number of vocabulary words added in it by translating other languages books.

d.      Political impact:  

                                                              i.      Because of formation of many plate form for Muslim representation, Muslims were able to do politics as demanded by British political system. Their voices were heard in parliament. Like rights of separate electorate which means Muslim were considered as a Nation before that they were considered as third class citizen.

                                                            ii.      Formation of Quota for Muslims in jobs and ICS requirement suitable for Muslims were acceptable. These demands enhance the confidence level of the Muslims which was shattered after War of Independence

e.       Economic Impact:

                                                              i.      Before Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, British and the Hindu were not given opportunities to the Muslims to do business or getting any job. But after that they became economically strong too.

f.       Educational Impact:

                                                              i.      Large No. of educational institutions were opened on the principle of Ali Garh like Islamia College Lahore, Sindh Muslim Madrassah Karachi, Islamia College Peshawar, Haleem College Kanpur

                                                            ii.      Muslims became educated and get jobs after qualifying competitive examination

                                                          iii.      Muslims became aware about their sociopolitical rights and defend them on various platforms 

                                                          iv.      The impression of Muslims as illiterate and backwardness was removing day by day

9.     Difference between services of Sir Syed and its predecessor

a.       Services of Sir Syed had multiple and long term impacts on history of Muslim struggle in subcontinent. Sir Syed did all that would be impossible for a single man to do. He did not only protect the Muslims from Hindu and British atrocities but also enable the Muslims to defend themselves and their religion too against these imperial and idol worshipers. Through his literary services he proved to the British that Muslims are not traditional, orthodox, and illiterate but have capacity to defend themselves on educational ground too. His religious services not only provide strong footings to the Muslims but also a source of collection of huge amount of Islamic literature. His services were beneficial for worldly affairs as well as spiritual too. 

b.      But on the other hand services of his predecessors like Shah Wali Ullah, Haji Shariat ullah, and Syed Ahmad Shaheed were totally focused on implementation of Islam in true sprite and in practical lives of the Muslims. The conditions and circumstances of these religious personnel were different then Sir Syed and what they did was the demand of that era. At the time of these religious personalities Islam have to protect from failed leadership of Muslims as well as imputies from Hindu influence and British hegemonic power’s dominance who declare their social and cultural values as superior then those of Indians. Similarly Muslims were at power politically as they were emperor and had strong army too, so they can fight with invaders and rebels. They don’t need to demand rights from other super power as Sir Syed did. During the era of Sir Syed Muslims were socially, morally, economically, and politically submissive and even slave and poor. So they were direct influence from the British and Hindu Majority. Both these communities had common rival and unfortunately that was Muslim. So, all and very kind of atrocities were directed toward Muslims. Disunited and poor Muslims were unable to defend themselves and even their religion. Few religious scholars and institutions and personalities no doubt were performing their duties very well but their impact on British mentality and Hindu hegemony was not as much as demanded.

c.       Similarly, the work of Sir Syed were in English, Urdu, and Persian for religion and for getting modern education which targeted to every strata of society even to the British, Hindu and Religious scholars.  But on the other hand his predecessor focused on Muslims and to answer those impurities which indulge in Islamic teachings and revival of power of Muslims and causes of loss of these powers. They believe that Muslims lost power due to deviation from basic principles of Islam like Jihad, practicing Islam, recitation of Quran, performing Faraiz. But Sir Syed claimed these along with these causes there are other cause too like lack of getting modern knowledge and due to this ignorance they could not forecast their future and threats for other powers which damage their government in subcontinent.   

d.      Lastly there was a crucial point of difference between these two movements in subcontinent is that the followers of them. It is noted that followers of Sir Syed ahmad Khan’s school of thought were more materialistic and they possess less spiritual and nationalistic attitude then those of Faraizi, Mujahidin and Shah’s followers. There is no doubt that sir syed produce more number of students who not only aware about modern language, culture and knowledge as well as modern political system but on the other hand they were little aware with religion. The product of this literacy is that people focusing on self interest instead of national collective benefits. So that was the reason behind lack of collective struggle of Muslims in whole sub continent till the emergence of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his strong political and religious arguments who unified the scattered Nation of Muslims but also awaken them for their rights of self determination.

e.       Because of these two different schools of thoughts in sub continent, Muslim community who think that to collaborate with British is required to avoid atrocities and for self rights, but on other hand second strata of society who consider that totally confrontation with British and Hindu will lead to success. So because of such differences Muslims as single unified force is not possible.  

f.       So in conclusion it is stated that both the reformist movement and Aligarh movement perform their level best for revival of Muslims and their struggle for independence. Both the movements did well according to their time, era, conditions and circumstances. The impact of their services are numerous and tremendous which lead toward the independence of Pakistan, a separate Muslim State in which they practice their Islamic principles without any hurdle or problem.

10.                        Analysis of services of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

a.       He interpreted Quran in the light of modern rationalism and science.

b.      Fortunately Sir Syed Ahmad Khan found the galaxy of intellectuals like Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk, Hali, Shibli, Maulvi Nazir Ahmad, Chiragh Ali, Mohammad Hayat, and Zakaullah who helped Sir Syed to fulfill his dream of Muslim revival. And these personalities not only work for Muslims struggle against imperialism but also became the source of lot of information about Indian history in Urdu. Above all, his gifted son Syed Mahmud, a renowned scholar, jurist and educationist, was a great source of help to him.

c.       His services has many positive and negative impacts on Muslim history. He may be cause of two nation theory, Pakistan movement and Muslim renaissance. But he also became the cause of division of Muslim society. i.e. liberal  vs orthodox Muslims

11.                        Conclusion

a.       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’’

b.      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.’’

c.       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.’’