Sayyid ahmad khan biography of michael jackson

Indian reformer and social heretical (–)

Not to be confused with Syed Ahmad Barelvi.

Sir Syed Ahmad KhanKCSI, FRAS (17 October – 27 March ), also spelled Sayyid Ahmad Khan, was an Indian Muslim reformer,^[1][2][3]philosopher, and educationist^[4] in nineteenth-century British India.^[5][6]

Though initially espousing Hindu–Muslim unity, he later became justness pioneer of Muslim nationalism in Bharat and is widely credited as leadership father of the two-nation theory, which formed the basis of the Pakistan movement.^{[1][7][8][9][10][11]} Born into a family submit strong ties to the Mughal dull, Ahmad studied science and the Quran within the court. He was awarded an honorary LLD from the Establishing of Edinburgh in ^[12][9][6]

In , Syed Ahmad entered the service of Orient India Company and went on suck up to become a judge at a Depleted Causes Court in , retiring shun this position in During the Asiatic Mutiny of , he remained faithful to the British Raj and was noted for his actions in restraint European lives.^[1][2] After the rebellion, operate penned the booklet The Causes carp the Indian Mutiny – a intrepidity critique, at the time, of several British policies that he blamed staging causing the revolt. Believing that say publicly future of Muslims was threatened fail to notice the rigidity of their orthodox view, Sir Ahmad began promoting Western–stylescientific tending by founding modern schools and experiences and organizing Islamic entrepreneurs.^[13] Victoria Institute at Ghazipur in , and splendid scientific society for Muslims in ^[14] In , founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, the first Muslim university reaction Southern Asia.^[15] During his career, Syed repeatedly called upon Muslims to loyally serve the British Raj and promoted the adoption of Urdu as greatness lingua franca of all Indian Muslims. Syed criticized the Indian National Congress.^[1]

Sir Syed maintains a strong legacy bring off Pakistan and among Indian Muslims. Significant became a source of inspiration tabloid the Pakistan Movement and its activists, including Allama Iqbal and Muhammad Caliph Jinnah. His advocacy of Islam's positivist tradition, and a broader, radical revamping of the Quran to make soupзon compatible with science and modernity, continues to influence the global Islamic reformation.^[16] Many universities and public buildings cede Pakistan bear Sir Syed's name.^[17]Aligarh Moslem University celebrated Sir Syed's th line centenary with much enthusiasm on 17 October ^[18][19]

Early life

Do not show decency face of Islam to others; alternatively show your face as the girlfriend of true Islam representing character, road, tolerance and piety.

—&#;Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

Syed Ahmad Taqvi 'Khan Bahadur' was local on 17 October to Syed Muhammad Muttaqi^[20] and Aziz-un-Nisa^[21] in Delhi, which was the capital of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Mughal EmperorAkbar II. Many generations of king family had been highly connected occur the Mughal administration. His maternal old stager Khwaja Fariduddin served as Wazir diffuse the court of EmperorAkbar Shah II.^[22] His paternal grandfather Syed Hadi Jawwad bin Imaduddin held a mansab (lit. General) – a high-ranking administrative arrangement - and the honorary name noise "Mir Jawwad Ali Khan" in glory court of EmperorAlamgir II. Sir Syed's father, Syed Muhammad Muttaqi, was in the flesh close to EmperorAkbar Shah II additional served as his personal adviser.^[23] Nonetheless, Syed Ahmad was born at first-class time when his father was evaporate in regional insurrections aided and moneyed by the East India Company, which had replaced the power traditionally restricted by the Mughal state, reducing cast down monarch to a figurehead.

Syed Ahmad was the youngest of three siblings. With his elder brother Syed Muhammad bin Muttaqi Khan and elder pamper Safiyatun Nisa,^[24] Sir Syed was raise in the house of his careful grandfather in a wealthy area compensation the city.^[25] They were raised sentence strict accordance with Mughal noble jus naturale \'natural law\' and they were exposed to political science. Their mother Aziz-un-Nisa played a plastic role in Sir Syed's early woman, raising him with rigid discipline tube a strong emphasis on modern education.^[26]

Education

Sir Syed's education was initiated by Regal Ghulam Ali, his father's spiritual coach in ^[27] He was taught conform read and understand the Qur'an exceed a female tutor Areeba Sehar.^[28] Unquestionable received an education traditional to Islamist nobility in Delhi. He attended exceptional maktab run by a learned intellectual, Moulvi Hamiduddin, in a house on your doorstep to his ancestral home and begun learning Persian and Arabic.^[29] He ferment the works of Muslim scholars deliver writers such as Sahbai, Zauq innermost Ghalib.^[30] Other tutors instructed him speck mathematics, astronomy and algebra. He further pursued the study of medicine cart several years under Hakim Ghulam Haider Khan.^[29] Sir Syed was also accomplished at swimming, shooting and other sports.^[31] He took an active part break off the Mughal court's cultural activities highest attended parties, festivals and recitations.^[32]

Syed Ahmad's elder brother launched a weekly, “Syedul Akhbar”, from Delhi, which was unified of the earliest Urdu newspapers make a claim northern India.^[33] Until the death warning sign his father in , Sir Syed had lived a life customary affection an affluent young Muslim noble. Gaze at his father's death, he inherited integrity titles of his grandfather and pop and was awarded the title provision Arif Jung by the emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.^[34] Financial difficulties put break end to Sir Syed's formal instruction, although he continued to study false private, using books on a category of subjects.^[32]

Career

Having recognized the steady degenerate in Mughal political power, Sir Syed decided to enter the service be successful the East India Company. He could not enter the colonial civil spasm because it was only in probity s that Indians were admitted. Rule first appointment was as a Serestadar (lit. Clerk) of the Criminal Turnoff in the Sadr Amin's office have as a feature Delhi, responsible for record-keeping and directorship court affairs.^[34][35] In February , put your feet up was transferred to Agra and promoted to the title of Naib Munshi or deputy reader in the entreaty of the Commissioner.^[36] In he was appointed as the Munsif or Sub-Judge of Fatehpur Sikri and later transferred to Delhi in ^[36] He remained in Delhi until except for team a few short-term postings to Rohtak as preside Sadr Amin in and ^[37] Arbitrate he was promoted to the publicize of Sadr Amin in Bijnor.^[38]

Acquainted tighten high-ranking British officials, Sir Syed plagiaristic close knowledge about British colonial statecraft during his service at the courts. At the outbreak of the Amerindic rebellion, on 10 May , Sir Syed was serving as the hefty assessment officer at the court scope Bijnor.^[38] He stood by the Land officers of Bijnor and saved ethics lives of many officers and their family members from the revolting soldiers.^[38] The conflict had left large in abundance of civilians dead. Erstwhile centres reinforce Muslim power such as Delhi, Metropolis, Lucknow and Kanpur were severely fixed. He lost several close relatives who died in the violence. Although why not? succeeded in rescuing his mother outlander the turmoil, she died in Meerut, owing to the privations she confidential experienced.^[39]

In , he was appointed by reason of Sadarus Sudoor, a high-ranking post strike the court in Muradabad, where blooper began working on his most popular literary work, The Cause of depiction Indian Revolt.^[40] In , he was transferred to Ghazipur, and later unexpected Aligarh in In he was dead heat to Banaras and elevated to picture position of a Sub-Judge of In short supply Causes.^[40]

In April , he accompanied wreath two sons Syed Hamid and Syed Mahmood to England, the latter challenging obtained a scholarship to study down England.^[41]

Sir Syed retired from government boasting in and settled in Aligarh.^[42] Monitor , he was nominated as conclusion additional member of the Imperial Deliberative Council, which he served from July to July He also served straight second term that lasted until ^[43] He served the Legislative Council help the Lieutenant Governor of the North- Western Provinces for two terms hit upon until ^[44]

Influences

Sir Syed's early influences were his mother Aziz-un-Nisa and maternal grandparent Khwaja Fariduddin both of whom took special interest in his education.^[45] Impulsive from serving as a Wazir mop the floor with the Mughal court, Khwaja Fariduddin was also a teacher, mathematician and astronomer.^[25] He was also disposed towards Mysticism, which left its impact on Sir Syed since his early childhood.^[46] Top maternal uncle Khwaja Zainuddin Ahmad, who was an expert in music suggest mathematics, also influenced him in diadem early days.^[47]

Sir Syed's early theological propaganda demonstrate the influence of three institute of religious thought on his prospect - the Naqshbandi tradition of Pre-eminent Ghulam Ali Dahlavi, Shah Waliullah Dehlawi and his teachings, and the Mujahideen movement of Syed Ahmad Barelvi highest his earliest disciple Shah Ismail Dehlvi.^[46][48] While Sir Syed shared the angry for religious forms in India farm the Mujahidin movement, he was conflicting to the Indian Wahhabi movement.^[49]

During monarch formative years in Delhi he came in contact with Ghalib and Zauq whose exquisite style of prose vital poetry influenced Sir Syed's style take possession of writing.^[50] He would often visit Revivalist Baksh Sahbai and Sadruddin Khan Azurda Dehlawi in his learning years.^[51] In relation to influence on him was his educator and friend in Agra, Nur guide Hasan of Kandhala, a teacher remodel Arabic at Agra College in class early s who encouraged and apochromatic his early works.^[52][53]

He was also false by the works of the Port reformer Hayreddin Pasha and adopted reward approach of utilising freedom of signal for bringing reforms in the Muhammedan community.^[54]

The western writers who most simulated his political thoughts were the Utilitarians such as John Stuart Mill, whose works he often quoted in fillet own writings.^[55] He was also gripped by the essays of Joseph Addison and Richard Steele and modelled realm own journals after their Tatler distinguished Spectator.^[55]

Literary works

While continuing to work by the same token a junior clerk, Sir Syed began focusing on writing, from the magnify of 23 (in ), on distinct subjects (from mechanics to educational issues), mainly in Urdu, where he wrote, at least, pages. He also wrote a well known book on anthropology called Athar-ul-Sandeed. He also developed troubled in literature as he met ingenious few of India's well known writers.^[56][57]

Religious works

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's career type an author began when he available a series of treatises in Sanskrit on religious subjects in In emperor early religious writings his religious despise were more orthodox; over time, liven up his increasing contact with the Westward, his views gradually became more independent.^[58] His early works show the potency of Sufism and his upbringing speak Delhi.^[59] The main themes of these works are popularization of the corpus juris of the Islamic prophet Muhammad kind the one true path and honourableness desire to reform the lives dead weight Indian Muslims from religious innovations, so endeavoring for the purity of Islamic belief in India.^[60][59]

His later religious literature, such as his commentary on influence Torah and Gospel and his essays on Muhammad, were stimulated in reaction to Christian missionary activities in Bharat and the aggressive view of Nation historians towards Islam.^[54]

Early treatises

His first pamphlet published in was a biographical burlesque of Muhammad, called Jila al-Qulub bi Zikr al-Mahbub (Delight of the Whist in Remembering the Beloved),^[61] in ticket with the reformist ideas of Pre-eminent Waliullah.^[62] It was prose for precept on Mawlid written in idiomatic Urdu.^[63] He published his second treatise Tuhfa-i Hasan (The Gift to Hasan) imprison on the encouragement of his observer Nur al Hasan.^[52] It is young adult Urdu translation of the tenth spreadsheet twelfth chapter of Shah Abdul Aziz Dehlavi's Tuhfah-i Ithna Ashariyya (A disquisition on the 12 Imams), which was a critique of Shia beliefs.^[62][64] Illustriousness tenth chapter deals and answers magnanimity Shia accusations against the Sahabi favour Hazrat Aisha and the twelfth deals with the Shia doctrines of tawalli and tabarri.^[65]

His third treatise, entitled Kalimat al-Haqq (The True Discourse), was obtainable in ^[64] It is a criticism of the prevalent Sufi practices crush pir–murid relationships.^[66] The first part take in the work is devoted to primacy concept of piri. In this most of it, he argues that Muhammad is character only valid pir. The work's alternative part is focused on muridi countryside the notion of bay'ah.^[67] He calls for reforms in the pir-murid smugness and the associated practises.^[68]Rah i Trinkets dar radd i Bid'a (The Helios and the Rejection of Innovations), realm fourth treatise, was published in ^[69] In this work, he expressed monarch opposition to certain religious practices increase in intensity beliefs of his fellow Muslims, which he felt were mixed with unfamiliarity and deviated from the true Sunnah.^[70] In he published Namiqa dar bayan masala tasawwur-i-Shaikh (A Letter Explaining birth Teaching of tasawwur i shaikh), multiply by two which he defended tasawwur-i-Shaikh, the Mysticism practice of visualizing within, the aspect of one's spiritual guide.^[66][71] In closure translated some passages of al-Ghazali's Kimiya al Sa'ada (The Alchemy of Happiness).^[69]

Commentary of the Torah and Gospel

In behaviour stationed at Ghazipur, Sir Syed in motion working on a commentary on loftiness Bible and its teaching, with ethics aim to explain them in footing of Islam.^[72] It was published beckon Urdu and English in three accomplishments from to under the title Tabin al-al-kalam Fi tafsir altawrat Wa ‘I-injil’ala millat al Islam (Elucidation of position World in Commentary of the Pentateuch and Gospel According to the 1 of Islam).^[73][74] While the first end up deals with the Islamic approach on the way to biblical writings, the second and ordinal part contains commentary on the Unspoiled of Genesis and the Gospel jump at Matthew respectively.^[75]

Essays on the Life classic Muhammad

In he wrote Al-Khutbat al-Ahmadiya fi'l Arab wa'I Sirat al-Muhammadiya (A Rooms of Essays on the Life training Prophet Muhammad and Subjects Subsidiary Therein) as a rejoinder to William Muir's widely known four-part book, The Sure of Mahomet published in ^[76] Dirt was deeply distressed by Muir's personation of Islam and the character forfeited Muhammad. He was concerned that interpretation book might create doubts among depiction younger generation of Muslims.^[77] In fear to prepare for the book, proceed accompanied his son to England, little he wanted to get a first-hand impression of Western civilisation.^[78]

He was likewise a reader of Darwin and, spell not agreeing with all of sovereign ideas, he could be described by reason of a sort of theistic evolutionist materialize his contemporary Asa Gray. Syed Ahmad was one of the first all the rage the Islamic world to adopt that view. His arguments in favour forged the idea were based on both findings from his own scientific analysis and quotes from earlier Islamic scholars like Al-Jahiz, Ibn Khaldun and Regal Waliullah.^[79]

Tafsir-ul-Quran

Sir Syed started working on shipshape and bristol fashion tafsir, or commentary on the Quran, in It was published as Tafsir ul-Quran in seven volumes; the primary volume appeared in and the ransack volume was published six years care his death in ^[80] In that work, he analysed and interpreted 16 paras and 13 surahs of righteousness Quran.^[80] In the first volume, stylishness also included a detailed article noble Tahrir fi Usool al-Tafsir (The Make a recording on the Principles of Commentary), wellheeled which he laid down 15 guideline on which he based his commentary.^[81]

Historical works

History was Sir Syed's preferred protected area of study and in , Sir Syed compiled a book of succeeding tables about the Timurid rulers understanding Delhi from Timur to Bahadur Empress Zafar at the behest of Parliamentarian N. C. Hamilton, his patron. Niggardly was later published under the name Jam-i-Jum (Jamshed's Cup).^[82] In Silsilat-ul-Mulk illegal compiled the biographical data of flurry the rulers of Delhi in history.^[83] During his stay in Bijnor, crystal-clear wrote a history on the penetrate of Bijnor, but it was ravaged during the rebellion.^[84] He also wrote critical editions of books like Ziauddin Barani's Tarikh-e-Firoz Shahi published in ,^[85] and Tuzk-e-Jahangiri published in ^[86] But, his most important historical works renounce brought him fame as a authority were the two editions of Asar-us-Sanadid and that of the Ain-e-Akbari.^[87]

Asar-us-Sanadid

In , he published the book Asar-us-Sanadid (The Remnants of Ancient Heroes) documenting antiquities of Delhi dating from the antique era.^[88] The work is divided sting four sections: the first describes honourableness buildings outside the city of Delhi; the second describes the buildings destroy the Delhi Fort; the third describes the monuments in Shahjahanabad; and dignity last section presents a brief recorded account of the various settlements cancel out Delhi^[88] as well as the remarkable inhabitants of Delhi, including Sufis (such as Shah Ghulam Ali and Saiyid Ahmad Shahid), physicians, scholars, poets, calligraphers, and musicians.^[89] It also contained move around illustrations drawn by Faiz Ali Caravansary and Mirza Shahrukh Beg, which were the first lithographically produced book illustrations in India.^[90] Syed Ahmad released righteousness second edition of Ansar-as-Sanadid in ^[91] However, the second edition was intrinsically different from the first – excellence second was abbreviated and more factual.^[92] This work brought Sir Syed spick wider fame and earned him description reputation of a cultured scholar.^[93] Bayou , it was translated into Country by Gracin de Tassy in Paris.^[88] The book was also presented get in touch with the Royal Asiatic Society of Picture perfect Britain and Ireland in London, which made him an honorary fellow.^[86]

Ain-e-Akbari

In , he finished his scholarly, and vivid edition of Abul Fazl's A'in-e Akbari. The first and the third notebook of the work were both in print in The second volume, sent fulfil the publisher in , was devastated in the rebellion that took lift that year.^[94] Having finished the drain to his satisfaction, and believing go off at a tangent Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib was trim person who would appreciate his labours, Syed Ahmad approached the great Ghalib to write a taqriz (in blue blood the gentry convention of the times, a donated foreword) for it. Ghalib obliged, nevertheless what he did produce was spick short Persian poem castigating the A'in-e Akbari, and by implication, the princelike, sumptuous, literate and learned Mughal flamboyance of which it was a produce. The least that could be uttered against it was that the unspoiled had little value even as proposal antique document. Ghalib practically reprimanded Syed Ahmad Khan for wasting his proficiency and time on dead things. Inferior, he praised sky-high the "sahibs loosen England" who at that time taken aloof all the keys to all probity a’ins in this world.^[95]

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan never again wrote a dialogue in praise of the A'in-e Akbari and in fact gave up delegation an active interest in history person in charge archaeology. He did edit another bend in half historical texts over the next embargo years, but neither of them was anything like the A'in: a wide and triumphalist document on the polity of Akbar.^[96]

Political works

During the uprising gaze at , Sir Syed was posted in that a chief assessment officer at character court in Bijnor.^[97] He recorded description history of the mutiny in Tarikh i Sarkashi-ye Bijnor (History of position Bijnor Rebellion), which was published add on ^[98] He was deeply worried stress the consequences of the mutiny care his fellow Muslims in particular.^[97] Noteworthy wrote a number of articles advocate pamphlets such as Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind (The Causes of the Indian Revolt), Loyal Muhammadans of India, and Review on Dr Hunter's Indian Musalmans: Are They Died out in Conscience to Rebel Against depiction Queen? to defend Muslims and Mohammedanism and create a cordial relations 'tween the British authorities and the Islamist community.^[99]

Causes of the Indian Revolt

Sir Syed supported the East India Company before the uprising, a role which has been criticised by some nationalists specified as Jamaluddin Afghani. In Sir Syed published the booklet Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind (The Causes of the Indian Revolt) in Sanskrit in which he studied the causes of the Indian revolt. In that, his most famous work, he unacceptable the common notion that the story line was planned by Muslim elites, who resented the diminishing influence of Mohammedan monarchs. He blamed the East Bharat Company for its aggressive expansion chimp well as the ignorance of Brits politicians regarding Indian culture. Sir Syed advised the British to appoint Muslims to assist in administration, to deter what he called ‘haramzadgi’ (a earth-shattering deed) such as the mutiny.^[]

Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali wrote in justness biography of Sir Syed that:

"As soon as Sir Syed reached Muradabad, he began to write the monograph entitled The Causes of the Amerindic Revolt (Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind), in which he sincere his best to clear the group of India, and especially the Muslims, of the charge of Mutiny. Acquire spite of the obvious danger, loosen up made a courageous and thorough reverberation of the accusations people were assembly against the Government and refused conception which the British had invented make out explain the causes of the Mutiny."^[]

When the work was finished, without suspend for an English translation, Sir Syed sent the Urdu version to substance printed at the Mufassilat Gazette Hold sway over in Agra. Within a few weeks, he received copies back from justness printers. One of his friends warned him not to send the booklet to the British Parliament or expire the Government of India. Rae Shankar Das, a great friend of Sir Syed, begged him to burn loftiness books rather than put his lifetime in danger.^[98] Sir Syed replied ramble he was bringing these matters differ the attention of the British dispense the good of his own construct, of his country, and of probity government itself. He said that provided he came to any harm longstanding doing something that would greatly good the rulers and the subjects near India alike, he would gladly exercise whatever befell him. When Rae Shankar Das saw that Sir Syed's accept was made up and nothing could be done to change it, sand wept and remained silent. After enforcement a supplementary prayer and asking God's blessing, Sir Syed sent almost drifter the copies of his pamphlet obviate England, one to the government, final kept the rest himself.

When picture government of India had the complete translated and presented before the convention, Lord Canning, the governor-general, and Sir Bartle Frere accepted it as cool sincere and friendly report. The tramontane secretary Cecil Beadon, however, severely specious it, calling it 'an extremely rabble-rousing pamphlet'. He wanted a proper investigation into the matter and said prowl the author, unless he could allot a satisfactory explanation, should be with an iron hand dealt with. Since no other fellow of the Council agreed with rulership opinion, his attack did no harm.^[]

Later, Sir Syed was invited to waitress Lord Canning's durbar in Farrukhabad accept happened to meet the foreign gossip columnist there. He told Sir Syed go wool-gathering he was displeased with the circular and added that if he challenging really had the government's interests watch over heart, he would not have indebted his opinion known in this go up throughout the country; he would possess communicated it directly to the create. Sir Syed replied that he locked away only had copies printed, the maturity of which he had sent prank England, one had been given join the government of India, and nobility remaining copies were still in government possession. Furthermore, he had the receiving to prove it. He was go up in price, he added, that the view pointer the rulers had been distorted infant the stress and anxieties of nobleness times, which made it difficult cause somebody to put even the most straightforward disturb in its right perspective. It was for this reason that he esoteric not communicated his thoughts publicly. Significant promised that for every copy wind could be found circulating in Bharat he would personally pay 1, rupees. At first, Beadon was not sure and asked Sir Syed over extract over again if he was attest that no other copy had anachronistic distributed in India. Sir Syed reassured him on this matter, and Beadon never mentioned it again. Later recognized became one of Sir Syed's foremost supporters.

Many official translations were finished of the Urdu text of The Causes of the Indian Revolt. Illustriousness one undertaken by the India Business formed the subject of many discussions and debates.^[] The pamphlet was further translated by the government of Bharat and several members of parliament, however no version was offered to decency public. A translation which had anachronistic started by Auckland Colvin, a governance official was finished by Sir Syed's friend, Colonel G.F.I. Graham, and lastly published in ^[][]

Loyal Muhammadans of India

In , Sir Syed wrote a progression of bilingual pamphlets called the Risala Khair Khwahan-e Musalmanan-e-Hind (An Account liberation the Loyal Mohammedans of India) foreigner Meerut containing episodes in the beast of those Muslims who stood contempt the British during the uprising.^[98] Undertake was published in three issues, justness first and second issues appeared sidewalk , while the third was publicised in ^[] The first issue highlighted the bravery of those Muslims who stood by the British while rectitude second issue carried an article rank jihad in which he makes spiffy tidy up clear distinction between jihad and rebellion.^[]

Review on Hunter's Indian Musalmans

In August William Wilson Hunter, a Scottish historian pointer member of the Indian Civil Usefulness published Indian Musalmans: Are They Obliged in Conscience to Rebel Against significance Queen? in which he discussed ethics Indian Wahabi movement, its role name the rebellion^[] and argued that picture Muslims were a threat to integrity Empire.^[] Hunter links Wahhabism with mutiny and terms them as self-stylised jihadis.^[] His accusations led to the continuance of Muslims in India especially remit the North Western Provinces and those associated with Wahhabism were severely punished.^[] Many Muslims found his arguments partial and this prompted Sir Syed nip in the bud write a rejoinder of the book.^[] He reviewed the book in The Pioneer in a series of length of time which were reprinted in Aligarh Guild Gazette from 24 November , unexpected 23 February ^[98] They were closest collected and published in a precise in England by Hafiz Ahmad Hasan, the Vakil of Tonk.^[] Sir Syed based his arguments upon Muhammad's disarray conduct during holy wars.^[]

Muslim reformer

See also: Aligarh Movement

Through the s, Syed Ahmad Khan began developing a strong enthusiasm for education. While pursuing studies weekend away different subjects including European jurisprudence, Sir Syed began to realise the returns of Western-style education, which was essence offered at newly established colleges over India. Despite being a devout Muhammadan, Sir Syed criticised the influence forged traditional dogma and religious orthodoxy, which had made most Indian Muslims suspected of British influences.^[] Sir Syed began feeling increasingly concerned for the tomorrow's of Muslim communities.^[] A scion leverage Mughal nobility, Sir Syed had back number reared in the finest traditions show Muslim elite culture and was intelligent of the steady decline of Muhammadan political power across India. The battle between the British and Muslims previously and after the Indian Rebellion bring into the light threatened to marginalise Muslim communities girdle India for many generations.^[]

Scientific Society

Sir Syed intensified his work to promote co-operation with British authorities, promoting loyalty disperse the Empire amongst Indian Muslims. Dedicated to working for the upliftment have a high regard for Muslims, Sir Syed founded a virgin madrassa in Muradabad in ; that was one of the first pious schools to impart scientific education. Sir Syed also worked on social causes, helping to organise relief for rendering famine-struck people of North-West Province clear ^[40] While posted in Ghazipur think about it , he established a madrasa which later became the Victoria High school.^[] He also formed the Scientific Brotherhood in Ghazipur to promote educational reforms across the country.^[40] He wrote threaten insightful tract on education titled Iltimas Ba Khidmat-e-Sakinan-e-Hind Dar Bab-e- Taraqqi Taleem in Ahl-e-Hind (Address to the inhabitants of Hindoostan on education).^[]

Upon his dedicate to Aligarh in , Sir Syed began working wholeheartedly as an governor. The Scientific Society was transferred differ Ghazipur to Aligarh and rechristened owing to the Scientific Society of Aligarh.^[] Modeling it after the Royal Society highest the Royal Asiatic Society,^[] Sir Syed assembled Muslim scholars from different gifts of the country. The Society kept annual conferences, disbursed funds for instructive causes and regularly published a account on scientific subjects in English duct Urdu. Sir Syed felt that influence socio-economic future of Muslims was imperilled by their orthodox aversions to original science and technology.^[] He published distinct writings promoting liberal, rational interpretations lacking Islamic scriptures, struggling to find vain interpretations for jinn, angels, and miracles of the prophets.^[] One example was the reaction to his argument – which appeared in his tafsir (exegesis) of the Quran – that riba referred to interest charges when disposition money to the poor, but distant to the rich, nor to borrowers "in trade or in industry", in that this finance supported "trade, national advantage and prosperity". While many jurists announced all interest to be riba, (according to Sir Syed) this was home-produced "on their own authority and deduction" rather than the Quran.^[]

Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College

On 1 April he went, along unwavering his sons Syed Mahmood and Syed Hamed, to England, where he was awarded the Order of the Understanding of India from the British control on 6 August.^[] Travelling across England, he visited its colleges and was inspired by the culture of alertness established after the Renaissance. Sir Syed returned to India in the followers year determined to build a college modelled on Cambridge and Oxford conveyance modern education to Indians.^[] Upon ruler return, he established the Khwastgaran-i-Taraqqi-i-Talim-i-Musalman (Committee for the Better Diffusion and Progression of Learning among Muhammadans) on 26 December By , it was convince into a Fund Committee for prestige establishment of a school.^[] Sir Syed described his vision of the academy he proposed to establish in par article written sometime in and re-printed in the Aligarh Institute Gazette use up 5 April

I may appear get on the right side of be dreaming and talking like Shaikh Chilli, but we aim to good deed this MAO College into a Rule similar to that of Oxford correspond to Cambridge. Like the churches of City and Cambridge, there will be mosques attached to each College The School will have a dispensary with marvellous Doctor and a compounder, besides dinky UnaniHakim. It will be mandatory mold boys in residence to join class congregational prayers (namaz) at all picture five times. Students of other religions will be exempted from this devout observance. Muslim students will have cool uniform consisting of a black llama, half-sleeved chugha and a red Fez cap Bad and abusive words which boys generally pick up and conception used to, will be strictly tabu. Even such a word as fastidious "liar" will be treated as implication abuse to be prohibited. They longing have food either on tables decompose European style or on chaukis detect the manner of the Arabs Vapour of cigarette or huqqa and primacy chewing of betels shall be sternly prohibited. No corporal punishment or inferior such punishment as is likely have knowledge of injure a student's self-respect will live permissible It will be strictly essential that Shia and Sunni boys shall not discuss their religious differences look the College or in the lodging house. At present it is prize a day dream. I pray there God that this dream may realization true."^{[citation needed]}

He began publishing the newspaper Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq (Social Reformer) on 24 Dec to spread awareness and knowledge component modern subjects and promote reforms put in Muslim society.^[] Sir Syed worked touch upon promote reinterpretation of Muslim ideology unimportant person order to reconcile tradition with Story education. He argued in several books on Islam that the Qur'an unmoved on an appreciation of reason current natural law, making scientific inquiry chief to being a good Muslim.

By , the committee under Sir Syed issued proposals for the construction hold a college in Aligarh. Maulvi Samiullah Khan was appointed as the etch of the sub-committee of the supposititious school.^[] Members of the committee toured the country in order to get the hang of funds for the school, which was finally established on 24 May have round Aligarh as the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College School. Two years later, in , the school was converted into honourableness Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College.^[] He retired cause the collapse of his career as a jurist excellence following year, concentrating entirely on underdeveloped the college and on religious reform.^[] Sir Syed's pioneering work received bolster from the British.^[] Although intensely criticised by orthodox religious leaders hostile tot up modern influences, Sir Syed's new foundation attracted a large student body, in the main drawn from the Muslim gentry settle down middle classes.^{[][self-published source?]} However, MAO Academy was open to all communities, boss had a sizeable number of Faith students. The first graduate of class college was a Hindu.^[] The program of study at the college involved scientific plus Western subjects, as well as Acclimatize subjects and religious education.^[] The crowning chancellor was Sultan Shah Jahan Begum, a prominent Muslim noblewoman, and Sir Syed invited an Englishman, Theodore Course, to serve as the first school principal.^[] The college was originally associated with Calcutta University but was transferred to the Allahabad University in In effect the turn of the 20th hundred, it began publishing its own organ and established a law school. Shaggy dog story , the college was transformed turn into Aligarh Muslim University.^[]

Muhammadan Educational Conference

After institution the Anglo-Oriental College, Sir Syed change the need of a pan-India disposal to propagate the ideas of emperor movement. To this cause, he entrenched the All India Muhammadan Educational Copulation with its headquarters in Aligarh. Greatness first session of the Congress was held at Aligarh in under say publicly presidency of Maulvi Samiullah Khan.^[] Illustriousness main objective of the organisation was to promote educational development among Muslims through conferences throughout India and modify the Anglo-Oriental College to the distinction of university.^[] The name of birth organisation was changed to All Bharat Muhammadan Educational Conference to avoid sightlessness with the Indian National Congress.^[]

Opposition champion criticism

Sir Syed's Aligarh Movement and wreath desire to open institutions for Fairy tale education was opposed by the official Indian Muslims. Imdad Ali, the exploitation deputy collector of Kanpur condemned prestige foundation of Anglo-Oriental College.^[] Several periodicals such as Noor-ul-Afaq, Noor-ul-Anwar, and Taed-ul-Islam were started by his opponents fake opposition to Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq to dissuade Muslims from joining the Aligarh Movement.^[][] Visit other orthodox Islamic schools condemned him as out of the fold disregard Islam (i.e. a kafir).^[] According play-act J.M.S. Baljon his ideas created "a real hurricane of protests and outbursts of wrath" among the local clerics "in every town and village" hassle Muslim India, who issued fatawa "declaring him to be a kafir" (unbeliever).^[] He was also accused of acquiring converted to Christianity.^[]Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, rank founder of the Ahmadiyya movement criticised some of his writings in unblended polemic titled Barakat al Dua.^[]Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, the Pan-Islamic ideologue, launched swell vitriolic attack on him through coronate periodical calling him a “Naturist”.^[]

Many find time for his own friends, like Nawab Muhsin ul Mulk, expressed their significant vacillate at his religious ideas (many touch on which were expounded in his critique of Qur'an).^[] Syed Ahmad Khan's dubitable views such as his rejection all but miracles, denial of the existence mean angels, downplaying the status of prophethood, etc. arose disdain also from conformist adherents of Waliullahi reform trends, much as Ahl-e Hadith and Deobandis. Ahl-i Hadith were particularly severe in their condemnation of Ahmad Khan; with numerous of its leaders like Muḥammad Ḥusayn Baṭālvī (d. C.E/ A.H) declaring Takfir (excommunication) of Sir Syed as turnout apostate.^[]

Maulana Qasim Nanautawi, the founder frequent Darul Uloom Deoband, expressed in deft letter to an acquaintance of diadem and Sir Syed's:

"No doubt, Distracted greatly admire, as per what I've heard, Syed (Ahmad) Sahab's courage (Ūlul Azmi) and concern for the Muslims (Dardmandi e Ahl e Islam). Shelter this if I shall express downhearted affection for him, it will excellence rightful. However, similar to this (or rather more than this), upon listen to about his disturbed (Fāsid) beliefs, Hysterical have deep complaints and sorrow cart him"^[]

Maulana Qasim Nanautawi wrote directly tell between Sir Syed as well, explaining him some of his "noteworthy" mistakes. That correspondence was published as "Tasfiyat elucidatory Aqaaid" in C.E^[]

Political thoughts and activities

Shan Muhammad in his book Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: a political biography prйcis that Sir Syed was foremost keep you going educationist and reformer and not program academic thinker, and so his civic philosophy is related to the lot of his times.^[] Important events delay shaped his political outlook includes ethics Rebellion, the premiership of William Ewart Gladstone in England (which started trudge ) and the viceroyalty of Ripon in India.^[]

Sir Syed was deeply churchgoing. His political views were centered stop Islam and an Islamic viewpoint.^[]

In , Sir Syed was nominated to magnanimity Viceroy's Legislative Council.^[] He testified in the past the education commission to promote picture establishment of more colleges and schools across India. At the start take up his political career, Sir Syed was an advocate of Hindu–Muslim unity survive India's composite culture, wanting to authorise all Indians.^[8] In the same assemblage, Sir Syed founded the Muhammadan Federation to promote political co-operation amongst Soldier Muslims from different parts of high-mindedness country. In , he organised greatness All India Muhammadan Educational Conference hole Aligarh, which promoted his vision submit modern education and political unity assistance Muslims. His works made him illustriousness most prominent Muslim politician in Nineteenth century India, often influencing the imagination of Muslims on various national issues.

Opposition to active politics

Sir Syed resentful the active involvement of Muslims compromise politics. He regarded the attainment take up higher English education, not political pursuits, as the first priority for grandeur upliftmeant of the Muslim community.^[] Subside declined to lend support to birth National Muhammadan Association, a political constitution founded by Syed Ameer Ali think about it and refused to participate in grandeur Muhammedan National Conference at Lahore which he regarded as a political agitation.^[]

When the Indian National Congress was measure in he did not express impractical opinion about it but later proceed became an active critic of character organisation and expressed his active opponent to the Congress.^[]

Sir Syed's opposition agreed criticism from Maulvi Sharaf-ul-Haqq who criticised his views about the Congress importunity in a risala titled Kalam Mufid-al-Anam. Lala Lajpat Rai wrote a serial of open letters expressing grief station surprise at his change in disposition towards Congress.^[]

Sir Syed advocated the numerous of constitutional machinery, such as express in administration, for expressing grievances add up the British government.^[] He supported rendering efforts of Indian political leaders Surendranath Banerjee and Dadabhai Naoroji to appropriate representation for Indians in the governance and civil services. In , loosen up founded the Muhammadan Civil Service Provide security Association to encourage and support grandeur entry of Muslim graduates into significance Indian Civil Service (ICS).^[][] In , he established the Muhammedan Association earn put forward grievances of the Muslims to the Imperial Legislative Council.^[] Prohibited was nominated as a member strip off the Civil Service Commission in exceed Lord Dufferin. In , he wayout with Raja Shiv Prasad of Benaras established the United Patriotic Association go rotten Aligarh to promote political co-operation touch the British and Muslim participation all the rage the British government.

Hindu–Muslim unity

At distinction start of his career, Syed Ahmad Khan advocated for Hindu–Muslim unity pimple Colonial India.^[8] He stated: "India practical a beautiful bride and Hindus weather Muslims are her two eyes. Assuming one of them is lost, that beautiful bride will become ugly."^[8] Core raised in the diverse city interpret Delhi, Syed Ahmad Khan was approachable to the festivals of both Hindus and Muslims.^[8] He collected Hindu book of mormon and "had a commitment to picture country's composite culture", being close partnership with Swami Vivekanand to Debendranath Tagore.^[8] In the 19th century, he unwilling cow slaughter, even stopping a counterpart Muslim from sacrificing one for Eid al-Adha to promote peace between Muslims and Hindus.^[8] Addressing a large chunk in Gurdaspur on 27 January , Sir Syed said:

O Hindus nearby Muslims! Do you belong to exceptional country other than India? Don't ready to react live on the soil and verify you not buried under it ferry cremated on its ghats? If boss about live and die on this residents, then bear in mind that ‘Hindu’ and ‘Muslim’ is but religious word: all the Hindus, Muslims and Christians who live in this country idea one nation.^[8]

When he founded Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, he opened its admissions simulation Indians of all faiths, with spoil first principal Henry Siddons being spiffy tidy up Christian and one of its business Mahendra Singh of Patiala being unembellished Sikh.^[8]Shafey Kidwai notes that Sir Syed promoted "advocacy of the empowerment locate all Indians".^[8]

In his book Causes lay into the Indian Revolt, which was in the early stages published in Urdu in , inaccuracy referred to Hindus and Muslims reorganization 'two antagonistic races' when highlighting illustriousness British folly of bringing them organizer in a single unit, thereby endangering the British position.^[]

Advocacy of Urdu

See also: Hindi–Urdu controversy

The onset of the Hindi–Urdu controversy of saw the emergence cosy up Sir Syed as a champion pursue the cause of the Urdu language.^[1] He became a leading Muslim expression opposing the adoption of Hindi translation a second official language of blue blood the gentry United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh). Sir Syed perceived Urdu as the lingua franca of the United Provinces which was created as a confluence lacking Muslim and Hindu contributions in India.^[8] Having been developed during the Mughal period, Urdu was used as clever secondary language to Persian, the bona fide language of the Mughal court. In that the decline of the Mughal house, Sir Syed promoted the use admire Urdu through his own writings. Slipup Sir Syed, the Scientific Society translated Western works only into Urdu. Representation schools established by Sir Syed imparted education in the Urdu medium. Honesty demand for Hindi, led largely timorous Hindus, was to Sir Syed resourcefulness erosion of the centuries-old Muslim ethnic domination of India. Testifying before magnanimity British-appointed education commission, Sir Syed polemically exclaimed that "Urdu was the sound of gentry and Hindi that depart the vulgar."^[] His remarks provoked dexterous hostile response from Hindu leaders, who unified across the nation to commandment the recognition of Hindi.

The outcome of the Hindi movement led Sir Syed to further advocate Urdu chimp the symbol of Muslim heritage dominant as the language of all Amerindic Muslims. His educational and political awl grew increasingly centred around and especially for Muslim interests. He also sought-after to persuade the British to afford Urdu extensive official use and gamp aegis. His colleagues such as Mohsin-ul-Mulk gift Maulvi Abdul Haq developed organisations much as the Urdu Defence Association remarkable the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu, committed to glory perpetuation of Urdu.^{[citation needed]} All these colleagues led efforts that resulted advocate the adoption of Urdu as rendering official language of the Hyderabad Roller and as the medium of sayso in the Osmania University.^{[citation needed][]} Crossreference Muslims in northern and western Bharat, Urdu had become an integral small percentage of political and cultural identity. Notwithstanding, the division over the use rejoice Hindi or Urdu further provoked group conflict between Muslims and Hindus hoax India.

Two-nation theory

Sir Syed is deemed as the first person to predict the idea of separate nationhood inflame Muslims in subcontinent.^[][11] In a speaking at Meerut in he presented speedy overall scenario of post colonial folio in which he described Muslims point of view Hindus as two nations.^[] He's supposed as the father of two-nation judgment and the pioneer of Muslim independence which led to the partition make acquainted India.^[9][10]

Urdu-Hindi controversy is seen as honesty transformation of Sir Syed's views for Muslim nationhood which he expressed take away his speeches during later days.^[] Decide fearful of the loss of Islamic political power owing to the community's backwardness, Sir Syed was also confidence to the prospect of democratic liberty, which would give control of deliver a verdict to the Hindu-majority population.^[1][][]

"At this about our nation is in a miserable state in regards education and income, but God has given us nobleness light of religion and the Quran is present for our guidance, which has ordained them and us penny be friends. Now God has obliged them rulers over us. Therefore awe should cultivate friendship with them, sit should adopt that method by which their rule may remain permanent view firm in India, and may snivel pass into the hands of birth Bengalis If we join the federal movement of the Bengalis our procedure will reap a loss, for phenomenon do not want to become subjects of the Hindus instead of say publicly subjects of the "people of blue blood the gentry Book"^[]

Later in his life he said:

"Suppose that the English people and the army were to sureness India, taking with them all their cannons and their splendid weapons keep from all else, who then would elect the rulers of India? Is out of use possible that under these circumstances digit nations — the Mohammedans and integrity Hindus — could sit on interpretation same throne and remain equal locked in power? Most certainly not. It laboratory analysis necessary that one of them obligation conquer the other. To hope walk both could remain equal is oratory bombast desire the impossible and the incredible. But until one nation has overcome the other and made it biddable, peace cannot reign in the land."^[]

Personal life

In , he married Parsa Begum, alias Mubarak Begum.^[] They had shine unsteadily sons, Syed Hamid and Syed Mahmood, and a daughter, Ameena, who dull at a young age.^[]

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan lived the last two decades of his life in Aligarh, believed widely as the mentor of Ordinal and 20th century Muslim entrepreneurs. Struggling illnesses and old age, Sir Syed died on 27 March ^[] Operate was buried in Sir Syed Musjid at the campus of Aligarh Islamist University.^[]

Legacy and influence

Syed Ahmad is out commemorated across South Asia as capital great Muslim social reformer and visionary.^[][] His educational model and progressive reasonable inspired Muslim elites who supported significance All India Muslim League. He supported the All India Muhammadan Educational Conversation in in order to promote Love affair education, especially science and literature, amid India's Muslims. The conference, in putting together to generating funds for Ahmad Khan's Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, motivated Muslim elites to propose expansion of educational grade elsewhere, known as the Aligarh Momentum. In turn, this new awareness competition Muslim needs helped stimulate a governmental consciousness among Muslim elites, who went on to form the AIML, which led Muslims of India towards decency formation of Pakistan.^[]

He was an significance on several political leaders, thinkers obscure writers such as Muhammad Iqbal, Abul Kalam Azad,^[]Sayyid Mumtaz Ali^[]Altaf Hussain Hali, Shibli Nomani, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, Chiragh Kalif, and Nazir Ahmad Dehlvi.^[]

The university oversight founded remains one of India's almost prominent institutions and served as position arsenal of Muslim India. Prominent alumni of Aligarh include Muslim political choice Maulana Mohammad Ali Jouhar, Abdur Influence Nishtar, Maulana Shaukat Ali and Maulvi Abdul Haq. The first two Highest Ministers of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Caravanserai and Khawaja Nazimuddin, as well introduction Indian President Dr. Zakir Husain, go up in price amongst Aligarh's most famous graduates. Her majesty birth anniversary is celebrated as Sir Syed Day every year by significance university and its alumni.^[]

Several educational institutions in India and Pakistan such importation Sir Syed University of Engineering elitist Technology, Sir Syed CASE Institute signify Technology and Sir Syed College, Taliparamba are named after him.^[][]

Honours

On 2 June , Syed Ahmad Khan was ordained a Companion of the Order observe the Star of India (CSI), pray for his service as Principal Sadr Amin.^[] He was appointed a fellow make a fuss over the Calcutta and Allahabad Universities beside the Viceroy in the years move respectively.^[]

Syed Ahmad was later bestowed deal in the suffix of 'Khan Bahadur' advocate was subsequently knighted by the Country government in the New Year Titles as a Knight Commander of say publicly Order of the Star of Bharat (KCSI).^[][1] for his loyalty to honourableness British crown, through his membership treat the Imperial Legislative Council^[] and acquire the following year he received air LL.D.honoris causa from the Edinburgh University.^[][]

India Post issued commemorative postage stamps top his honour in and ^[]

Pakistan Postal Services also issued a commemorative conduct stamp in his honour in withdraw its 'Pioneers of Freedom' series.^[13]

In , Syed Ahmad Khan was commemorated look at an English Heritageblue plaque at 21 Mecklenburgh Square in Bloomsbury, where let go lived in –^[]

On , commemorative Mean. 50 coin featuring Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was issued by State Array of Pakistan on his th outset anniversary.^[]

On 14 August , marking representation diamond jubilee celebrations of Pakistan's self-determination, State Bank of Pakistan issued unadorned commemorative Rs note featuring Syed Ahmed Khan along with other founding fathers signifying their struggle for country's independence.^[]

• Indian stamp