Pak Studies Assignment # 01

NAME: FIZZA ARSHAD
FATHER’S NAME: ARSHAD MAJEED

ROLL NO: 271
SECTION: F
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN STUDIES AND ALIGARH
MOVEMENT
ASSIGNMENT: 01
SUBMITTED TO: SIR ARSHAD JAVED RIZVI
DEPARTMENT: BS SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
QUESTION:
Discuss the educational and political services of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and its impact on Indian
Muslims (4).
ANSWER:
SERVICES OF SIR SYED AHMAD KHAN:

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan played a vital role in the educational uplift of the Muslims in India. He
did the following things to improve the educational standards:
 Set up a journal, “Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq”, which contained articles of influential Muslims
who agreed with Sir Syed's approach towards education.
 Founded scientific society in ghazipur in 1863.
 Opened school in moradabad in 1859.
 Opened school in ghazipur in 1864.
 Made a committee to raise funds for new schools.
 Set up Muhammadan Anglo Oriental School in Aligarh on 24 May 1875.
 Set up Muhammadan educational conferences in 1866 to raise the standards of
education.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan has been a deeply contested figure. For the Hindu right, he is regarded as
the precursor of the two-nation theory. It is said about him that through his writings and speeches,
he sowed the seeds of separatism in India. On the other hand, for the Muslims and also for some
sections of the left, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan has been hailed as a modernist. It was through his efforts
that English education found some traction within the Muslim community in India. In the words
of historians like Tara Chand, Sir Syed Ahmed was singularly responsible for bringing out the
Muslim community from the ‘Slough of Despondency’. While his contribution to separatism and
communalism will be debated for a long time to come.
It is often said about Sir Syed Ahmed Khan that he introduced English education to Muslims. We
look in detail whether his kind of education was for the masses or for specific classes within
Muslims, but first there is a need to look into the assertion that he inaugurated English education
for Muslims. From the first extract given later, it becomes clear for whom this English education
was intended. Those who argue that Sir Syed Ahmed had the interests of all Muslims at heart are
simply wrong as his statements are very clear that he wanted English education only for the sharif
classes of Muslims.
It is clear therefore that despite his fascination for Europe and its enlightenment, Sir Syed Ahmed
had a very limited understanding of modern education. We can tease out three purposes for which
he thought modern education would be beneficial for Muslims. The first purpose of education,
according to him, was that it would provide government jobs for Muslims.
Sir Syed Ahmed had time and again told Muslims that the only way that Muslims can bring back
their lost glory was through education. Education would give them jobs within the government,
and they could become judges and civil servants which would enhance the status of Muslims. It is
important to understand that Sir Syed Ahmed was deeply troubled by the fall of Muslims in terms
of social status and prestige. Especially after the British took power, Muslims lagged behind in
modern education and therefore lost out to Hindu upper castes.
POLITICAL SERVICES:
In 1878, Sir Syed was nominated to the Viceroy's Legislative Council. He testified before the
education commission to promote the establishment of more colleges and schools across India. In
the same year, Sir Syed founded the Muhammadan Association to promote political co-operation
amongst Indian Muslims from different parts of the country. In 1886, he organised the All India
Muhammadan Educational Conference in Aligarh, which promoted his vision of modern education
and political unity for Muslims.
TWO NATION THEORY:
Sir Syed is considered as the first person to theorize the idea of separate nationhood for Muslims
in subcontinent. In a speech at Meerut in 1866 he presented on overall scenario of post colonial
phase in which he described Muslims and Hindus as two nations. He's regarded as the father
of Two-Nation Theory and the pioneer of Muslim nationalism which led to the partition of India.
Urdu-Hindi controversy is seen as the transformation of Sir Syed's views towards Muslim
nationhood which he expressed in his speeches during later days.
ALL-INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE:
Sir Syed's educational model and progressive thinking inspired Muslim elites who supported
the All India Muslim League. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded the All India Muhammadan
Educational Conference in 1886 in order to promote Western education, especially science and
literature, among India's Muslims. The conference, in addition to generating funds for Sir Syed
Ahmad Khan's Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, motivated Muslim elites to propose
expansion of educational uplift elsewhere, known as the Aligarh Movement. In turn this new
awareness of Muslim needs helped stimulate a political consciousness among Muslim elites that
went on to form the AIML which led Muslims of India towards formation of Pakistan.
Overall, Sir Syed is hailed as a Muslim social reformer who promoted communal harmony and
peaceful coexistence of all communities in India. However in later days he presented the idea of
Muslim nationhood under the fear of Hindu domination which became the basis for creation of
Pakistan and thus Sir Syed is also considered among the founders of Pakistan. In an undivided
India under the British rule, he was worried about Muslim backwardness and unwillingness to
adopt modern education. He worked towards social and educational upliftment of Muslims so as
to enable them to walk shoulder to shoulder with all other communities in India.
IMPACT ON INDIAN MUSLIMS:
Muslim elites prompted Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to take up the case of Muslims and his life-long
journey as an Islamic reformer and educationist is a testament to his dedication.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan established the MAO College which eventually became the Aligarh
Muslim University. He opposed ignorance, superstitions and evil customs prevalent in Indian
Muslim society. He firmly believed that Muslim society would not progress without the acquisition
of western education and science.
1. Because of Sir Syed Ahmad khan the Muslims of India got educated.
2. Because of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Indian Muslims got jobs (because of the education)
and got respect and equality with British and Hindus.
3. Through the efforts of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and other leaders Indian Muslims got their
rights.
4. Because of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Muslims got the power and courage to face the evils
and to stand for their rights.

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NAME: FIZZA ARSHAD

FATHER’S NAME: ARSHAD MAJEED

SERVICES OF SIR SYED AHMAD KHAN:

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