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Topic 1 in Historical Perspective Ideological Rationale with special reference to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Learning Objectives ❏ In the first lecture on historical perspectives, your teacher will present a recollection of the various contributions made by Sir...

Topic 1 in Historical Perspective Ideological Rationale with special reference to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Learning Objectives ❏ In the first lecture on historical perspectives, your teacher will present a recollection of the various contributions made by Sir Syed towards the educational advancement of the Subcontinent’s Muslims. ❏ You will learn what Sir Syed found was the main (contributing) reason for the Mutiny of 1857. ❏ Your teacher will provide a chronological overview of a reformist movement, led by Sir Syed, that aimed to educate Muslims, train them in the modern sciences, to be at par with other communities of India, and to voice their aspirations as a community, to the rulers of India i.e., the British (at the time). ❏ We will also recall some of Sir Syed’s misgivings about the Congress party and participation of Muslims in mainstream politics. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s Contributions towards Muslim Revitalization Syed Ahmed Khan is remembered for his immense contributions to the educational advancement and modernization of the Muslims of the subcontinent. Syed Ahmed wanted to refute British attacks on the history of Islam. One purpose of his trip to England in 1869 was to consult books and manuscripts no longer available in the subcontinent. He was impressed by the scientific, industrial, cultural, and economic progress of the West. He paid a visit to the University of Cambridge, and came back with a firm resolve to educate his people, to uproot social evils prevalent amongst the Muslims and to teach the European literature and sciences. Sir Syed establishes schools and colleges in the U.P He establishes the first school, imparting Western education, in Moradabad, U.P, in 1858. Establishes a ‘Translation Society’, during January 1864, later known as the scientific society. It translated scientific literature into urdu. Founded the Aligarh Institute Gazette, in 1866, catering to the cultural needs of Muslim Indians, who had acquired a western education. He planned and established, in 1877, an educational institution, on the patterns of an English Public school, which was located at Aligarh; called the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO College). There was even a union club, where students were encouraged to discuss what things India might want to borrow from Europe and what things it should hold on to; He said, “For gentleman, that you have a civilization of your own”. The college provided the first platform for the Muslims of the subcontinent, and thus became the nursery of ideas that led to Pakistan. Syed Ahmed Khan was a Socio-religious Reformer In his efforts to modernize Muslim society, he furnished rational and liberal interpretations of Islamic theology. On the one hand, he defended Islam against the onslaught of Western critics and on the other hand, he tried to prove to the orthodox and conservative ulema, amongst the Muslims, that Islam was in harmony with rationalism, nature and science. ❏ He argued that religious principles must be subjected to scientific reasoning. ❏ He published a refutation of Sir William Muir’s book, Life of Mahomet. ❏ Subjected the bible to a historical scrutiny. His Political Contributions ❏ Wrote a pamphlet called, ‘The Causes of the Indian Revolt’. In it he presented the main reason for the mutiny of 1857, as a lack of communication between the British and the various Indian communities. ❏ He worked to dispel british misgivings against the Muslims. A recurring theme in his writings was that Muslims & Islam, were not, as a principle, required to oppose British rule in India. ❏ He opposed the Indian National Congress, discouraging Muslims from applying for its membership. ❏ Fathered the ‘ Two Nation theory’ which states that the Hindus and Muslims were two separate communities of India, with distinct cultural traits. ❏ He founded the All-India Muhammadan Educational Conference in 1886, at Aligarh. Aligarh Movement It is the name of a greater educational movement that came into existence in the Indian city of Aligarh, spearheaded by Sir Syed. This movement, later, spread to all corners of the Indian subcontinent. Schools, colleges and later a university at Aligarh, were established for the moral, spiritual, political and social uplift of the Muslim community, in general, and for all native Indians, in particular. It triggered an Indian Muslim renaissance of self-consciousness, self- expression and social uplift, that, later, enabled the establishment of the All-India Muslim league and the demand for Pakistan. The following readings will provide a more detailed perspective on Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s efforts in revitalizing Indian Muslims ❏ An article on ‘Sir Syed’ written by myself. A retrievable link is provided below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12LMItJpG8NW2l4ZRDhmXkKcltqXQa_Ue/vie w?usp=sharing ❏ Kazmi, M.R. (2007). Chapter 10: The Educational Movements: Sir Syed and Aligarh. In Pakistan Studies (pp. 51-53). Karachi:Oxford University Press. ❏ Kazmi, M.R. (2007). Chapter 11: Political Aspects of the Aligarh Movement. In Pakistan Studies. (pp. 61-62). Karachi: Oxford University Press. ❏ Paracha, N. F. (2016, August 15). "The forgotten future: Sir Syed and the birth of Muslim nationalism in South Asia". Dawn Newspaper. Retrieved from https://www.dawn.com/news/1277341 If you don’t have the book yet, click on the icon to listen to me narrating:  Overview & Summary of the Lecture ❏ We discussed the formative background for Sir Syed’s ideas about Muslim revival in India. ❏ We presented Sir Syed’s thesis on the reasons for the Mutiny of 1857 and the lessons drawn from this experience. ❏ We provided a chronological overview of the specific contributions made by Sir Syed in implementing a Westernized educational system, for the Muslims. ❏ His thoughts about harmonizing religious theology with modern education were discussed. ❏ His efforts in setting historical facts, around the mutiny and defense of the principles of Islam, were highlighted.  Concluding Questions 1) What led Sir Syed to start a revivalist movement for the social uplift of Muslims? 2) What was the impact of his writings on the British? 3) Why did he advocate for the Two Nation theory? What were the circumstances around its formulation. 4) What were the impact(s) of the Aligarh Movement? Please enjoy this Urdu documentary on Sir Syed Follow the link provided below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NijMZZa9E3o. Thank you for following this lecture Have a great day