Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817 - 1898)

Syed Ahmad Khan Bahadur (Urdu:سید احمد خان بہا در ) (October 17, 1817, Delhi - March 27, 1898, Aligarh), was an Indian Muslim educator, jurist, and author, who led the Aligarh Movement which resulted in the formation of the Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College, later to blossom into the Aligarh Muslim University, at Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Image File history File links Sir_Syed1. ... Image File history File links Sir_Syed1. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, Hindi, and Arabic influence in South Asia during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ... October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... It has been suggested that National Capital Territory of Delhi be merged into this article or section. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in leap years). ... 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Victoria gate, a part of Aligarh University campus Aligarh (Hindi: अलीगढ़) is a city in Uttar Pradesh state of India. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Turkish: Müslüman, Persian: مسلمان) is an adherent of Islam. ... Sir Syed, the founder of Aligarh movement Aligarh Movement, was the movement led by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, to educate the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent after their defeat in the freedom struggle of 1857. ... MAO College MAO College (or Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College) was founded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the leader of Muslim renaissance in Indian subcontinent, in 1875 at Aligarh. ... Victoria gate, a prominent building at the university Aligarh Muslim University is a university located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. ... Victoria gate, a part of Aligarh University campus Aligarh (Hindi: अलीगढ़) is a city in Uttar Pradesh state of India. ... Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: उत्तर प्रदेश, Urdu: اتر پردیش), also popularly known by its abbreviation UP, is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Union of India. ...

Biography

His father, who received an allowance from the Mughal administration, became something of a religious recluse; his maternal grandfather Khawaja Fareeduddin was a 'scholar-bureaucrat’, to use a contemporary, expression, had twice served as the Principal Adviser to the titular Mughal "king" of Delhi. For an India, Khawaja Fareed held, arguably, positions of highest responsibility under the British East India Company. With an "other worldly father", Khawaja Fareeduddin played an important role in the upbringing of his maternal grand-children. Syed Ahmed's elder brother, too, was a pioneer in his own way as the founder of the first Urdu Printing Press in Delhi and editor of the first ever newspaper in that language. Syed Ahmed acquired education typical of the Muslim aristocracy of the time- he received instructions in Arabic, Persian, Mathematics, Astronomy and Islamic Jurisprudence from the galaxy of scholars which adorned Delhi around that time despite the virtual eclipse of the Mughal empire. No introvert, Syed Ahmed was equally adept in outdoor activities like swimming and wrestling and was a "gentleman of leisure" till the death of his father in 1838. As was to become almost second nature to the man, he had extraordinary foresight to spurn offers from the nominal mughal ruler for a high-sounding, but in reality a rather in fructuous appointment in the Mughal court and settled for the job of the Clerk of the Court under the British East India Company at Agra, some 105 miles from Delhi- a career choice that was to prove critical for Muslims of the Indian sub-continent. The British East India Company, sometimes referred to as John Company, was a joint-stock company which was granted an English Royal Charter by Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600, with the intent to favour trade privileges in India. ...

MAO College

Sir Syed Ahmad was a multitalented man, and his position in the judicial department left him time to be active in many fields. His career as an author (in Urdu) started at the age of 23 with religious tracts. In 1847 he brought out a noteworthy book, Athar Assanadid ("Monuments of the Great"), on the antiquities of Delhi. Even more important was his pamphlet, "The Causes of the Indian Revolt". In this booklet he ably and fearlessly laid bare the weaknesses and errors of the British administration that had led to dissatisfaction and the so-called Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Widely read by British officials, it had considerable influence on British policy. Image File history File links MAO_College. ... Image File history File links MAO_College. ... An engraving titled Sepoy Indian troops dividing the spoils after their mutiny against British rule gives a contemporary view of events from the British perspective. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

The supreme interest of Sir Syed's life was education, in its widest sense. He established schools at Muradabad (1858) and Ghazipur (1863). A more ambitious undertaking was the foundation of the Scientific Society, which published translations of many educational texts and issued a bilingual journal, in Urdu and English. Ghazipur is a town in Uttar Pradesh, India, on the Ganges River. ...

Sir Syed's gravesite

These institutions were for the use of all citizens and were jointly operated by Hindus and the Muslims; however, Sir Syed and many other Muslims felt threatened by their minority status; Sir Syed, against great opposition, felt that as a culture Indian Muslims should accept Western education and, to a limited extent, Western culture. During a visit to England (1869-70) he prepared plans for a great educational institution, a "Muslim Cambridge". On his return he set up a committee for the purpose and also started an influential journal, Tahzib al-Akhlaq ("Social Reform"), for the "uplift and reform of the Muslim". A Muslim school was established at Aligarh in May 1875, and, after his retirement in 1876, Sir Syed devoted himself to enlarging it into a college. In January 1877 the foundation stone of the college was laid by the Viceroy. This college made rapid progress. Sir Syeds grave File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Sir Syeds grave File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. ...

In 1886 Sir Syed organized the All-India Muhammadan Educational Conference, which met annually to promote education and to provide Muslims with a common platform. Sir Syed advised Muslims against joining active politics and to concentrate instead on education.

However the attitude of Hindus and the Congress Part compelled Sir Syed to reconsider his ideas, He was pained to see both Congress and Hindus working against the interest of the Muslims. Sir Syed always advocated Hindu Muslim unity and did every effort to bring them closer on one single platform. The membership of British Indian association was kept open for both Hindus and Muslims. In 1886 Sir Syed Founded the British Indian association which worked for the safeguards of the rights of Indian People.

Altaf Hussain Hali, the famous Urdu poet who was also a friend and associate, wrote Sir Syed's biography Hayat-i-Javed. Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali (1837-1914) was an Urdu poet, and the last pupil of Mirza Ghalib. ... The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, Hindi, and Arabic influence in South Asia during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ... Hayat-i-Javed is the biography of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan by Altaf Hussain Hali, the great urdu poet who was also his friend and associate . ...

Hindi-Urdu Controversy

Main article: Hindi-Urdu controversy

In 1876, some Hindus began to demand that Hindi should be made an official language in place of Urdu. Communal violence broke out as the issue was taken up by firebrands. Sir Syed had once stated, "I look to both Hindus and Muslims with the same eyes & consider them as my own eyes. By the word nation I only mean Hindus and Muslims and nothing else. We Hindus and Muslims live together under the same soil under the same government. Our interest and problems are common and therefore I consider the two factions as one nation." Speaking to Mr. Shakespeare, the governor of Banaras, after the language controversy heated up, he said "I am now convinced that the Hindus and Muslims could never become one nation as their religion and way of life was quite distinct from one and other." In 1867, some Hindus began to demand that Hindi should be made an official language in place of Urdu 1. ... Hindi (हिन्दी or हिंदी in DevanāgarÄ«), an Indo-European language spoken mainly in Northern and Central India is the official language of the central government of India. ... The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, Hindi, and Arabic influence in South Asia during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ... Benares (also known as Banaras, Kashi, Kasi and Varanasi (वाराणसी)) is a Hindu holy city on the banks of the river Ganga or Ganges in the modern north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ...

Sir Syed, the foremost intellectual among the Indian Muslim population and probably the native Indian to whom the British lent the most credence, was greatly affected by the Hindi-Urdu Controversy. In a prescient moment, Sir Syed later said "now I am convinced that both these communities will not join whole heartedly in anything. At present there is no open hostility between the two communities but it will increase immensely in the future." Proponents of the creation of an Islamic republic called Pakistan often label Sir Syed one of the originators of the idea, based on this quote and others like it.

Timeline

It has been suggested that National Capital Territory of Delhi be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Agra (disambiguation). ... Mainpuri Town, the administrative headquarters of the Mainpuri District, is situated to the north-east of Agra, in Uttar Pradesh. ... Fatehpur Sikri is a 16th-century capital city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar on a rocky outcrop near the city of Agra in India. ... Bijnor, variously spelt as Bijnaur and Bijnour, is a town, which is the district headquarters of Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh state, India. ... Meerut is an ancient city located to the north-east of New Delhi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. ... Moradabad is a city in Uttar Pradesh state of India. ... Ghazipur is a town in Uttar Pradesh, India, on the Ganges River. ... Victoria gate, a part of Aligarh University campus Aligarh (Hindi: अलीगढ़) is a city in Uttar Pradesh state of India. ... Benares (also known as Banaras, Kashi, Kasi and Varanasi (वाराणसी)) is a Hindu holy city on the banks of the river Ganga or Ganges in the modern north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ... Homeopathy (also spelled homœopathy or homoeopathy), from the Greek words homoios (similar) and pathos (suffering), is a controversial system of alternative medicine involving the use of remedies without chemically active ingredients. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the United Kingdom (light green), with the Republic of Ireland (blue) to its west Languages English Capital London Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population –mid-2004... This article or section should be merged with Mumbai Mumbai (previously known as Bombay) is the worlds most populous conurbation, and is the sixth most populous agglomeration in the world. ... A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ... MAO College MAO College (or Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College) was founded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the leader of Muslim renaissance in Indian subcontinent, in 1875 at Aligarh. ... The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ... Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (May 25, 1803 – January 18, 1873) was an English novelist, playwright, and politician. ... Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, (June 21, 1826 – February 12, 1902) was a prominent member of Victorian society. ... Edinburgh (pronounced ; Dùn Èideann () in Scottish Gaelic) is the second-largest city in Scotland and the countrys capital city. ...

Works

Sir Syed image on stamp

Publications

• Asbab-e-Baghawath-e-Hind (Causes of the Indian Revolt)
• Khutba'at-e-Ahmadia (Lectures by Ahmed)
• Partial Commentary on the Holy Bible (First by a Muslim)
• Biography of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

Magazines he started

• Tehzib-ul-Ikhlaq
• Scientific Society Magazine
• Ain-i-Akbari

Organizations he founded

• Mohammadan Educational Conference

Institutions he founded

• Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College, later the Aligarh Muslim University

Image File history File links Sir_Syed_stamp. ... Image File history File links Sir_Syed_stamp. ... Victoria gate, a prominent building at the university Aligarh Muslim University is a university located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. ...

References

1. ^ Chronology, from Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology

See also

• Aligarh Muslim University
• Indian Mutiny
• Hayat-i-Javed
• Ross Masood, the only grandson

Victoria gate, a prominent building at the university Aligarh Muslim University is a university located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. ... An engraving titled Sepoy Indian troops dividing the spoils after their mutiny against British rule gives a contemporary view of events from the British perspective. ... Hayat-i-Javed is the biography of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan by Altaf Hussain Hali, the great urdu poet who was also his friend and associate . ... Ross (r) with Iqbal (l), and Suleman Nadvi Sir Ross Masood (February 15, 1889 - 1937), was the only grandson of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the father of Muslim renaissance in Indian subcontinent . ...

External links

An engraving titled Sepoy Indian troops dividing the spoils after their mutiny against British rule gives a contemporary view of events from a strictly British perspective. ... In 1867, some Hindus began to demand that Hindi should be made an official language in place of Urdu 1. ... Sir Syed, the founder of Aligarh movement Aligarh Movement, was the movement led by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, to educate the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent after their defeat in the freedom struggle of 1857. ... MAO College MAO College (or Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College) was founded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the leader of Muslim renaissance in Indian subcontinent, in 1875 at Aligarh. ... Victoria gate, a prominent building at the university Aligarh Muslim University is a university located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. ... Pakistan Movement is a name given to the independence struggle carried out by the Muslims of British South Asia to create a separate homeland. ... Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk (Dec 9, 1837 - 1907), also known as Syed Mehdi Ali was one of the founders of All India Muslim League. ... Nawab Mushtaq Hussain Viqar-ul-Mulk (March 24, 1841-January 27, 1917), also known as Mushtaq Hussain, was a Muslim politician and one of the founders of All India Muslim League. ... Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali was an Urdu poet, and the last student of Mirza Ghalib. ... Mawlana Shibli Numani (in Arabic: شبلي نعماني) was a famous Indian Muslim scholar (1857 - 1914). ... Dr Hakim Ajmal Khan was an Indian freedom fighter, a Muslim doctor and educationalist. ... Ross (r) with Iqbal (l), and Suleman Nadvi Sir Ross Masood (February 15, 1889 - 1937), was the only grandson of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the father of Muslim renaissance in Indian subcontinent . ... Note : Do not confuse with Ahmadi Maulana Muhammad Ali , Muhammad Ali ,the Muslim boxer or any other people named Muhammad Ali : Muhammad Ali (disambiguation) Muhammad Ali Jouhar Maulana Mohammad Ali (1878 - 1931), also addressed with the suffix Jauhar, which was his pen name, was an Indian Muslim nationalist and leader... Liaquat Ali Khan Liaquat Ali Khan Nawabzaada Khan Liaquat Ali Khan (October 1, 1896 – October 16, 1951) was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan. ... Khawaja Nazimuddin Khawaja Nazimuddin (Urdu: خواجہ ناظم الدین) (Bengali: খাজা নাজিমুদ্দীন)(July 19, 1894 - 1964) was the second Governor-General of Pakistan, and later the second Prime Minister of Pakistan as well. ... Dr Zakir Husain (February 8, 1897 - May 3, 1969) was the third President of India from May 13, 1967 until his death. ... Abdur Rab Nishtar Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar (13 June 1899 - 14th February 1958) Muslim League stalwart and Pakstan movement activist Sardar Nishtar was born in Peshawar, NWFP. He completed his early education mission school and later Sanatan Dharram High School in Peshawar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Dr. Sir Ziauddin Ahmed (February 13, 1878 - December 23, 1947) was an eminent scholar and Rector of Aligarh Muslim University, India. ... Maulana Shaukat Ali (Born in 1873) is an Indian nationalist Muslim and freedom fighter. ... Zafar Ali Khan Maulana Zafar Ali Khan (1873–1956), was a writer, poet, and journalist who took an important part in Pakistan Movement. ...