Name:

ANAS AHMAD
Reg No:
L1F23BSCS0464
CLASS:
A11
SUBJECT:
PAKISTAN STUDIES
INSTITUTE:
University of central Punjab
Efforts of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to uplift Indian muslims:
Introduction:

Syed Ahmed Khan was born in Delhi, the capital of the Mughal Empire to an
affluent and aristocratic family that had close ties with the Mughal court. He was educated in the
Quran and the sciences. He also received an honorary law degree from the University of
Edinburgh later in life. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a Muslim reformer who played a pivotal role
in the upliftment of Indian Muslims. He founded the Muslim Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh
to provide modern education to Muslims. He also wrote extensively on the need for Muslims to
reform their society and embrace modern education. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's legacy is still felt
today, and he is remembered as one of the greatest Muslim reformers of the modern era. Sir Syed
Ahmed Khan also wrote extensively on the need for Muslims to reform their society and
embrace modern education. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's legacy is still felt today. The MAO College
has evolved into the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University, which is one of the leading
universities in India. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's writings continue to be read and studied by
Muslims around the world. He is remembered as one of the greatest Muslim reformers of the
modern era.

BACKGROUND:

1. War of independence:

The War of Independence is an important landmark in the history of

Sub-Continent. This War was fought in 1857 by Indians against the British in order to get rid
of their domination. It is also given names as Indian Rebellion, Indian Mutiny as well as
Indian Revolt. The main causes of the War were political, social, economic, military and
religious. It was an extreme effort made by Indians, but they failed due to certain reasons
including mutual jealousies, disunity, and lack of central leadership etc. This war was not
spread throughout India but it was limited to few areas mainly Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur,
Lucknow etc. The main event which became the immediate cause of the war was the refusal
of the Sepoys to use the grease covered cartridges (greased with fat of pig and cow) on
January 23, 1857. At the same time, an Indian sepoy killed two British officers at
Barrackpore, when he was forced to use greased cartridges. He was arrested and hanged to
death on April 8, 1857.

Effects of war of independence:

I. This made British angry; they took revenge not only from the freedom fighter but
from the Indian Muslims; as well as thousands of Indian Muslims were slaughtered
by the British.
II. The revolt of 1857 caused the transfer of powers from the hands of the East India
Company to the crown of England. This was achieved under the better government of
India act of 1858. Under this act, India came into direct control under the crown,
which started acting through a state secretary.
III. The British consider that the Muslims are responsible for the war. So they stop
recruiting men form Muslim in their army. The British also wanted to keep Muslims
IV. In contrast the Hindus took advantage of Muslims’ compromised position and filled
the space by adapting themselves to the new rule. They accepted British education,
learned to speak English and occupied almost all posts offered to Indians. Thus the
Muslim community lost its social, economic and political status as a result of the
War.

In conclusion, after the war of independence the Muslims lost its social values , they cannot
get better educations or better jobs that make make them valuable but British put Muslims
out from public sector job . Their ownership were eliminated from their propertries and land.
These things create social difference between Indian Muslims and hindus . the role of Sir
syed ahmed khan started afer the war of independence . he started movements for the
muslims of the subcontinent.

CONTRIBUTIONS:
 i. Improving relationship between British and Indian Muslims:

According to Sir Syed, improving relations with the

British and providing Muslims with higher-quality education would be the only ways to
enhance the status of Muslims in the subcontinent. The British had put the entire
responsibilities for war of independence on Muslims. India's Loyal Mohammedans was
written by Sir Syed in 1860. He addressed the British charge of disloyalty against the
Muslims in this work. He described in great detail the faithful service Muslims had rendered
to the British and mentioned specific Muslims who had done so. He simultaneously urged the
British to stop being hostile to the Muslim community. Even members of the Royal family
received copies. Some British officials were angered by what Sir Syed wrote as he seemed to be
blaming them for the uprising. Others read what he wrote with sympathy and accepted that there
was truth in his words.

ii. Education :
During the 19th century, the Indian Muslim community faced
numerous challenges, including social, political, and educational setbacks. Sir Syed Ahmed
Khan recognized the importance of education as a means of empowerment and upliftment.
He believed that Muslims needed to embrace modern education and scientific knowledge to
navigate the changing times effectively.

 Establishing the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College

In 1875, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in
Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh (now known as Aligarh Muslim University). This institution aimed to
provide Muslims with a comprehensive and modern education that combined Western
knowledge with Islamic teachings. MAO College became a symbol of educational progress and a
catalyst for social change among Indian Muslims.

iii. Scientific Society:

In 1864, the Scientific Society of Aligarh was established by Sir Syed

Ahmed Khan. It was a major effort that attempted to encourage scientific education and the
sharing modern scientific knowledge among Muslims in India. The society's main goal was
to translate and publish scientific publications into India's common languages, especially
those that dealt with Western science and technology. This improved Indian population
 access to scientific literature. The organization translated several scientific materials,
including books on astronomy, mathematics, the natural sciences, and other technical topics.
Scientific knowledge became accessible to a wider public thanks to these translations.

iv. Books:

Sir syed Ahmed khan wrote many book which are :

1. Risala-I-Asbab-Baghawat-Hind:

One year after the War of Independence , He made

his first effort and wrote a book “Risala-i-Asbab-i-Baghawat-i-Hind” (The causes of
Indian Revolt) . Sir Syed Ahmed Khan analyzed the factors that led to the Indian
Rebellion of 1857. He highlighted the various socio-political, economic, and religious
causes that contributed to the outbreak of the rebellion. These factors included the
introduction of the new Enfield rifles, which required sepoys to bite off the cartridge,
rumored to be greased with animal fat, which offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

2. Tehqiq-i-Lafz-i-Nasara:

One the publication or sir syed ahmed khan was Tehqiq-i-Lafz-

Nasara . At that time the word Nasara was used for Christians in the positive meaning. It
never meant that muslims were viewing Christians in terrible way . It was an effective
attempt to eliminate the confusion developed between Christians and the Muslims.

V. Political Contribution:

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan made significant political contributions

during the 19th century in colonial India. He was a vocal advocate for the rights and interests of
Muslims, recognizing the importance of political empowerment in conjunction with educational
reform. Notably, he held a pro-British stance, believing that collaboration with the British
colonial rulers was essential for the betterment of the Muslim community. One of his key
political endeavors was the founding of the Scientific Society of Aligarh in 1864. This society
aimed to promote the study of modern sciences and technologies among Muslims, indirectly
fostering a more progressive outlook among the community. Sir Syed's emphasis on modern
education, exemplified by the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University, was not only an
educational endeavor but also a political one, as he understood that education played a crucial
role in making Muslims politically conscious and active.

Sir Syed was critical of the Indian National Congress, primarily composed of Hindus, believing
it did not adequately represent the interests of Muslims. Instead, he favored the concept of
separate electorates to protect Muslim rights and representation.

CONCLUSION :

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan concluded that education and social reform are
essential for the upliftment of Indian Muslims. Muslims should embrace Western science and
technology while preserving their core Islamic values. They should also abandon outdated
customs and traditions and adopt Western ways of thinking and living. Additionally, Muslims
should play an active role in public life and contribute to the development of India. Sir Syed
Ahmed Khan's legacy is still felt today. The MAO College, which he founded, has evolved into
the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's writings continue to inspire
Muslims around the world to strive for excellence and progress.

REFERENCE:

 Book
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan: A Pioneer of Muslim Modernization, by Mushirul Hasan
(1998)
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan: A Biography, by Syed Mahmood (1970)

 Websites

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Encyclopaedia Britannica

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Wikipedia