THE ALIGARH MOVEMENT

THE ALIGARH MOVEMENT

Background of the Aligarh Movement

Indian authority was shifted from the Muslims to the British hands, as a result of the failure of the War of Independence, 1857. The great debacle shook the entire structure of South Asia’s social and political life to the depth of its roots. This course of events gave birth to a person like Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan.  He tried to bridge the gap between ‘ruler’ and ‘subject’ i.e, Britain and Muslims.

Sir Sayyad’s conciliatory efforts, taken collectively, are known as ‘Aligarh Movement’. A large section of the Indian Muslim community appreciated his efforts and stood by his side, while a larger part did not see eye to eye with him and opposed him bitterly, because to them Sir Sayyid policy would hurt the national and religious pride of the Muslims. Notwithstanding the sincerity of purpose Sir Sayyid may have, the opponents believed, following his policy would mean eternal slavery for the Muslim of India.

Objectives of Sir Sayyied’s efforts can be summed up in four points:

1.                   To bring about conciliation among the Muslima and the British.

2.                   To spread education among the Muslims, impact English language and learning and make the Muslims familiar with the British culture and way of life.

3.                   To Make the Muslims loyal subjects of the British Government.

4.                   To develop friendly and good neighborly relations between the Muslims and other Indian nations.

Sir Sayyid’s Efforts

Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan took the following major steps for the achievement of his objectives:

1.                   CAUSES OF INDIAN MUTINY: Sir Sayyid wrote a book titled “Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind” especially meant for readying the members of the British Parliament. In this book, he tried to prove that the uprising of 1857 was, by no means, a war of independence, this was just an upheaval spurred by a few trouble mongers.

2.                   The Loyal Muhammadans of India: In the year 1860, Sir Sayyid launched a magazine under the title of “Loyal Muhammadans of India”. In this magazine he started the highlighting the services of those Muslim nobles who had put their lives in danger to save the lives of the British officials and citizens.

3.                   Some other Reconciliatory Efforts: In order to bring the British rulers and the Muslims closer to each other, Sir Sayyid wrote a number of books and tracts, most notable among these were:

Asar ul Sana Deed, Tabein-ul-kalam (a commentary of the Bible), Risala-Ekham-e-Toam-e-Ahle-e-Kitab, and Aligarh Institute Gazette.

4.                   Establsihment of Schools: During the days of his service Sir Sayyid opened schools at different places i.e, Murad Abad (1859), Ghazipur (1862).

5.                   Establishment of the Scientific Society: Sir Sayyid launched an institution with the purpose of translating important scholarly works from English to Urdu; he give it the name of ‘Scientific Society’.

6.                   Study of the British Education System: Sir Syed visited England in the year 1869. He made a good use of this opportunity by visiting the most prestigious of the British education institution. Upon returning, he established a committee. Sole purpose of this committee was to establish educational institution in India, conforming to the British standards.

7.                   Establishment of the MAO School: As the first step the committee, Khawastgaran-e-Taraqi-e-Taleem-e Musalmanaan-e-Hind establsihed  School at Aligarh in the year 1875. It was named “Muhammad Anglo Oriental School”.

8.                   Establishment of the MAO College:  The MAO School was upgraded to the level of college in the year 1877. Viceroy Lord Lyton laid the foundation stone of the College and donated a sum of Rupees ten thousand from his own purse.

9.                   ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MUHAMMADAN EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE: To motivate the Muslims for acquiring modern knowledge Sir Sayyid established Muhammadan Educational Conference in the year 1866. Annual meetings of the Conference were held at different important places throughout India. The Muslim League was founded in 1906, in annual meeting of the Conference held at DACCA.

10.               Political Services and the Two Nation Theory: Sir Sayyid’s services in the field of politics are highly meritorious, two are the most significant

a)                  As a member of the Imperial Legislative Council he took up the Indian problems very effectively with the Indian Government.

b)                  In the year 1867, the Hindus of Benaras launched a movement to demand that Urdu should be replaced by Hindi as official language. Sir Sayyid who was great protagonist of Hindu-Muslim unity got utterly disappointed at this unfriendly gesture. His demand for separate electorate was a direct corollary of such Hindu overtures. He demanded that the number of Muslim seats in the Viceroy’s Council should be fixed; the Hindu voters should elect Hindu members, while the Muslim members should be elected on by the Muslims.