Sir Syed Ahmad Khan - Encouraging Western Education

Reasons for this Work

• After 1857, the Muslim community was subject to discrimination at the hands of the British, whilst others were supported. For example, the Hindus had decided that they should work with the British. So, they were keen to learn the English language and to acquire a British education in the subcontinent. This helped them to gain employment and to make progress in society. By 1871, there were 711 Hindus in government employment compared with only 92 Muslims.
• The Hindu Movement gained strength as more and more Hindus received education in the new schools, colleges and universities which were springing up. This increased confidence among Hindus also led them to view Muslims with an increasing lack of respect.
• Sir Syed Ahmad Khan took steps to change Muslim attitudes towards receiving British education. In doing this, he came into conflict with the ulama. They believed that the acceptance of Western scientific and technological ideas might undermine Islamic beliefs. Sir Syed believed that the Holy Quran emphasised the need to study and that an understanding of modern scientific beliefs actually helped reveal the full majesty of God.

Achievements

• Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq:

To gain support for his views, Sir Syed set up an Urdu journal called ‘Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq’. This journal contained articles from influential Muslims who agreed with Sir Syed that there was a need for a new approach to education. Although some ulama attacked the journal, it played a major part in bringing about an intellectual revolution amongst Muslim thinkers.

• Scientific Society:

In 1863, Sir Syed founded the Scientific Society at Ghazipore. Its main purpose was to make scientific writings available to a wider market by translating them from English, Persian or Arabic into Urdu. When he was transferred to Aligarh in 1864, he continued his work and, in 1866, began issuing a journal called the ‘Aligarh Institute Gazette’. It helped reduce Muslim hatred towards British as they read about scientific works and realized that they were more than just invaders and had done a lot for humanity through scientific inventions.

• Schools & Visit to England:

Sir Syed had already shown his commitment to expanding educational opportunities when he opened a school in Muradabad in 1859. In 1864, he opened another school in Ghazipore.

In 1869, Sir Syed travelled to England to study the university system there. He dreamed of setting up a university for Muslims in the subcontinent. He was very impressed by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and hoped to set up an educational institution based on their model. However, on returning home, he found that his plans were often met with suspicion. He could not start with a university straight away. So, instead he decided to begin with a school.

• Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College:

Sir Syed set up a committee which toured the country raising funds for a new Muslim school. On 24 May 1874, the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was set up in Aligarh on the pattern of the English public school system. The British would not allow it to be affiliated with a Muslim university outside British territory, so, for the moment it could not become the Muslim University the Sir Syed wanted.

The college offered both Western and Indian education, though Islamic education was also provided. It became much more than an educational institution. In the days before the Muslim League, it became a symbolic Muslim unity. Many of the future leaders of Pakistan, such as Liaquat Ali Khan and Ayub Khan, were educated there and some historians have commented that the college was the institution which contributed more than any other to the formation of Pakistan. In 1920, the college became the University of Aligarh.

• Muhammadan Educational Conference:

However, Sir Syed’s work in education did not end with the formation of the College. He wanted to publicize the new educational methods being used at Aligarh and establish schools in other places of the subcontinent. So, in 1886, he set up the Muhammadan Educational Conference. Its aim was to raise educational standards among the Muslims. It held meetings at a number of cities across the subcontinent and sub-committees were formed in many places. The Conference attracted famous orators and writers and also played a major role in establishing a political platform for Muslims, in the days before the formation of the Muslim League.