In the middle of Nineteenth century, the Indian Muslims confronted
with the crucial problems of the devastation of the long 800 years
of Mughal Dynasty/ Muslim’s rule and concomitant colonial expansion
of the British in India. The failure of the Revolt of 1857/ Mutiny/
First War of Independence exacerbated plight of the Indian
Muslims. In post-1857 India, several forces- both external as well
as internal - were working against the Muslims in India. The Britishers’
retaliatory havoc in post-1857, colonial domination in the transformed
historical situation and the darkness of ignorance engulfed
the Indian Muslims. The condition of Muslims was deplorable as
they were most backward in education and economically shattered
and politically defeated by the East India Company. The entire community
was distressed and helpless, and their culture, identity and
existence were at stake in Hindustan. At that critical juncture, Sir
Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898), confronting the situation and negotiating
with colonial modernity, came forward with western
modern science and English education in one hand and the light
of the Quran on the other hand to offer a solution to the Muslim
community from this decadence. Syed Ahmed was a distinguished
scholar, philosopher, historian, Islamic reformer, educationist, political
ideologue, archaeologist, lawyer and a humanist who transformed
socio-political, cultural situation of Muslims in post- 1857
India. He was primarily concerned about the socio-cultural issues
and modern education of the Indian Muslims. With a view to modernizing
and uplifting the socio-cultural and economic status of the
Muslims, he laid the foundation of Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental
College (1975), which was later transformed into Aligarh Muslim
University (1920). Aligarh Muslim University has been serving as a
socio-cultural Movement for protecting and preserving the cultural
heritage and religious identity of the Indian Muslims. |