Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

(1817 – 1898)
Note: The following table is for students to practice 7 mark questions.

Improving British Muslim Relationship

Identification Description Analysis
In this pamphlet he gave detail account of Therefore, they urged upon the British to
The Loyal Muhammedan of the loyal services which Muslims had given end their hostility.
India and discussed various Muslims who had
shown particular loyalty to the British.
In this pamphlet, he pointed the main Therefore, his pamphlet helped to
Essay on the causes of reasons for the WOI e.g. less convince the British that were wrong n
Indian Revolt representation of Indians in the putting the full blame of uprising on
government, forcible religious conversion Muslims so their sympathy grew and
etc. decrease their hostilities towards Muslim
community.
SSAK cleared the The British thought that the word was an Thus, SSAK cleared the misunderstanding
misunderstanding over the insult but SSAK pointed that the word of this term as it was a reflection of
word “Nadarath” came from positive image “Nasir” which positive image that Muslim had for
meaning helper. British.
SSAK wrote a book title He wrote a commentary on Bible and Holy Therefore, his efforts proved worthwhile
“Tabyin ul Kalam”, a Quran and highlighted the similarities for improving British Muslim relation.
commentary on Bible & between Islam and Christianity.
Holy Quran
The British had less knowledge about Islam Therefore, he tried to convince British
Correcting errors of English and prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He that their knowledge about Islam and
book on the life of prophet wanted to correct the errors of the book Prophet was limited and they needed to
Muhammad PBUH which he had read about the life of Holy remove misunderstanding.
Prophet.
He established British It was a platform where members of both This helped to improve the level of
Indian Association the community could interact with each cooperation and understanding between
other and could discuss the various issues. the two communities.
Educational Services
He wrote a journal The journal included articles from Thus, this journal played a major part in
‘Tehzeeb-ul-Iqhlaq’ influential Muslims who agreed with SSAK bringing an intellectual revolution among
that there a need for new approach the Muslim.
regarding education.
He founded Scientific Its main purpose was to make scientific Hence, majority of Muslims started to
Society at Ghazipur in 1863 writing available by translating into Urdu, take interest in scientific education.
Arabic or Persian from English. So that Thus, knowledge for science improved.
Muslims understand and acquire scientific
knowledge.
He opened a school to In these schools education was imparted Therefore, these efforts of SSAK showed
provide education to upon religious and scientific lines. The main his commitment towards expanding
Muslims (school in purpose for imparting education in these educational opportunities for Muslims.
Muradabad & Ghazipur) schools was to uplift Muslim community.
Muhammedan Anglo This school provided Western and Islamic Therefore, this school/institution proved
Oriental School & College Education on the pattern of English School beneficial for Muslims as it provided
in 1875 & 1877 System. quality education to the Muslims of India
which would later help them in acquiring
better jobs.
Secondly, this became a symbol of unity
for Muslims in absence of Muslim League.
Thirdly, many future leaders of Pakistan
such as Liaquat Ali Khan, Ayub Khan were
from this institution.
Therefore, this helped to improve
He set up Muhammedan Its aim was to publicize the new educational standard of Muslims.
Educational Conference educational methods which were to be Secondly this conference also played a
used by MAO school & college major role in establishment of Muslim
political platform before the
establishment of Muslim League. It was
after its 20th session in Dec 1906 at Dhaka
that its major leaders gathered to form
the 1st political party of the Muslim by the
name of All India Muslim League.
Political Services
Formation of Indian Although this organization claimed to be Therefore, this alarmed SSAK and he
National Congress in 1885 the representative of all Indian but in advised Muslims not to join it and like
reality it was working for Hindus’ interest this he tried to prate Muslims from
only. Hindus exploitation.
Congress demanded Although, this sounded fair but since there Therefore, SSAK opposed this and
political system in India were four times as many Hindus as suggested to British that Muslims should
based British Line Muslims they would win every election. be given separate electorates in the
council so that they could have enough
political representation.
Congress demanded Since Muslims were not receiving a similar Therefore, SSAK opposed this idea and
competitive examinations status of education to that given to the insisted the British that Muslims should
for government jobs Hindus. This would greatly disadvantage be given separate seats in the
for them. government for jobs so that they would
not be politically and economically
handicapped.
Hindi Urdu controversy In 1867, the Hindus wanted to replace Therefore, this attempt made SSAK to
Urdu which was the cultural language of realize that Hindus wanted to dominate
Muslims with Hindi. Muslims and so he opposed this.
Secondly this controversy forced him to
give the ‘Two Nation Theory’ which later
became the base of Pakistan Movement.
SSAK established This was established to counter congress Therefore, it helped in protecting
“Muhammedan Defense propaganda against Muslims. Muslims’ interest as there was no
Association”. political party of Muslims at that time.

Ms. Nuzhat
APSIS Hamza