Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was one of
the most illustrious Muslim educationalists, writers and social reformers. Born
in Delhi in 1817, he hailed from a distinguished land-owned family.
Sir Syed had no formal education
at any educational institutions. Through self-study, he accomplished himself in
major branches of learning and became one of the most well-read men of his
days.
Sir Syed was born at a time when
the people of the Sub-continent in general and Muslims in particular were
passing through a critical juncture. For nearly half a century, Sir Syed
struggled against the apathy and despondency that had settled upon the Muslims
in the post-1857 era. He managed to take them out of the abyss, give them a
national identity, bring clarity to their thought, and put them on the road to
progress and freedom.
Sir Syed was one of those early
pioneers who recognized the critical role of education in the social, economic
and political revival of Muslims. The Aligarh Movement' was his greatest
achievement. He founded the Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College (MAO) at Aligarh
in 1877. The MAO College, which aimed at a confluence of traditional learning
and modern sciences, was elevated to become Aligarh muslim University in 1920.
The 'Aligarh Movement actively
motivated the Muslim to spread a network of Muslim-managed educational
institutions throughout the Sub-continent. For this purpose, Sir Syed founded
'All India Muslim Educational Conference' and remained its Secretary till 1897.
These efforts helped in awakening the Muslims and infusing in them social and
political awareness.
Sir Syed was nominated as member
of the Imperial Legislative Council in 1878 and re-nominated in 1881, but he
resigned in 1883. He also served as a Member of the Education Commission, but
resigned due to his differences with Chairman W.W. Hunter.
Sir Syed was among the
intellectual pioneers of Muslim nationalism and freedom in the Sub-continent.
His ideas greatly influenced the vast array of Muslim inrellectuals, scholars,
politicians, poets, writers and journalists. The graduates of Aligarh were
among those who played the role of a vanguard in the movement for Pakistan. Sir
Syed is thus counted among the founding fathers of Pakistan.
Sir Syed accomplished several
scholarly works on a wide range of subjects during his life-time. His study of
the events of 1857. "Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind", is still considered a
seminal work. His study of the monuments of Delhi, "Asar-al-Sanadid",
is regarded as classic of archeology. In his "Series of Essays on the Life
of Muhammad" (PBUH), Sir Syed wrote a response to the negative account of
the Prophet's life by William Muir.
Sir Syed is also the author of
'Tahqeeq-e-Lafze Nassara', 'Tabayyun-ul-Kalam', 'Strictures upon the Present
Educational System in India' Hunter's Indian Musalmans', 'On the Present State
of Indian Politics', 'Musalmanan Ki Kismat Ka Faisala', and 'Sirat-e-Faridia'
Sir Syed was also a pioneer in the field of Urdu journalism. his 'Tahzeebul-Akhlaq'
and Aligarh Institute Gazette were important contributions in this regard.
Sir Syed had started work on a
commentary on the Holy Quran. He had completed 7 volumes when he fell ill and
could not live long enough to complete it. He passed away in 1898.
On the occasion of 200th Birth Anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 10/- and Souvenir Sheet of Rs.20/- denominations are being issued by Pakistan Post on October 17, 2017.
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