Sir Syed Ahmad Khan - The Visionary Who Gave Us the Great Seat of Learning, Aligarh Muslim University, Which Transformed Lives of Millions
By Saadat Bilal Khaki
October 17,
2020
L to
R: Nawab Mohsinul Mulk, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Justice Syed Mahmood (Pic Credits:
Internet)
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The Aligarh
Muslim University came into being on 14 September 1920 by The Aligarh Muslim
University Act. (Act No XL 1920) from Mohammaden Anglo Oriental College (MAO
College) founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan at Aligarh. Hundred years down the line
in history, Aligs (pass outs from the University) all across the globe are
celebrating the Centenary celebrations (100 years) of the alma mater where the
monumental buildings in the campus having historical importance (nowadays
serving as different departments and many as residential hostels) stand witness to the century of glory and
pride; to the efforts of those men under the dynamic leadership of Sir Syed
Ahmad Khan who dreamed about transforming lives of millions by ways of
imparting modern education. The Aligarh Muslim University stands there with 100
years of dignity, honor and esteem. The Aligarh Movement and the University
finds inseparable place in the Indian history with particular reference to
Indian National Movement which finds its roots deeply embedded in it. With the
creation of this University, the new era of educational maturity started in the
Indian Sub-continent where the ignorant masses were made to understand the
importance of education which later changed the political landscape of the
whole Sub-continent. While Aligs across the globe are celebrating hundred years
of Aligarh Muslim University this year, in 2020, it’s also imperative to
celebrate 17th October which Aligs know by Sir Syed Day with same fervor,
pride, honour and dignity by remembering the greatest works he did for the
uplift of the downtrodden.
Also Read: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: Man with a
Noble Mission
Sir Syed
Ahmad Khan was born in Delhi to a middle class, pious family on 17th October
1817 and got many honours from the British including Knighthood, Knight
Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI), Khan Bahadur and LL.D
Honoris causa from the Edinburg University for his selfless services towards
the society. His only ambition was to make educationally backward society
equipped with modern education so that they can compete with modern world in
science and technology. “He was highly disappointed by the political situation
in the aftermath of the Revolt of 1857 with pathetic conditions particularly of
Muslims and felt deeply pained to see the educational backwardness dominating
the masses. It was the time when the British imperialism had firmly gripped
India and the fall of Mughal Empire had an impact on the Muslims as they were
suspected of masterminding the 1857 Revolt, hence subjected to ill treatment
and other harsh punishments. By careful analysis of the situation in the
backdrop of this revolt, and with British at the helm of affairs, he foresaw
that the modern education was the only tool to uplift the condition of
educationally backward masses. Only a person who is having full knowledge of
science and theology can compete and have pace with modern world.
Also
Read: The Joy of Hope:
Hope, an Integral Part of Our Islamic Faith, Must Stay With Us from Cradle to
Grave
In his
famous speech at the foundation of MAO College on 08th January 1877, he said,
“From the seed which we sow today, there may spring up a mighty tree, whose
branches, shall in their turn strike firm roots into the earth, and themselves
send forth new and vigorous saplings” to his last message as engraved on a big
sandstone pillar which stands tall in one of the University Circle’s he clearly
says, “Oh my dear children, you have reached a particular stage, and remember
one thing that when I undertook the task, there was criticism all around
against me, abuses were hurled upon me, life had become so difficult for me
that I aged before my age, I lost my hairs, my eyesight, but not my vision.
My vision
never dimmed, my determination never failed, I built this institution for you
and I am sure, you will carry the light of this institution far and wide,
darkness will disappear from all around”. This summarizes his lifetime struggle
and achievements as well. The first speech at the foundation of MAO College
reflects his belief in his ideas, dedication, honesty, sincerity,
farsightedness, and clarity of vision. In his last message where he felt that
he had reached the milestone and set up the path, it is quite evident that how
turbulent his years of struggle would have been but he safeguarded his vision
with honesty and watered the seeds of his belief with sincerity and hard work.
His last message is full of pain inflicted to him by his critics, full of pride
acknowledging the support and belief of his friends they put in him with
foundation of MAO College and last part of the message is laced with hope where
he is entrusting future generations with a responsibility of safeguarding this
institute by following his advice; competiting with modern world with wisdom.
His ideas about education were based on teachings of theology, science and
morality where he greatly focused on moral education as well.
Also
Read: Travelogue: A
Musafir (Traveller) To London
Though he
was himself better placed at different positions across his professional career
but educational backwardness among people pained him all the time. His was a
firm belief that competitions can be won only with knowledge (both religious as
well as worldly). His thoughts transcended religious orthodoxy of the times
when learning English language was considered as blasphemous, hence attracting
criticism. He was initially posted at Muradabad where he worked in Court and
always remained busy in thoughts about uplifting the social and educational
life of the backward society. Apart from being punctual in his professional
duties, he set up a school based on his ideas there in Muradabad in year 1858,
a year after Revolt. This is the first practical thing on which he started to
work and five years later in 1863 he set up another school in Ghazipur. Setting
schools and convincing people to send their children for modern education was
met with great criticism owing to educational backwardness as only few realized
the true message, but this did not shatter his ideas rather made him grow
stronger day by day. In the year 1864 he started “Scientific Society” at
Aligarh where he entrusted scholars to translate the great scientific works
into Urdu and Hindi to make it understandable to masses as English not only by
ways of imperialism but by language was also considered as a social taboo. The
translations of the scientific works were to minimize the gaps and filling the
voids, which orthodox ways of life had created between science and theology.
This was the foundations for “Aligarh Movement” with its main objective as
establishment of modern system of education with establishing Mohammaden Anglo
Oriental College (MAO), which later turned to be a University.
File
photo of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan | Commons
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On 17th
October, 2020 – 203rd birthday of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan – the Aligs from Jammu
& Kashmir stand in unison with millions of Aligs across the world to pay
rich tributes to Founding Father of our Alma mater, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, and his associates who believed
in him in those turbulent times when he was transforming his ideas into
actions. We are thankful to those great men and great women of the times who
stayed like a rock behind the visionary man and gave us the great seat of
learning which has transformed lives of millions. As a tribute, Majaz Laucknowi
has rightly summarized it as:
Sham Dar
Sham Jalaingay Teray Yaadou Kai Chirag
Nasal Dar
Nasal Tera Dard Numaya Hoga
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Saadat Bilal Khaki has studied Geology at
Aligarh Muslim University.
Original Headline: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and 100
Years of AMU
Source: The Greater Kashmir
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/sir-syed-ahmad-khan-visionary/d/123181
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