Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

Syed Ahmad Khan (1817-1898): 

An Educationist And Reformer Of South Asia 

Abstract 

After they spearheaded the First War of Independence (1857), the condition of the Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent was pathetic and abject. The Muslims were subjected to a concerted campaign of persecution by the British, who identified them as the only potential threat to their new Indian Empire. The decimation of the Muslim population and the destruction of their political institutions and power were accompanied by a spiritual and intellectual crisis unprecedented in the history of Islam in South Asia until the emergence of Syed Ahmad Khan. At that critical juncture he came forward as a savior of the Muslim community and a defender of the integrity of indigenous Indian intellectual life. He adopted a cautious, pragmatic and long-term approach; abandoning the romantic illusions and unfounded sense of superiority of the pre-‘Mutiny’ days, he acknowledged the material weakness of the native civilization compared to the colonial authorities, thus he advised the Muslims to be loyal to the British pro tem and to devote themselves and gain modern education for the socio-economic upliftment of the community. This paper highlights the contributions of Syed Ahmad Khan and his pragmatic approach towards the problems and wellbeing of Muslims for their future, which changed the fate of the Indian Subcontinent. 

Introduction 

The conditions of the Muslims of Indian Sub-continent were very pathetic especially after the war of Independence in 1857. The consequences were disastrous for whole of the country but the Muslims were targeted particularly. Britishers started persecuting Muslims in every field as they grabbed the power from them and considered that the Muslims were the only threat to their power. They blamed Muslims the sole force behind the rebellion. Indeed, the darkest and awful period started for the Muslims of India. As recorded by Garratt and Thompson: 

“The Mohammedans were packed up by the British in pigskins and pork's fat was applied on them. Their bodies were charred and the Hindus were compelled to defile them”. 

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