Raja Ram Mohan Roy, known as the “Maker of Modern India” and “Father of the Bengal Renaissance”, advocated the study of English, Science, Western Medicine and Technology. For this objective he established Hindu College in Kolkata in 1817. His progressive views were bitterly opposed by the orthodox Hindus. However, after some years his “unorthodox views of advocating Westernised education prevailed and helped India and Bengal become modernised”.
Syed Ahmad Khan, born on 17 October, 1817 (the year of the establishment of Hindu College), founded the Muslim School in 1875 with the same ideas and objectives as those of Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Sir Syed was also bitterly opposed by a section of Muslims. Both Syed and Roy, the great reformers of their times, were abused by religious bigots but undeterred, they did not surrender to them. Fortunately, Hindu opposition died down after sometime but unfortunately Muslim opposition continued for a longer time. The result was obvious. Muslims lagged behind their Hindu brothers in modern education.
Sir Syed Ahmed championed the cause of modern education at a time when all the Indians in general and Indian Muslims in particular, considered it a sin to get modern education through the English language. It was in this context that Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru described Sir Syed as “an ardent reformer who wanted to reconcile modern scientific thought with religion by rationalistic interpretations and not by attacking the basic belief. He was anxious to push new education. He was in no way communally separatist. Repeatedly he emphasised that religious differences should have no political and national significance.” (Discovery of India)
Similar views were expressed by Mr. I.K. Gujral, former Prime Minister of India, when he stated: “Sir Syed’s vision and his laborious efforts to meet the demands of challenging times are highly commendable. The dark post-1857 era was indeed hopeless and only men like Raja Mohan Roy and Sir Syed could penetrate through its thick veil to visualise the nation’s destinies. They rightly believed that the past had its merits and its legacies were valuable but it was the future that a society was called upon to cope with. I offer my homage to Sir Syed for his vision and courage that withstood all obstructions both from the friends and the foes.” (Message to Sir Syed Scientific Society, Lucknow)
The great visionary Iqbal expressed his opinion that “the real greatness of the man (Sir Syed) consists in the fact that he was the first Indian Muslim who felt the need of a fresh orientation of Islam and worked for it.”
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad expressed similar views: “Sir Syed had established at Aligarh not only a college but an intellectual and cultural centre in tune with the progressive spirit of the times.”
Mr. Somnath Chatterjee also made the observation that “Sir Syed wanted the College (now transformed into this University), to act as a bridge between the old and the new and the East and the West. He actively advocated the necessity of modern and scientific education. He wanted that the students of the college should preach the gospel of free enquiry, of large-hearted toleration and of pure morality.” (Address to Aligarh students, 2001)
India was passing through a very difficult period after the failure of so-called 1857 Mutiny. British rulers became more confident of their Raj over the country as they had planned meticulously to divide the Indians on the basis of their religion. But Sir Syed cautioned people, particularly Muslims, against their designs. He declared: “Remember the words Hindu and Muslim are only meant for religious distinction: otherwise all persons who reside in this country belong to one and the same nation.” He considered Hindus and Muslims to be the two eyes of a bride who would look miserable if one is lost or weakened. Thus highly secular in his approach, he pleaded to Muslims to be more practical, rational and aware of the changing society. Old values of education had become outdated in his opinion. He wanted Muslims to have scientific temper and modern attitude in life and for this he asked them to learn Science and Engineering, the subjects which unfortunately became alien to them.
He founded the School in Aligarh for this purpose in May 1875 with barely 50 students on roll. He left his government job and settled down in Aligarh to fight for the battle against those who were deadly against the English ‘Talim’ (education). In the process, Sir Syed had to swallow insults and decrees of some misguided Muslims who denounced him as a slave of English masters.
Undaunted and unconcerned with the abuses he received, Sir Syed dedicated himself towards the cause of education. His voice ultimately made a dent in the Indian social structure and Hindus and Muslims of the country helped him in large numbers to further his cause.
Sir Syed firmly believed that “acquisition of knowledge of science and technology is the only solution to the problems of Muslims.” Through Aligarh Institute Gazette, Sir Syed succeeded in agitating the minds in the traditional Muslim society. The dream of Sir Syed, i.e., the Aligarh Muslim University, produced intellectuals in large numbers who served the country in various capacities. No one can forget persons like Dr. Zakir Husain and Dr. Syed Mahmood, the products of Aligarh, who adorned the high offices of the country.
Sir Syed felt the necessity to harmonise Islamic society with modern science and rationalism. He wanted Muslims to develop a spirit of enquiry and research because in his opinion “Islam was no barrier to scientific inquiry and social progress”. In the opinion of Sir Syed, “superstitious beliefs and the aversion to Western education were the main causes for the backwardness of the Indian Muslims”. In all his actions and beliefs of modernism, pluralism, religious unity and scientific temper, Sir Syed was a true follower of Raja Ram Mohan Rai. Both hated bigotry and intolerance and fought hard against the social and religious decadence, ignorance and superstition. Both wanted to modernise India intellectually and spiritually. Yes, they are the Symbols of Indian Renaissance and Makers of Modern India.
VISION OF SIR SYED
Here are some of the popular quotes of Sir Syed which show his vision:
“Sons (of MAO College, later AMU) shall go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land to preach the message of free inquiry, of large hearted toleration and of pure morality.”
“Acquisition of knowledge of science and technology is the only solution to the problems of Muslims.”
“Get rid of old and useless rituals. These rituals hinder human progress.”
“Superstition cannot be the part of iman (faith).”
“The first requisite for the progress of a nation is the brotherhood and unity among sections of the society.”
“Yes, the main purpose of this college (MAO) is to impart modern education to Muslims who are suffering because of lack of it but this institution is for all, Hindus and Muslims alike. Both of them need education.”
“We (Hindus and Muslims) eat the same crop, drink water from the same rivers and breathe the same air. As a matter of fact Hindus and Muslims are the two eyes of the beautiful bride that is Hindustan. Weakness of any one of them will spoil the beauty of the bride (dulhan).”
“We (Hindus and Muslim) have evolved a new language Urdu.”
“I wish that youth of India should follow the example of young men and women of England who are religiously engaged in the hard work of industrial development of their country (Sir Syed during his stay in England).”
“Look forward, learn modern knowledge, do not waste time in studies of old subjects of no value.”
“Show your face as the follower of true Islam representing character, knowledge, tolerance and piety.”
“We should not (by remaining ignorant and illiterate) tarnish the image of our able elders.”
“All human beings are our brothers and sisters. Working for their welfare is obligatory for Muslims.”
“Remember that the words Hindu and Muslim are only meant for religious distinction: otherwise all persons who reside in this country belong to one and the same nation.”
“Strengthen Aligarh Movement for the betterment of the Community.”
[The writer is Retd. Scientist (Deputy Director), National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. Email: [email protected]]