Pakistan Studies

1. SIR SYED AHMED KHAN
Introduction:
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was born on 17 oct 1817 in Delhi India. He was well known muslim
reformer, educator and politician. He received convential education but was pioneer in
introducing modern education for the indian muslim community.
He studied persian, arabic, mathematics and medicine along with the Quran. After his
father’s death , khan joined the east india company as a clerk and gradually got promoted to
became a judge of the small court. Khan propelled the Aligarh movement , which was basically a
educational venture. He established several schools and among them Mohammadan Anglo
Oriental collage which later develop into the Aligarh Muslim University in prominent.
Services:
Sir Syed was the founder of Aligarh Movement which checked the decline of the muslims in
political , social , educational and economic spheres.
i)Educational sevices:
He was the first muslim leader who realised the importance of education for his people
he opened many educational institutions and societies which revolutionised the life of the
muslims.
 School of Muradabad 1859.
 School of Ghazipur 1867.
 M.A.O high school 1875.
 M.A.O collage 1877.
 Aligarh university 1920.
ii)Political services:
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan played vital role in politics in order to defend the rights of the muslims.
His services are as under :
 After the War of Independence 1857, sir Syed compiled a pamphlet entitled Rasala-i-
Asbab-e-Baghawat-i-Hind, in which he explained to the British that the Muslims were
not the only force behind the catastrophe of 1857
 He is regarded as one of the greatest exponents of Two-Nation theory because after the
Hindu-Urdu controversy he was convinced that Hindus were not sincere towards the
Muslims.
iii) Sir Syed’s Literary Works:
Sir Syed Ahmed khan was not only a prominent educationalist but also a capable author. His
writings include the following:
• Rasala-i-Asbab-e-Baghawat-i-Hind

2. • Tabeen-Ul-Kalam
• Kutbat-e-Ahmadiyah
• Risalah Tehzib-Ul-Akhlaq
iv) Sir Syed’s Social Services:
Sir Syed wanted that Muslims of the Sub-continent should get an honourable position in the
Hindu dominated society. For this purpose he not only opened many schools but also
established an orphanage at Muradabad to provide refuge to the orphan Muslim children. In
fact his whole life revolved round his desire for the betterment of his community.
Conclusion:
In the pretext of above mentioned efforts of Sir Syed we come to know that he took the
responsibility of the renaissance of Muslim glory and to achieve its destination he guided the
Muslim ship to a right direction and took it to a definite position where Muslims could mould
their lives according to the pristine principles of Islam. Undoubtedly, Sir Syed’s Aligarh
Movement was the pioneer of two-nation theory which injected life in the
dormant(slumbering) body of Muslim nation. He restored confidence among Muslims and
fought for their political, religious, cultural, social and economic rights. He died on 27th March
1898.